Suburban RV Water Heater Direct Spark Ignition 6-Gallon 12V 12,000 BTU 5238A
Have Hot Water at Your Fingertips With a Suburban Water Heater
Warm water to wash your hands or do your dishes can leave your RV feeling tidy and leave you ready to relax at the end of the day. But if your water heater isn’t supplying enough water, then those chores may be hard to finish efficiently. A high quality water heater can have you done with chores in no time and give you more time to relax.
A Suburban water heater is one of the best for RVs. They are known for their quality and years of experience in RV water heater manufacturing. So when you decide to purchase a Suburban water heater from RecPro, you know you’re getting something that will make your life easier. This water heater is model SW6D. It runs on gas and requires a 12 volt DC hookup as well.
Model SW6D
Let’s look at what the model name stands for to help you understand what kind of water heater you’re getting. SW simply signifies that this is a Suburban branded water heater and tank. The 6 shows the tank capacity. This tank is 6 gallons. The D shows what kind of heating system this unit uses. The D means that it is a direct spark ignition system. What that means is that it uses a spark to create a flame that then heats the gas to heat the water. This spark is better than a pilot light as it is only on when in use whereas a pilot light is always on. The direct spark does require electricity to work, it needs a 12 volt DC hookup. But the heater itself runs on propane.
This tank requires a cutout of 12.75”H x 12.75”W x 19.2”D to fit the tank dimensions of 12.69”H x 12.69”W x 19.2”D. It’s best to install this unit on the side of an RV. It is not advised to install it facing forward. When installing you also want to take note of possible obstructions to the vent such as slide outs or doors as blocking the vent can cause dangerous gasses to build up.
Safety Features
You always want to find a unit that is safe and Suburban makes units with plenty of safety features to give you peace of mind when using. During the manufacturing process, the tank goes through two pressure testings to ensure its integrity so you have the reassurance that this tank isn’t going to fall apart on you. The tank is insulated, which serves two purposes. One, it helps keep the heated water inside the tank warm by keeping heat dissipation to a minimum. But it also helps insulate the heat from spreading from the tank to the surrounding areas of your RV.
The tank features a temperature monitoring system. It is set to maintain your heating system to 135°F (57°C). This temperature is non adjustable. Be sure to use caution when using only hot water as water in excess of 125°F can cause burns and scalding. Always test the water temperature before using it.
Another safety feature is the pressure relief valve. This valve keeps the interior temperature and pressure in a safe range. When the tank water reaches 210°F or 150 pounds of pressure, the valve will open, allowing water to drip out as either a slow drip or small stream. If you notice your pressure relief valve leaking, don’t immediately panic. It may just be regulating your tank. The tank also comes equipped with an anode rod which will draw corrosive materials in the water to it to preserve your tank. The anode rod will corrode over time, so you always want to make sure to check it and replace it when it has become very corroded so you can continue to protect your tank.
The dry tank weighs about 35 pounds, and when full it weighs approximately 84 pounds. The steel tank is porcelain lined, making it safe for drinking water as long as the source water is safe to drink. The outlet and inlet fittings come with plastic tubes installed to help improve water circulation. This water heater requires a 12V DC hookup for the direct spark ignition as well as a propane hookup for gas power. It has a BTU level of 12,000. And the recovery rate of…
