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Old 03-26-2016, 08:38 PM   #1
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Hot water heater problem

my suburban sw6de in my 5 only heats a few seconds then shuts down both on elec and on gas. I changed the outside switch (110v) but it still shuts down too soon. I tried reset buttons but that didn't help. 6 gal tank is full. There is no power to the heating element on 110v. I have checked bypass valve and it is closed. I suspect bad thermostat? Any ideas.
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Old 03-26-2016, 11:02 PM   #2
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It will recover faster if you turn on the propane heat and electric both.
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Old 03-27-2016, 11:31 AM   #3
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I tried having both gas and elec turned on. It still heats only a few seconds then shuts down. It's not even long enough to get the water warm. That is why I'm suspicious of the thermostat because it controls both gas and elec sides of the equation.
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Old 03-29-2016, 07:03 PM   #4
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According to the service manual for the sw6de there is nothing electrically common between the gas and electric sides. The gas side has it's own thermostat and the electric it's own.

How are you determining that the water isn't already hot?
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Old 03-29-2016, 08:05 PM   #5
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hot water

I checked for hot water at the bathroom sink and the pop off valve. Neither electric side or gas side produced hot water; Just Luke warm at best to the feel over my outstretched fingers. And that is coming from the gas burner. The electric side is now shut off.
Thank you for the info on there being two thermostats for gas and elec. I'm thinking of changing both of them. I've already changed the electric outside switch. I'm docking in the driveway here at 6550 foot elevation (Edgewood NM) so that might account for the gas not working right. I will be heading for Missouri so will wait to see what happens at a 350 foot elevation before I tackle the orifice.
If I change enough stuff ... something's bound to work and I will know how and what to do if I ever run on to this sort of thing again. It's still cheaper than taking it to a dealer and waiting to get it back.
I will post my results so others can learn from my success ... or failure ... whichever the case may be.
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Old 03-30-2016, 06:42 PM   #6
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Safety on the temp side bad?
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Old 03-30-2016, 07:02 PM   #7
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I would check to see if your water heater in line vales are turned correctly for summer use. They may be in the winterized position. You mentioned you had some hot water for a short time so this would be a good indication. Later RJD
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Old 03-30-2016, 07:35 PM   #8
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The bypass valve on my new trailer was open when we got it. We had similar symptoms.
Wouldn't hurt to check.



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Old 03-30-2016, 08:21 PM   #9
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hot water problem

MarkyB may be right. I just checked and the by-pass valve was open. I just closed it and we will see? Thanks for the info and I will keep you informed.
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Old 03-30-2016, 08:25 PM   #10
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We have hot water. I think MarkyB may have found my problem. I'll know after I take a shower. Thank you.
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Old 03-30-2016, 09:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aviator42 View Post
We have hot water. I think MarkyB may have found my problem. I'll know after I take a shower. Thank you.
It shut off so soon because the water in the tank (if any) was hot. What you were getting was bypass water so wasn't hot or only lukewarm if not cold.
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Old 03-30-2016, 10:01 PM   #12
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That's exactly what happened to me last weekend. I had the bypass value open instead of shut which allowed the cold water to mix with the hot. Easy fix but frustrating until you figure it out.
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Old 03-31-2016, 08:16 AM   #13
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That's why I asked how you determined the water wasn't already hot. My next suggestion would be to check the bypass valve(s), but that was suggested. It's a pretty common problem, and should be emphasized during the PDI more than once.
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Old 04-01-2016, 11:19 AM   #14
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hot water

I want to think everyone for their comments on my hot water situation. It pays to be on this form. It was the by-pass valve causing all my problems. We now have hot water both on electric side and on the gas side and they work well.
I tested it by sending my fiance to the shower (I'm not crazy, you know).
She reported hot water ... so now I guess it's safe for me to try it.
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