Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-27-2012, 11:46 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 29
surburban water heater

Just came back from our second camping trip and was wondering if anyone had a simular experience that the hot water tank shut off and trips the reset. If I shut it off and turn it back on, everthing is fine,the hot water tank goes on. Is this normal? I keep the water tank on the whole trip, is this okay or should I shut it off at night? We have a 2012 350 georgetown with a 10 gallon tank (surburban). Thanks in advance.
bojack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 12:20 PM   #2
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
Quote:
Originally Posted by bojack View Post
hot water tank shut off and trips the reset.
Trips the reset threw me.

The DC high limit switch?
The AC high limit switch?
The GFCI?
The main AC circuit breaker?
The DC Fuse?
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 01:47 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 29
reset

the reset button next to the water heater switch on the control panel inside the coach. Sorry about that.
bojack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 01:49 PM   #4
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
Quote:
Originally Posted by bojack View Post
the reset button next to the water heater switch on the control panel inside the coach. Sorry about that.
Still confused. Sorry.
Are you talking about a light?
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 01:52 PM   #5
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
The "reset" light is only used when the water heater is running on gas.

If the burner fails to light the red light will come on. It will "re-try" to light 3 times and lock out. Turning the switch off; then on will start the re-try clock again.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 04:35 PM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 29
That's what I ment,thank you.The reset light comes on and stays on, I do shut the power switch off and back on again and then the water heater goes on. Is it normal for the water heater to go out after it has been on all day and then you have to turn it off and then on again to reset it, also is it okay to leave it on all the time you are camping?
bojack is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 05:43 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
caper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,031
We leave our WH on all the time. It is not normal for the WH to go out. It sounds like you have a problem with the gas supply or have a spider problem.
__________________
Terry and Janet
2008 3001W Windjammer
2007 Ford F150
caper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 05:50 PM   #8
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
Quote:
Originally Posted by bojack View Post
That's what I ment,thank you.The reset light comes on and stays on, I do shut the power switch off and back on again and then the water heater goes on. Is it normal for the water heater to go out after it has been on all day and then you have to turn it off and then on again to reset it, also is it okay to leave it on all the time you are camping?
OK, The 10 Gallon Suburban Water Heater Manual is in the Files Section of the Forum.

1) The water heater only runs when the water needs to heat up (water temperature below 100 degrees).

2) It knows it needs heat, because the 12 volt DC power switch is on and the high limit switch is closed (Opens at 120 degrees). This sends 12 VDC power to the spark and propane control board.

3) The Control board sends 12VDC to the propane solenoid that opens and lets gas out into the combustion tube. It also sends a spark signal to the spark control and 12VDC to the "reset" light.

4) The control board will open the propane valve for 15 seconds to purge the gas lines prior to sending the spark signal.

5)The spark lights the propane and heats the water.

6) The board continues to provide 12VDC to the propane solenoid AND the RESET light until the high limit switch opens at water temp 120 degrees.

If no ignition, the board will re-try the light cycle. A light cycle is a 15 second purge followed by spark. It will do this 3 times and lock out the control board. It may take many cycles if the propane lines are empty.

If you turn off the gas when you are not using it; then turn the gas on and try to get hot water you may experience the symptoms you describe.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Capture.jpg
Views:	95
Size:	47.4 KB
ID:	15806  
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Water Heater swinstall.pdf (2.23 MB, 26 views)
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 06:24 PM   #9
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
OK, back.

My thoughts run similarly (propane problem).

1) You are shutting off the gas at the cylinder when you don't need hot water instead of shutting off the water heater switch. (long purge times may fill the lines eventually and then it runs fine.)

or

2) You have a blockage in the flue that is causing an over rich mixture that will not burn. (Lock out helps clear the rich mixture and allows a light).
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-27-2012, 08:49 PM   #10
Tim & Lisa Trempert
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 458
Mine does the same thing. I called my dealer and he said probably spider webs. I haven't used a pipe cleaner yet to see if there are any in there. If it's not that, it may be a bad valve.
__________________
Tim & Lisa
2011 Georgetown 350
Trempert is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
led pad

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:57 AM.