Hi We picked up our new expanda 18.58.2 today. We will mainly be using it at caravan parks connected to 240 and mains water. When do we turn on the water heater switch? Do we leave it on all the time or just prior to needing to use hot water. Thanks
18' Series Water heater switch
- Thread starter Leah6886
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If you have a Suburban HWS, you will have a lead plugged into a power point and a small micro switch on behind the panel outside, the switch is in a horrible position and is known to break, its not very sturdy and is a pain to replace, far better to turn the little switch on and leave it on all the time, mine hasn't been turned off since I fitted a new one some 8 years or so ago, operate the HWS from the power point life is easier .....
HWS should always be the last thing turned on and first thing turned off, then you won't stuff the elements, best to have a routine that once the water is connected, HW taps are run so HW tank is filled and air released, then HWS can be turned On, when packing up HWS Off first then water then power sort of thing ..... if on gas we only turn it on about 30mins before needed, saves gas and on mains Last On and First off ............ Running the taps when connecting up water should be a must for all HWS ..
HWS should always be the last thing turned on and first thing turned off, then you won't stuff the elements, best to have a routine that once the water is connected, HW taps are run so HW tank is filled and air released, then HWS can be turned On, when packing up HWS Off first then water then power sort of thing ..... if on gas we only turn it on about 30mins before needed, saves gas and on mains Last On and First off ............ Running the taps when connecting up water should be a must for all HWS ..
I turn the power on after hooking up and checking there is water in the hws like Drover says. The suburban has a relief valve just behind the door flap that is very handy for releasing any air that came through the pipes when the hose was connected.
The HWS stays on in CV parks until we move but always turn it off in case we plug power in but not the water at the next place.
The HWS stays on in CV parks until we move but always turn it off in case we plug power in but not the water at the next place.
Good advice Drover & jazzeddie, ...In my JJOB the water heater switch is under the bed near the water heater itself pia to get to, so for convenience sake I always leave that switch on, but turn the water heater on and off by the switch behind the water heater panel on the outside...I gotta admit, if I am on shore power I leave it on the whole time... I do turn it off though when I get home or when going off grid...the switch under the bed is always on though
Many, many,many moons ago we came back to van when we were in a park or showground to find out water turned off, thought kids at the time as others encountered either water or power turned off, so ever since then if going out for awhile I turn the gas on for fridge and pump on for HWS or turn it off .... Its paid off as a safe guard a few times when some dunder head has tripped over power line and disconnected it from meter box, fridge has kicked in on gas and saved the tucker...... I try to fix the power lead at both ends, draped around tyre on van and using the cable dogs on power box or doing a half hitch around the pole, same with the hose if possible, then at least a trip shouldn't cause a disconnect ...
Our HWS power point was under the bed so I rewired a new lead for it and it now plugs in inside a cupboard, only needed an extra 200mm of lead .. The problem with the little switch on HWS is its only a light duty bed lamp switch really and behind it there is very little room and the terminals need to be bent back at least 45 deg to fit, once you can get to it, in fact had a look at mine yesterday and its siezed up, frozen ON, so will leave well enough alone ... but will make sure I have a spade joiner in the spares box if it needs a bypass repair one day...
Our HWS power point was under the bed so I rewired a new lead for it and it now plugs in inside a cupboard, only needed an extra 200mm of lead .. The problem with the little switch on HWS is its only a light duty bed lamp switch really and behind it there is very little room and the terminals need to be bent back at least 45 deg to fit, once you can get to it, in fact had a look at mine yesterday and its siezed up, frozen ON, so will leave well enough alone ... but will make sure I have a spade joiner in the spares box if it needs a bypass repair one day...