TT appliance how-to's needed (NEWBIE ALERT)

My wife and I just purchased a 1991 Skamper.

The previous owner didn't use the camper much (due to health issues) and never used the hot water heater or furnace.

In an effort to become educated on what i have and how to use it...I appeal to the great folks here at RV.net for some schooling.

Here's what I have:

- Coleman 13,500 roof top AC unit. Seems to be working fine on shore power. I have a Honda EU2000i that I HOPE to power the AC unit boondocking. I have a Supco hard start cap to add to aid that effort. If not, I'll have to find a way to mount my Generac 500 to the rear bumper.

- Suburban SW6PE. We have only had the camper 2 weeks and have yet to use it. I don't want to chance it while not knowing how to properly use the unit. I pulled the anode rod and drained it after we got the TT. I replaced the anode rod as it was ~75% GONE. I understand that the PE indicates that it is gas and electric with a manual pilot for LP. My question is - - there is a small black rocker on/off switch near the bottom left of the outside unit. There is also a wall switch labeled WATER HEATER with a red light below it. I know that city water fills and pressurizes the tank. I just don't know what the 2 switched do. Also - I assume without city water connected, I'll need to fill the fresh water tank and then power on the on-demand pump on the control panel.

- Dometic S520.012 Silhouette refrigerator. It works on shore power. Never used on gas. No clue how to go about using it on gas either.
There is a switch on the front panel for ELEC or GAS.
EDIT - After some Googling, I think the fridge is considered a Servel brand. Clearly says by Dometic on the front control panel.
I just need to know what has to be done to run on gas (manual pilot, auto starts when I click the switch over to 'Gas', etc)

- Furnace - unknown. I have not yet looked into what type/brand of furnace we have. I was told by PO that it will light automatically when you open the gas valves and move the thermostat up.

I'm searching for user manuals for these appliances - but thought I'd also ask here.

All help/info appreciated !!

thanks
jw

16 Replies

allen8106
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
That water heater is a gas/electric model with a manual pilot light. The red light is the indicator that it is on. The switch is to turn electric power on to the water heating elements. Below is a link to the manual for that water heater.

http://dutchmen.com/image/data/documents/parts/Suburban_SW6_Water_Heater_Install_Oper_Manual.pdf

For the refrigerator there should just be a switch on the front panel that says gas/electric. Switch it to which ever you want it to run on and it should switch over automatically.
allen8106
Explorer
Jul 28, 2013
Jim-Linda wrote:
For an anode to be 75% gone and never been used is somewhat suspicious.

Jim

Not really for that old of a rig. they are designed to be sacrificial.
jwicker
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
I have a water pump switch on the control panel next to the tank sensor readouts.

The switch in question is labeled water heater.

Thanks tho.
Jw
John_Wayne
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2013
If it's over the sink could one switch be for the water pump, my water pump switches have lights that light up when the pump is on...
jwicker
Explorer
Jul 24, 2013
SailingOn wrote:
On each camper I have had lately, the water heater electric element has had two switches, plus the circuit breaker on the main panel.
A switch on the water heater itself is for maintenance, normally left on all the time.
Another switch inside the camper - in one case hidden under a cabinet, and unlabelled - is the one generally used to turn the electric element on and off.
Propane is controlled by a lighted switch on a panel near the door. A smaller indicator lights when this switch is turned on then goes off if the propane flame lights successfully.

Thanks - but there in lies my confusion.
I have a switch with a light below it on the wall above sink. Labeled Water Heater.
The switch and the light are in the same switch cover plate.
But the water heater doesn't appear to have any electric spark.

Thanks!
Jw
SailingOn
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
On each camper I have had lately, the water heater electric element has had two switches, plus the circuit breaker on the main panel.
A switch on the water heater itself is for maintenance, normally left on all the time.
Another switch inside the camper - in one case hidden under a cabinet, and unlabelled - is the one generally used to turn the electric element on and off.
Propane is controlled by a lighted switch on a panel near the door. A smaller indicator lights when this switch is turned on then goes off if the propane flame lights successfully.
jwicker
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
I found the manual for the water heater at least.
My confusion with the HWH It's the interior switch with light that isn't mentioned.
The TT manual doesn't include any appliances...so model specific OEM configs are mysteries as well.

thanks
keep the info coming.
jw
h2guy
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
I would Google the model nos you have and you should find sites that would have manuals. May take a little time to drill down thru some of the sites.
AJR
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
Wow! Those pilot instructions are the same ones I followed yesterday while turning on the water heater in my cottage.

With AC power to the camper and water in the tank. I would turn on that ON/OFF switch and see if there is hot water in ten or fifteen minutes. If not, maybe then turn on that switch inside and wait again. The TT I had used two switches in series to turn on the electric heater. One on the tank and one on a wall inside.

I know nothing about converting the LP side.
jwicker
Explorer
Jul 22, 2013
The SW6PE water heater was purchased from Camping World in 2005.

I assume it is possible that the original HWH had an electric pilot light module.
I don't see one on this unit.
Again - I'm trying to be overly cautious.

If there was an ignition system previously, but now there ins't, then do i just ignore the interior switch and light manually? (Leaving the exterior rocker switch off - unless on shore power)?
Also - can a direct (electronic) ignition be added to the PE version?
(Essentially making it a DE)

thanks
jw