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Old 12-16-2024, 03:34 PM   #1
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Name: Stefan
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Utah
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Smile Water Heater Upgrade

Newbie here.

I have an older 2001 Casita Spirit Deluxe that I purchased with a known non-working 6 gallon water heater. I decided to replace it with a tankless water heater from Suburban. I need some guidance on where to pick up the 12V supply. The installation manual just calls for 12V parallel supply. (by parallel in the case, I would assume that they mean 12V from Battery or 12 V from 110V supply when plugged in. Thank you gurus

(I don't want to get into the tank vs tankless debate)
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Old 12-16-2024, 10:59 PM   #2
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Aussie manual for Suburban Nautilus which is what I think you have. 12v DC only, see page11, two dotted lines on right side is pos/neg 12v dc. No 120v AC needed as gas makes the heat.

I know you don't want to hear it, but you would have been better off repairing the 6 gal tank heater. I guess if you plan on staying in RV parks with water and sewer you will be OK.

Charles
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Old 12-17-2024, 06:56 PM   #3
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Thank you for your prompt response Charles,

Yes, I plan on staying at RV camps with full water, electric and sewer hook-ups 90-95% of the time. Shower and toilet will only be used when the RV camp's facilities are dirty/busy

Stefan
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Old 12-17-2024, 09:59 PM   #4
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I've been at too many places such as Federal Park campsites with no hookups (ie. Great Smoky Mtns NP) Blue Ridge Parkway, or many state parks with water but no sewer hookup, or on the road, overnighting at a welcome station (such as I-10 in Mississippi) or a interstate rest stop in Wisconsin, to use an on demand water heater.

Charles
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Old 12-18-2024, 08:26 AM   #5
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While I have a two way Suburban “conventional” water heater, I think Stefan’s camping style will mesh quite nicely with an on demand water heater. I typically do not boondock; we use the campground facilities. Neither my spouse or I have ever taken a shower in our 2015 Escape. We only use hot water, typically heated by 110 vac to wash dishes, although I once took a hot outdoor shower to rinse off beach sand.
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Old 12-21-2024, 11:34 AM   #6
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My 2003 SD 17' has the power supply inside the trailer right next to the water heater. There are several unused 12 volt fuse slots available to pull power from.

I've tried to attach an image, but it does not seem to be working.

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Old 12-21-2024, 11:54 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mlungu View Post
..... I need some guidance on where to pick up the 12V supply. The installation manual just calls for 12V parallel supply. (by parallel in the case, I would assume that they mean 12V from Battery or 12 V from 110V supply when plugged in. Thank you gurus

(I don't want to get into the tank vs tankless debate)
In my 2007 Casita Spirit Deluxe, both the water heater and the electric fuse+circuit breaker panel are located under the dinette bench seat on the street side of the Casita.

If you take the door+cover off the electric panel, you should see the 12v fuses. In my Casita there were a couple of unused fuse locations. Simply run some bell wire from one of the unused fuse locations and the ground bus to the water heater and insert a fuse that is sized per your water heater's specs.


Sorry for the redundant post but Tom said the same thing above (including a picture). :-)
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Old 12-21-2024, 03:28 PM   #8
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Thank you both Larry & Tom. Tom that picture is exactly what I needed!
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