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Old 01-17-2025, 10:24 PM   #1
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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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Old 01-18-2025, 07:14 AM   #2
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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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Old 01-18-2025, 07:20 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richpatty View Post
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.

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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Old 01-18-2025, 10:41 AM   #4
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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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Old 01-18-2025, 01:33 PM   #5
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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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Old 01-18-2025, 01:47 PM   #6
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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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Old 01-19-2025, 07:52 AM   #7
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Thank you for your help

Thanks to everyone,
I appreciate the quick response and explanation.
Charlie B.
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