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01-17-2025, 10:24 PM
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#1
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Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 34
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Water Heater - Propane / Electric - which one takes command
Hello Folks,
I have a 2017 Ventana with Propane (not all electric).
Water Heater: Suburban SW-10DE.
Situation: The water heater will work via the propane or electricity (shore power). I have switches to turn on/off either power source on the front control panel.
My question is: If both switches are on, is the coach designed to use one source as a precedence? Ex: when on shore power, will the water heater (or some logic) choose shore power over propane?
Through a process of turning on and off switches (also have an on/off switch on the water heater itself), and watching the precision circuit monitor for amp draw, it appears that both the propane and the electricity can be active at the same time. If I turn off one power source or the other off, (via the switches on the control panel), the other remains active.
When both switches are on, this behaves as a "hybrid" using both power sources to heat the water.
I thought the system had logic that would choose one power source over the other and automatically switch to an available source should the other fail.
Is the system a manual system and I've been incorrect in my understanding of the system?
Thanks for your input,
Charlie B
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Charlie Brown
2017 Ventana 3709
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01-18-2025, 07:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,065
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My understanding is that it is not that smart and will run whatever system is turned on. When I had a propane heater, I would leave it on electric unless I needed more hot water for a shower and then would turn on propane.
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2017 Newmar Ventana 4310
1,440W solar / 800 AH Lithium
2007 CR-V
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01-18-2025, 07:20 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Sedona, AZ
Posts: 3,191
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richpatty
My understanding is that it is not that smart and will run whatever system is turned on. When I had a propane heater, I would leave it on electric unless I needed more hot water for a shower and then would turn on propane.
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This is how my Atwood works. I assume Suburban is the same. This is a feature not a bug. You will be glad to have both available in tandem when you want a nice, long, hot shower. Propane heats faster than electric, but both together are the fastest of all.
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Shell Bleiweiss
2014 1/2 Thor Challenger 37KT
Sedona, AZ
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01-18-2025, 10:41 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Powell River, B.C.
Posts: 34,185
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OK , my understanding is that , the thermostats ( there are two behind the plastic cover with the re-set buttons ) have slightly different temperatures , and if both are on and no water is being drawn through the heater , the electric function will maintain water temperature at a point where the propane won't cycle .
As soon as cold water enters both systems will activate and the propane will cycle off first.
There is no " logic module " involved with the water heater operation , like there is on an RV fridge.
EDIT: BTW , the electric on off switch on the water heater , is a safety override for the electric side only ; to be used when the water heater is drained for winterizing , so the inside control cannot be used and burn out the element by running it dry.
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99DSDP 3884, Freightliner, XC, CAT 3126B, 300 HP /ALLISON 3060
2000 Caravan toad, Remco & Blue Ox.
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01-18-2025, 01:33 PM
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#5
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"Formerly Diplomat Don"
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 25,325
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Skips explanation above is how they work. When we had a propane water heater with an electric element, we would leave both on so the electric element would maintain temp (free hot water since we were plugged in to the campground) and the propane would turn on for quick recovery.
The propane tanks don't have big elements, usually just a rod.
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Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali 4x4 6.2L
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01-18-2025, 01:47 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2024
Location: Bohemia NY
Posts: 2,020
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Be aware using the electric element when on a power limited circuit such as 20- or 30-amp connection or on a small generator. It is typically a 10-amp, 1,200-watt element.
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Dennis
Bohemia NY
2008 Nimbus 342 SE Carlyle
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01-19-2025, 07:52 AM
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#7
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Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Moorpark, CA
Posts: 34
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Thank you for your help
Thanks to everyone,
I appreciate the quick response and explanation.
Charlie B.
__________________
Charlie Brown
2017 Ventana 3709
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