Hot Water Heater Switch Stuck On

[bresdogsr]

Wife wasn't getting any hot water. Checked the hot water heater and noticed the switch was stuck in the on position. Could not move it at all. Has this happened to anyone before? Any suggestions? Will be calling Suburban tomorrow. TIA.

[LadyWindrider]

OK, it's late, and maybe one beer too many, but here goes, switch is stuck in the "ON" position, and no hot water. Doesn't sound like a switch problem. If the switch is "ON", then you have should have hot water. Of course you didn't say which switch, the gas one, or the electric, if equipped.

Do a search on here, we have been working on compiling a list of manuals, if you don't have one, and maybe you will get some tips and diagrams/parts list.

Sorry I can't be much help.

[Dave_Monica]

???'s

Which switch? The water heater propane switch or electric switch? If electric switch, are you refering to the one in the water heater panel outside? Did you have hot water before?

Dave

[bresdogsr]

The switch on the hot water heater is stuck in the on position. There is no hot water unless it is on propane. Yes I did have 50 amp service.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by bresdogsr

The switch on the hot water heater is stuck in the on position. There is no hot water unless it is on propane. Yes I did have 50 amp service.

I am confused, You have a 2010 Georgetown, but have a Suburban hot water heater that is propane only? Seems odd that they would put their lowest end water heater in a motor home.

Have you checked outside under the drop down panel for the black AC switch? Looks like:

We can then get your DW some hot water while we figure out why your propane is not firing.

[Dave_Monica]

I'm assuming that you're refering to the electric switch in the outside panel. Are you positive that it's not in the 'off' position with a hairpin clip through the switch.

Dave

Edit: I see I'm slow tonight with the enter key.

[LadyWindrider]

Since the electric switch is stuck ON, if you ever plugged the camper to electric with no water in the heater tank , the element is burned out. Could be the breaker inside has tripped. Now I'm assuming it has worked before. Most of te electric switches have a hair pin clip through them locking them in the OFF position, to keep from burning out the element. This clip must be removed to switch the electric to ON. Don't go by up is ON, and down is OFF. Read the switch, some are mounted upside down. Do search on here, plenty of pictures and manuals.

And Dave and Lou posted while I was typing this.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by bresdogsr

There is no hot water unless it is on propane.

Wow, I have no idea how I confused this.

Reading it this morning it is clear you are talking about the AC portion of your heater. Old age is sneaking up on me.

The black AC switch is exposed to the elements and can be corroded.
If that is the case, it can be repaired or if it is actually "on" (voltage at the element) you can put another switch in the circuit (at the plug for instance) to turn it off.

If it has been on when winterized, Windrider is quite correct, your heating element will need to be replaced. Propane is your only option until you get the AC portion repaired or replaced.

[bresdogsr]

Yes it is the AC switch on the heater itself. It has worked previously. There is water in the tank. It will heat on propane. There is no clip through the switch. My thought is I had and electric spike and the high temp relay cut out the electric. I am going to try to reset this am (read the manual). Will report back.

[Herk7769]

This should help your efforts.

[bresdogsr]

Originally Posted by herk7769

This should help your efforts.

Thanks

[SinkorSwim]

If you have a multimeter it will be easy to isolate the problem.

1) Check AC hot water tank breaker not tripped
2) Check for presence of 120 at battery side pole of the on/off switch; if none have wiring problem to water heater which is not likely
3) Test for presence of 120 at the downstream pole of the on/off switch, if none replace the on/off switch
4) Test for presence of 120 at the downstream side of the AC thermostat, if none press reset button, if still none replace thermostat
5) Test for 120 across the posts of the water heater element, if it was at the thermostat it should be here or you have a bad wire/connection at the thermostat/heater element.
6) Turn off the AC breaker for the Hot Water tank (as you can't use your on/off switch by the tank) and test for 10 ohms resistence across the posts of the water heater elelemt, if open circuit replace water heater element
7) Make sure water on, breaker on and all protective rubber covers back in place and go have a nice hot shower

[Douglasdh62]

The switch itself is shorted out. you can get them at most RV dealerships, be sure and unplug the RV before attempting to take out the old switch and put in the new one unless you are going to have someone else do it. it is a matter of just unplugging the wires on the back side of the switch and plugging them back onto the new switch. I recommend buying a second switch as they do not make them very well anymore and they burn out fairly fast.

[VinceU]

My guess is the light weight switch overheated last time in service causing contacts to fail, same time the rocker portion of switch welded to the casing thus frozen on, no power.

[bresdogsr]

Sounds like the switch failed as mentioned above. Time to get a new switch. Thanks for all the info.

[VinceU]

My heater is 2012 and DSI equipped but I don't have that fancy spring preventer in the switch either. Would be nice to have but too difficult to access for change. Losing the switch to normal use is better than using the circuit breaker and chance damaging it's protective circuits. ESP since the circuit is under water and can potentially provide a direct path to vehicle ground. This is not a GFCI protected circuit.

[bresdogsr]

Pulled the switch. Nobody in the area has one. Going to do some more searching tomorrow and call Suburban if I can't find one. It moves freely now, but I'd rather replace than reuse.

[VinceU]

Measured mine in place, seems Grainger has rocker switch to fit in SPST format. Maybe you have local branch?

[bresdogsr]

Originally Posted by VinceU

Measured mine in place, seems Grainger has rocker switch to fit in SPST format. Maybe you have local branch?

Thanks! None close may have to order online nice to have a place to look.

[bresdogsr]

Found a new switch and installed it. Still no hot water. Time to look for electrical issues. Circut breaker has not tripped. Hi limit has no tripped either. Any ideas for a non electrical person?
Thanks.