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11-10-2015, 05:56 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Georgia
Posts: 191
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Water Heater Propane to Electric ?
Where is the switch to change from Propane to Electric on a Suburban 10 gal water heater? I was told it was the little rocker switch inside the compartment door, but that did not work. TIA
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2002 Alpine 36MDDS
"Bali Hai"
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11-10-2015, 06:08 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: https://binged.it/1KdDqKO
Posts: 2,428
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In our rig there its not a switch from one to the other, but both could be on at same time. In our case we have gas switch on the electric panel in hall way and the electric switch is above the stove in compartment with 12 volt fuses....
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11-10-2015, 06:45 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,396
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Ref the Alpine water heater--here are a couple ideas: 1] there is the 120v switch in the outside compartment--you found; 2] make sure the 120v breaker in the bathroom is on; 3] there is also a 12v fuse in the fuse block in the bathroom--not sure that impacts 120v electric ops; and 4] the 120v electric element might be bad--common problem when owners turn-on heater/plug-in coach with no water in heater tank.
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Old Scout
2015 IH45 Foretravel
2003 Alpine 40' MDTS [Sold]
New Braunfels, Texas
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11-10-2015, 06:50 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Georgia
Posts: 191
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Works like a dream when on Propane. I wanted to test it on Electric but don't know if there is somewhere to tell it what to use.
__________________
2002 Alpine 36MDDS
"Bali Hai"
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11-10-2015, 06:58 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,396
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OK--different question--should be a [white] water heater switch somewhere on the kitchen cabinets with a red pilot start light--assume it is on as you have hot water on propane. Simply turn it off and make sure all the electrical switches/breakers I mentioned earlier are on. With propane switch off, electric should function. With both propane and electric on--both will function but propane mode is much more "aggressive/efficient" for heating, so hard to detect that electric element is on.....
__________________
Old Scout
2015 IH45 Foretravel
2003 Alpine 40' MDTS [Sold]
New Braunfels, Texas
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11-10-2015, 07:01 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,777
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dreamacre
Where is the switch to change from Propane to Electric on a Suburban 10 gal water heater? I was told it was the little rocker switch inside the compartment door, but that did not work. TIA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dreamacre
Works like a dream when on Propane. I wanted to test it on Electric but don't know if there is somewhere to tell it what to use.
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Dreamacre
Are you sure you have a propane/electric water heater?
Some RV water heaters are "propane only".
Mel
'96 Safari, (10 gal. Suburban SW10D "propane only" WH
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11-10-2015, 07:07 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,396
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OK--we are talking Alpine so unless an aftermarket heater has been installed--its a dual-use heater. As a last resort--turn off propane at main tank valve and see if electric mode functions.
__________________
Old Scout
2015 IH45 Foretravel
2003 Alpine 40' MDTS [Sold]
New Braunfels, Texas
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11-10-2015, 07:21 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Georgia
Posts: 191
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If I understand - In the kitchen, there is a "Water Heater" switch with a red light. If I leave this off, then Electric will automatically come on when hooked to shore power or on Generator, as long as breaker is on in bathroom?
Any idea what "On/Off" rocker switch is inside water heater door on side of coach? I was told that with this on the On position, it would turn on the electric (but I had also turned on the kitchen switch).
__________________
2002 Alpine 36MDDS
"Bali Hai"
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11-10-2015, 07:24 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Surprise, AZ
Posts: 836
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I'm not sure it was clear that there is a small rocker switch on the water heater that must be turned on for the electrical heating element to work. You simply remove the outside cover to find the switch in the left lower area.
Follow OS instructions to leave the main water heater switch "OFF" in the kitchen which serves to avoid the propane burner from starting. If all of your electrical breakers & switches are "ON" (other than the propane switch in the kitchen), the water should be quite warm in about an hour. In fact, when setting up at a campground site I do not turn on the propane switch for up to 2 - hours thus allowing the electrical element to heat the water. This saves on propane since you're paying for the shore power any ways.
Also, I turn off the main breaker in the bathroom electrical panel before traveling and then turn it on AFTER connecting to shore power and water. This action reduces the initial amperage draw on the transfer switch. Just remember to turn it back on once connected.
__________________
Bob Bowers (Surprise, AZ)
2003 Alpine Coach 40' FDTS
2014 Jeep Cherokee Lattitude
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11-10-2015, 07:26 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Georgia
Posts: 191
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Thank you all!
__________________
2002 Alpine 36MDDS
"Bali Hai"
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11-10-2015, 10:17 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,957
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There is also the possibility that the heating element is burned out. Pretty easy to check with a meter. Mine was burned out. Got a replacement at ACE.
When I took delivery of my coach I was told to leave the switch on the water heater turned on, and turn it on and off at the circuit breaker. No need to go outside in the rain!
__________________
Jim A
'04 Alpine Coach 36' MDDS
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