Suburban SW6DE Operation

[DesertTracker]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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