Replacing water heater

[Shadious]

Hello all,
The porcelain finish on our water heater started flaking off and we decided to replace it. We purchased the upgraded Suburban dual fuel model- SW6DEL. It allows the electric water heater to be turned on from inside the camper (just adding a bit of luxury and trying not to destroy the outside switch). I expect I will need to run a new control wire from our new inside panel to the water heater, but was wondering if anyone else has done this upgrade and has any pointers? We have a 2014 21C.
Link to water heater:

https://a.co/d/9IcmH0C

 

[Ron in BC]

I installed my own interior switch to avoid having to go outside and use that awkward on tank switch.

I don't know where you will want to install the new switch but I can give you tips on running wires through the hidden spaces.

Ron

 

[Shadious]

I installed my own interior switch to avoid having to go outside and use that awkward on tank switch.

I don't know where you will want to install the new switch but I can give you tips on running wires through the hidden spaces.

Ron

That would be awesome! Our current switch is on the wall at the very end of the bed. I’m hoping to use the same wire chase and just add a wire or two. If my plan works, the new, larger switch unit will fit in the same spot as the old one and cover any holes already there.

 

[Jim Bennett]

On my 19 I added a 120V switch inside complete with a light to show when it was on. In my 5.0TA I installed a control panel that has a 12V switch on it for electric water.

 

[Ron in BC]

I’m hoping to use the same wire chase and just add a wire or two.

Well you're in luck, the route is quite usable. And it gets much easier if this panel is removed. With care it can be removed without damage and, best of all, clips back in without any fasteners. Makes a pretty good easy access place to stash small valuables.

Ron

 

[Shadious]

Well you're in luck, the route is quite usable. And it gets much easier if this panel is removed. With care it can be removed without damage and, best of all, clips back in without any fasteners. Makes a pretty good easy access place to stash small valuables.

Ron

Oh wow, that’s awesome! Of course, our wire fish is in NC and we are in FL, so it seems a trip to Harbor Freight for a cheap fish is in order. It looks like the real challenge is getting the wire down the wall and over to the chase. I’ll be looking Moe closely at it next week, as we are busy on other projects right now. Thank you so much for the suggestion!

 

[Ron in BC]

I removed the drawers and was able to shove the wire through. If not a piece of coat hanger wire would do the job.

A lot of folks pull out the drawers and use the space behind as a hidden space for valuables. When you pull out the drawers you'll see all the way to the white vinyl on the exterior wall. The drawers stop quite away before that.

I decided to make a more secure hidden space. I put in a false panel, even made it more realistic with the phony electrical box. The panel is held on with magnets. The "wires" are the handle.

Don't want to give the impression that we carry gold bullion with us but we do often leave the trailer in non-campground areas so maybe we just have an increased need to put valuables out of sight.

Ron

 

[Shadious]

I removed the drawers and was able to shove the wire through. If not a piece of coat hanger wire would do the job.

A lot of folks pull out the drawers and use the space behind as a hidden space for valuables. When you pull out the drawers you'll see all the way to the white vinyl on the exterior wall. The drawers stop quite away before that.

I decided to make a more secure hidden space. I put in a false panel, even made it more realistic with the phony electrical box. The panel is held on with magnets. The "wires" are the handle.

Don't want to give the impression that we carry gold bullion with us but we do often leave the trailer in non-campground areas so maybe we just have an increased need to put valuables out of sight.

Ron

Really cool idea- I like it! So this project is looking a little bit more manageable now! Thanks for the photos and suggestions. I’ll probably start this in a week or two, so I may have follow up questions

 

[alanmalk]

Well you're in luck, the route is quite usable. And it gets much easier if this panel is removed. With care it can be removed without damage and, best of all, clips back in without any fasteners. Makes a pretty good easy access place to stash small valuables.

Ron

Ron - apologies for straying off the original subject. I am looking at your 2 photos and a number of questions come to mind.

I see what looks like granite countertop material resting on the outlets in the first photo. Is this accidental?

The second photo - is that taken between the stack and the bed? How did you remove the big panel without damage? And looking at the floor, I see a trim cover between pieces of vinyl flooring. Was that original? (I have floor damage from 2 pieces not being attached firmly when first installed.)

Thanks!

 

[Ron in BC]

Hi Alan,

1. That's this flip-up shelf that I made. Makes a handy workspace for when my wife's cooking up a storm and I want to keep out of the way. And trust me, I do want to keep out of the way.

Actually, since I like to reuse items, it's the cut down swing out counter extension from my old 19.

2. Without being factious, very, very carefully. Since, unlike some of the back panels out of sight in cupboards etc. I knew any damage would be visible. So, thin putty knife, wiggle and jiggle and out it came without damage. I may have nipped off a tiny bit of the corner of the bottom trim. I was quite surprised that it just snapped back in and stays in place without any fasteners.

The trim piece is factory original. Normally not seen because our garbage can is usually on top of it.

Ron

 

[alanmalk]

Hi Alan,

1. That's this flip-up shelf that I made. Makes a handy workspace for when my wife's cooking up a storm and I want to keep out of the way. And trust me, I do want to keep out of the way.

I know the feeling. When my wife starts cooking the only safe place is at the other end of the campground.