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Brancor's avatar
Brancor
Explorer
Feb 06, 2016

Suburban SW6P Water Heater

Question here, Newbie to travel trailer here. First time water heater owner in a camper. Dealer has not responded to calls or emails. I have a 2016 Keystone Springdale Summerland Mini 1800BH. I just have a question on what I need to do to make sure my WH works correctly. I removed the bottom bunk mattress and board to see the holding tank, pump and back side of the water heater. I only see one (1) valve behind the water heater. The camper is winterized currently by the dealer. Not sure how upload a pic to show what I am asking. I can email it if need too. Between the red pipe and blue pipes for the hot and cold, there is a blue pipe that connections those to those pipes, the valve is at the bottom of that on the cold water connections. That valve is running with the connector pipe. When it is time to start to use this WH, do I need to turn that? If so, only after I have un-winterized the camper?

Updated pic link??
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Thanks
Newbie....
  • Yes, after de-winterizing/flushing, turn the valve so it's crossways to the connector pipe, and inline with the cold pipe. Do not fire up the heater until it's full of water. In the position it's in now, the valve allows the cold water to flow across into the hot water pipes while shutting off the cold flow into the heater tank. There's a check valve on the hot outlet that prevents backfeeding into the tank from the outlet piping.
  • you need to go back to dealer and finish you pre delivery class on your mh. you apparently did not get the full meal deal or you forgot some of it.
  • Sounds like you have One 3-way valve on cold inlet line.

    Valve handle parallel to cold inlet allows water to go into water heater tank (and out hot line when faucet is opened).

    Valve handle perpendicular to cold water inlet stops water from going into water heater---bypasses the water to hot outlet line and a check valve in nipple on tank at hot out stops water from going back into tank

    Here is a One 3-way valve set up for 'Normal' operation (water into water heater for heating)


    Your title states SW6P :H

    I'm surprised that a 2016 Model would use a 'pilot'
  • Thanks for the responses. Yeah, SW6P is correct on the WH.

    Here is the back of the water heater with connections. This unit is winterized with anode removed from the front side. At the bottom of the tank you can see a valve pointing up.

  • That is in 'bypass' position (no water going into WH Tank)
    Water can flow thru cold line (blue) up thru bypass line to hot line (red). Check valve in brass fitting on tank stops water from going backwards into WH Tank.

    When ready to use...turn handle 1/4 turn so handle is aligned horizontally with the cold water inlet. Water will flow into tank at bottom and out at top to hot water lines.
    Just like the one in picture I posted.

    SW6P......
    You have to turn gas control knob to pilot position/hold down and light pilot flame. Then turn gas control knob to ON position
    Just surprised RV didn't come with direct ignition vs pilot flame

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