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Retired 404

Woodward

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Posted: 10/17/22 12:44pm

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Replacing a Suburban water hater (SW12DE). Removing and replacing seemed pretty straight forward, however... Upon removing the old unit, there were four wires that had to be disconnected from the RV itself: 1-red/red 2-green/green 3-blue/blue 4-white/orange New unit does not have the orange wire...
No idea where or what the white wire going into the RV is for.
[image]

* This post was last edited 10/17/22 03:10pm by Retired 404 * View edit history

joelc

Cedar Point, NC

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Posted: 10/17/22 02:13pm

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I replaced mine a couple of years ago and if I remember some wire colors did not match, but I took photos before I disconnected anything. I doubt I still have the photos, but if I do I will edit this blog and try to send you the pics if you need them. I have a 10 gal elect/propane. Is yours the same?

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Woodward

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Posted: 10/17/22 02:27pm

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I think I may have edited my post to include a url of the photo's I took.
Thank you for your reply sir!...

MFL

Midwest

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Posted: 10/17/22 02:47pm

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^ I don't see a pic. Just google rv.net photoposting for an easy to follow link.

BB_TX

McKinney, Texas

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Posted: 10/17/22 02:50pm

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Your pictures

Here is the Suburban manual. Maybe page 11 figures 10 and 11 will help understand the wiring.

Suburban manual

Retired 404

Woodward

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Posted: 10/17/22 03:09pm

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Thanks for the tip...
Here is the photo link:
[image]

Retired 404

Woodward

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Posted: 10/17/22 07:23pm

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Thank you for the schematics/owners manual...

dougrainer

Carrolton, Texas

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Posted: 10/18/22 10:41am

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Suburban has 2 models of 120 dsi water heaters. Your OLD unit has the 12 volt activated 120 relay that that white wire was connected to the orange. The white should have 12 volts when you turn the inside 120 water heater switch ON. Your new unit, does NOT have the relay and was the older style that had direct 120 to the water heater. You had to have either a 120 rated inside wall switch to turn it ON or use the outside On/Off switch below the gas valve. Look at this link and determine which model you have. DE or DEL. Doug

https://suburbanrv.com/files/product_doc........trols/Tank%20Water%20Heater%20101121.pdf

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Woodward

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Posted: 10/19/22 08:56am

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Doug, thank you for the clarification.
My new unit is the Suburban Sw12de (5247a).
I guess my next question is what are my options?
-Return this unit (thought was a good deal @ $559 and free shipping)
-replace the control panel
-use this unit and control it from outside
[image]

dougrainer

Carrolton, Texas

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Posted: 10/19/22 09:48am

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If you can return it and get the correct model, that is your best option. BUT, If you have to pay return shipping and the correct cost a lot more, then use this model and control from the outside switch. Doug