Question about the Electric function of the Water Heater

[twinster2]

OK, I have solved all my pluming issues with respect to the water heater. I tested the LP heating and it worked flawlessly. Now my question is how does the AC electric heating function work. the manual tell nothing about the AC function and I assume that it is completely independent of the inside water heater switch which seems to only operate the LP heating system. I know that there is a off/on switch on the water heater itself which appears to be what turns on the AC heating element. So is plugging in the shore line, filling up the tank and turning on that external switch all you do to get the electric heating element working? If I turn on the internal water heater switch, the only thing the system tries to do is light the LP. Not sure if there is any smart logic as to when the AC is use and when the LP is use like the refrigerator. Thanks

Don

[Eagle]

Here is a great video of the gas/electric water heater operation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDmiNrRrA14

[runner421]

You are right. The two switches are independent of each other. When plugged in to shore power, using the switch at the water heater, you are turning the water heater on (electric mode). They put it there to make you think and remember "Is there water in the tank?" Never turn electric on with an empty tank.
Using the switch inside the camper does turn on the flow of propane and ignite the pilot light.
Here are two possible issues (I've had both!):
I was boon docking once and couldn't get the propane to ignite and heat water. Cold showers suck. Discovered that my water heater has two thermostats. One for electric mode, one for propane. I switched the wiring around and had hot water by propane while boon docking. Ordered a new thermostat and replaced the bad one when I got to my next destination. Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Here's a link to a youtube video for a suburban 6-gallon water heater and how to replace the thermostat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUjulbYqI4o

Using this video you can figure out how to switch the wiring to see if you can get the electric power to heat your water and then your propane won't ignite. It's tight but there should be enough wiring to do it.
If this does not fix/identify your problem, it could be the small plastic on/off switch. They're pretty cheap on Amazon, be sure you buy a 110V switch that handles the amperage for the water heater.
Hope that helps.

[twinster2]

Very happy to see that the electric heater is also worked. Getting very close to finishing my to-do-list. Last thing is to pull the wheel. I think I will wait until next week.