Replacing a Suburban water hater (SW12DE). Removing and replacing seemed pretty straight forward, however... Upon removing the old unit, there were four wires that had to be disconnected from the RV itself: 1-red/red 2-green/green 3-blue/blue 4-white/orange New unit does not have the orange wire...No idea where or what the white wire going into the RV is for.

I replaced mine a couple of years ago and if I remember some wire colors did not match, but I took photos before I disconnected anything. I doubt I still have the photos, but if I do I will edit this blog and try to send you the pics if you need them. I have a 10 gal elect/propane. Is yours the same?

I think I may have edited my post to include a url of the photo's I took.Thank you for your reply sir!...

^ I don't see a pic. Just google rv.net photoposting for an easy to follow link.

Your picturesHere is the Suburban manual. Maybe page 11 figures 10 and 11 will help understand the wiring. Suburban manual

Thanks for the tip...Here is the photo link:

Replacement of Suburban water heater... | Good Sam Community

Retired_404
Explorer
Oct 27, 2022
Returned and reordered the DEL model...
Got it in today...
Thanks for all...
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 23, 2022
BRAIN FART BIG TIME. Just remove the OLD relay and relay container and install on new W/H. Simple and no need for additional parts. This way your inside 120 and LP switches will function. Doug
BB_TX
Nomad
Oct 23, 2022
Or if you wanted to continue to use the inside 12 vdc switch as is, buy a relay with a 12 vdc coil and contacts rated to handle the 120 vac and rated current of the heating element, mount it at the water heater, and wire it in the same as if it came with one.
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 20, 2022
Your NEW unit. Remove the BLACK wire that is stripped. Then remove the BLACK wire with the spade terminal on the relay and strip to wire nut to the 120 feed wire. Doug
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 20, 2022
Your old switch will operate the LP side just fine. Just cap off that white wire. The switch you just posted is the dsi LP switch with NO 120 switch. ALL your original 120 side switch did was send a 12 volt pos signal to the orange wire to close the 120 12 volt operated relay. Just connect the BLACK 120 HOT wire to the BLACK on the new heater. Connect the large WHITE(neutral) wire to the WHIT Neutral on the new heater. Ground lug is obvious. You will be bypassing the relay assbly. Doug
Retired_404
Explorer
Oct 20, 2022
https://parts.unitedrv.com/products/nautilus-series-water-heater-on-off-switch-suburban-white
Retired_404
Explorer
Oct 20, 2022
Yep, the seller, has not returned my calls. No doubt I'd have to pay return shipping and then pay more for the DEL model, I'm just going to mount a switch inside the cargo compartment just next to the hot water compartment.... or use the existing (red-green-blue) wiring from the for a new switch on the control panel.
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 19, 2022
https://www.amazon.com/Suburban-5248A-Sw12Del-Gal-Elec/dp/B06Y1BNKDD/ref=sr_1_2?gclid=CjwKCAjwwL6aBhBlEiwADycBIM0wWS4VbixbjutjG_g7ijNPoT-PVt1Mf7CHIT2Y-Oi90psCoaHs_RoCAQMQAvD_BwE&hvadid=346240721738&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9027230&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=7714291813434175183&hvtargid=kwd-384393887708&hydadcr=8084_10893137&keywords=suburban+sw12del+water+heater&qid=1666194680&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIyLjYzIiwicXNhIjoiMi40MSIsInFzcCI6IjIuNTIifQ%3D%3D&sr=8-2&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.ac578592-0362-4e0a-958c-0f2dd61d30d4
dougrainer
Nomad
Oct 19, 2022
If you can return it and get the correct model, that is your best option. BUT, If you have to pay return shipping and the correct cost a lot more, then use this model and control from the outside switch. Doug
Retired_404
Explorer
Oct 19, 2022
Doug, thank you for the clarification.
My new unit is the Suburban Sw12de (5247a).
I guess my next question is what are my options?
-Return this unit (thought was a good deal @ $559 and free shipping)
-replace the control panel
-use this unit and control it from outside

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