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unclescratch's avatar
unclescratch
Explorer
Jul 20, 2019

water heater wiring help needed

water heater wiring need help

I have a Suburban Model SW12DE w/both gas and electric heating. I want to move the outside (at the heater) rocker switch for the electric element to a more convenient inside switch. I have suburban's relay and the inside switch that controls both gas and electric. Question: Will the red signal light on the inside switch be used at all w/the electric heating element? I understand electric circuits pretty well, but where shall I ground the 12-volt signal wire exiting the relay? I will have to bench test the relay to determine which terminals are for 12 or 110 volts, unless someone can offer me a diagram? Thanks for whatever help you can offer ! :@

5 Replies

  • unclescratch's avatar
    unclescratch
    Explorer
    Jul 24, 2019
    shastagary: Thank You! for the link to the manual. Just what I needed.

    SoundGuy: A very good solution! Thank You.

    I will go w/SoundGuy's solution so I don't need to involve the module that is part of the factory wiring.

    You forum folks are the greatest. Thanks!:B
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 20, 2019
    unclescratch wrote:
    water heater wiring need help

    I have a Suburban Model SW12DE w/both gas and electric heating. I want to move the outside (at the heater) rocker switch for the electric element to a more convenient inside switch. I have suburban's relay and the inside switch that controls both gas and electric. Question: Will the red signal light on the inside switch be used at all w/the electric heating element? I understand electric circuits pretty well, but where shall I ground the 12-volt signal wire exiting the relay? I will have to bench test the relay to determine which terminals are for 12 or 110 volts, unless someone can offer me a diagram? Thanks for whatever help you can offer ! :@


    See FULL Description of 'MOD' using the DC Switches and DC Relay in your other post on that other RV Forum
    Not going to repost here.
  • shastagary's avatar
    shastagary
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2019
    the suburban 110v switch and relay are used on the sw12del model.
    the wiring is shown on page 6 here manual
    i did as soundguy did and installed a switch with pilot light connected to the outlet my water is plugged into that works great for me.
  • bob213's avatar
    bob213
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2019
    SoundGuy has the easiest solution I have seen posted. Nice job!
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2019
    Leave the water heater as it is, with the electric heating element switch turned on, and simply add a switch in the 120 vac feed to the WH. I chose a switch with built in light and mounted it on a wall where it was easy to reach, easy to see when the on light was illuminated.

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