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Old 04-12-2018, 05:57 AM   #1
wiredgeorge
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Electric switch on hot water heater

On my Suburban SW6DE hot water heater, there is a switch on the outside to turn on the 120V electric element. The switch under the outside water heater door and buried under the burner tube and a wire and is not easy to see. It would have been great if Keystone had seen fit to locate a toggle switch inside the cabin; perhaps even a lighted switch but they didn't. Has anyone installed a 120V switch in the cabin or somewhere a human can find it? The water heater is right next to the corner (rear) sink and on the other side of the sink is the power box. On the left of the water heater is the refrigerator so I am not keen to remove the refrigerator to run wires up the side of the refrigerator box.
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Old 04-12-2018, 06:01 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wiredgeorge View Post
On my Suburban SW6DE hot water heater, there is a switch on the outside to turn on the 120V electric element. The switch under the outside water heater door and buried under the burner tube and a wire and is not easy to see. It would have been great if Keystone had seen fit to locate a toggle switch inside the cabin; perhaps even a lighted switch but they didn't. Has anyone installed a 120V switch in the cabin or somewhere a human can find it? The water heater is right next to the corner (rear) sink and on the other side of the sink is the power box. On the left of the water heater is the refrigerator so I am not keen to remove the refrigerator to run wires up the side of the refrigerator box.


We use the breaker as a switch on our old camper the new camper has a wired lighted switch are you sure it’s not just a reset switch on the tank itself?
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Old 04-12-2018, 06:23 AM   #3
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I am sure. The Suburban water heater has a switch for the propane side (lights automatically) on the monitor panel but the switch for the electric 120V side is on the unit (outside) itself.
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Old 04-12-2018, 06:25 AM   #4
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Pic of switch location... handy, huh?
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Old 04-12-2018, 07:28 AM   #5
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The switch is located there so you are sure power is off when draining the tank and it is locked out to protect element. (pin through switch) We have always used the circuit breaker to turn water heater on and off for operation on electric.
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Old 04-12-2018, 07:43 AM   #6
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Personnaly I prefer my electric heater element switch outside.. last thing I turn on when hooking up at RV park after I’m sure water heater tank is full and first thing I turn off when breaking down to tow somewhere else..
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Old 04-12-2018, 07:48 AM   #7
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I have the switch also on the water heater, but it isn't pinned. My previous unit was the same...no pin or hole for one. Not a bad idea for lock-out. Breakers are liable to fail if used as switches too often.
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:10 AM   #8
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My Laredo has both that switch and 2 on the control panel for each gas and electric operation.
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:36 AM   #9
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My Laredo has both that switch and 2 on the control panel for each gas and electric operation.
Ken, while it makes a lot of sense to put that switch up in the cabin such as your switch is located, mine isn't. I asked if anyone had installed an in-cabin switch so the outside switch wouldn't have to be used. I also know how to flip a breaker but breakers are NOT intended to be switches as they will fail if used constantly to switch power on and off.
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:48 AM   #10
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George, if you have the knowledge and ability to work with electricity your solution would be simple. Intercept the wire between the breaker and the unit and wire in a switch. An illuminated switch is readily available from home centers or online sources. If you are not competent and comfortable consult an electrician as working with ac circuits is not recommended for the novice.
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Old 04-12-2018, 08:52 AM   #11
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The switch is located there so you are sure power is off when draining the tank and it is locked out to protect element. (pin through switch) We have always used the circuit breaker to turn water heater on and off for operation on electric.
I can never fumble-finger than pin back into the lockout hole. I have to use needle nose pliers. But I pin it every time I shut it off.
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Old 04-12-2018, 11:19 AM   #12
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I replaced the same switch same heater last week maybe used the switch 10 times in 3 years . Easy fix I got my switch at car parts . I pulled the switch with wire to spear mark the two wires . The switch from car parts needed one tab ground off to fit the water heater slot .You will need your needle nose to pull the wire out .
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Old 04-12-2018, 12:13 PM   #13
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Well if I remember correctly, my in command has a switch where I can turn on electric or use propane either one without using the switch inside the heater...at least I think that's what I was told...lol!
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Old 04-12-2018, 04:14 PM   #14
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Very easy to put a lighted switch in for the water heater. I did it the last 3 5th wheels I had..........and left the outside switch on constantly. My new Montana has a switch for electric and gas inside.
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Old 04-12-2018, 06:17 PM   #15
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My outback has the switch on the water heater and a switch on the control panel. As well as a switch for propane water heater. For electric to work both switches have to be on. So I use the outside switch as a fail safe when the tank is drained.
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Old 04-12-2018, 06:28 PM   #16
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My thoughts exactly.
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Old 04-14-2018, 02:34 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RETAFCHIEF View Post
My thoughts exactly.


Suburban intended the outside electric switch as a Service switch. Many RV manufactures except on higher end models decided to save a few bucks and not implement an additional inside switch. Electrically, it a minor effort to break the 120vac line suppling the water heater and insert a 120vac switch. The difficult part is often finding that Romex and locating a standard 120vac light switch.

On many higher end models, the RV manufacture uses a 12vdc switch similar to the other switches in the panel and a relay to switch the 120vac at the rear of the water heater. Suburban has the relay and mounting as a install option.
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Old 04-14-2018, 04:06 AM   #18
wiredgeorge
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Here is a good thread on Suburban water heaters; includes the SW6DEL which is the unit with relay and inside switch for the electric element side of the water heater.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ore-36197.html
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Old 04-14-2018, 06:59 AM   #19
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Thanks for the posts. I think they will clarify the switch question for many folks. The Forest River Forum is a good source for general information. I had a Flagstaff and found the forum to be extremely valuable. Since many manufacturers use the same parts, using all available sources helps greatly.
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Old 04-17-2018, 08:10 AM   #20
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My last 5ver was a Rockwood TH. The folks on that forum are very good about posting specific component info. The water heater in almost any RV will be either a Suburban or Atwood near as I know and on smaller trailers, most will be 6 gallon. I had the cheapy SW6 model on my Rockwood; had to light it outside and no electrical element. Sad that an RV manufacturer will try and save pennies for an item like this. The DSI unit is so so much easier to live with. The SW6DE I have is a real step up but why not put an inside switch for almost the same amount when the location of the on-face and fairly well hidden switch is likely to be a problem with many owners?
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