Forum Discussion

DesertTracker's avatar
DesertTracker
Explorer
Oct 23, 2017

Suburban SW6DE Operation

I typically dry camp, but this weekend had a spot with hookups so I was finally going to get to use the electric function on the water heater. Dry camping is always the gas function. Once hooked up I pulled out the manual which was no help whatsoever. All I have is an on/off switch on the control panel. There is a circuit breaker and a switch on the water heater itself, which has always been off. When hooked to shore power, do I just switch the breaker and switch on and both gas and electric heat the water? Seems simple, but without a decent manual, I just want to make sure I'm not going to break something. This weekend, I just left the switch on the heater and the breaker off and used gas as always. Thanks for any advice.
  • Ron3rd's avatar
    Ron3rd
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2017
    byronlj wrote:
    For electric only function. Turn your breaker on and also the outside switch on the lower left of your water heater. The inside switch is for propane operation only. Note: make sure you turn off that outside switch when done or at least before the water heater is drained.
    Dave


    So for electric function only, you can leave the inside switch off?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2017
    DesertTracker wrote:
    Thanks for the replies. So I just leave the switch on the monitor panel off when using electricity? Gas and electric do not work together?


    Switch on monitoring panel.......

    IF you have only ONE then it is for 'GAS' operation
    IF you have TWO then one is for GAS/with Fault Light and One is for electric PLUS the one in outside compartment (both electric switches would need to be ON to heat using element)


    Suburban....all models (EXCEPT 'DEL')
    Electric has own controls (120V AC Power source/on-off switch/Hi-Normal Temp T-stats-element
    Gas has own controls (12V DC power source/on-off switch/Hi-Normal Temp T-stats/control module/burner-gas valve)

    IF you want fastest recovery......Use Gas AND electric at same time
    Electric only.........roughly 6 gal/hr recovery from COLD water
    Propane only..........roughly 10 gal/hr recovery from COLD water
    Electric/Propane......roughly 16 gal/hr recovery from COLD water
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2017
    DesertTracker wrote:
    So I just leave the switch on the monitor panel off when using electricity? Gas and electric do not work together?


    If you want quicker recovery of course you can run both modes together at the same time.
  • DesertTracker's avatar
    DesertTracker
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2017
    Thanks for the replies. So I just leave the switch on the monitor panel off when using electricity? Gas and electric do not work together?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 23, 2017
    YEP^^^^^^^

    Suburban OEM Electric On/Off switch is in outside compartment and propane On/Off switch is inside with fault light

    Suburban 120V AC function is direct....120V AC circuit breaker to On/Off switch to/thru set of 120V AC t-stat (under Push to Reset cover/Left side---right side 12V DC for propane). From t-stats to element (under cover below gas valve)

    Water in WH Tank before turning electric on
    Turn off when done using.....prior to draining
  • byronlj's avatar
    byronlj
    Explorer
    Oct 23, 2017
    For electric only function. Turn your breaker on and also the outside switch on the lower left of your water heater. The inside switch is for propane operation only. Note: make sure you turn off that outside switch when done or at least before the water heater is drained.
    Dave

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