suburban hot water heater

[spudster]

my water heater suburban 6 gallon will not work on electric .I have replaced the heating element still no hot water.it is in 2013 sunseeker .I have not had hot water on electric since I bought motor home new.is there a switch or fuse that I am missing .I have switch button out side to electric on under out side cover. would appreaciate any help thanks

[nomad297]

Have you tried pushing the black rubber reset button on the heater?

Bruce

[KyDan]

Most RV water heaters are plugged into a single 3 prong socket that is typically
found on the back side of the water heater tank.
It's not unusual for that to be unplugged on a new unit.
In fact- I am not kidding- I was camping 2 weeks ago when my neighbor came in with a brand new camper. I noticed him going in and out looking
at the outside of his WH. I was nosy so I went over to offer any help.
He had already checked the black circuit breaker inside in his fuse box-
it was on.
He had checked his "hidden rocker switch" which is outside hiding behind
the burner tube.
All were on but no heat on electric. I wish I could say I mentioned it but I was out of ideas other than burned out heater element or bad thermostat/safety cut out switch.
He called his dealer and they told him to check the plug behind the water heater. His was accessed under the bed- and it WAS unplugged.

Yours might be unplugged OR it might be a bad/tripped/burned out thermostat/reset switch.
Check the plug first and if it's plugged in- check the plug for power with a
meter or simply plug a light or some other electric device into the socket to make sure it's got power.

If the socket is hot then you need to check for power AT the heater element.
Place meter leads across the heater connection and you should read 120v
ac.

If it's plugged in and no power AT the heater- it must be the rocker switch or the thermostat/safety cut out. One or the other is bad/off/burned out.
Yes the thermostat can burn out too. I had one do that.

Good luck! and BE CAREFUL!! IF you are uncomfortable around 120v AC then call a professional please!

[spudster]

thanks a lot water heater is pluged in . will have to check for power at heat element .can not get to electric outlet to check to see if hot.

[Flybob]

X2 push both small round black buttons ( over temp safety) above outside switch. If one clicks it was tripped.

[spudster]

pushed both buttons and did nothing.how would I tes.t the heat element to be sure it is not bad. thanks

[bubbles]

Have you checked your power distribution panel to insure the water heater circuit breaker has not tripped?

[wildwoodtraveler]

Originally Posted by spudster

my water heater suburban 6 gallon will not work on electric .I have replaced the heating element still no hot water.it is in 2013 sunseeker .I have not had hot water on electric since I bought motor home new.is there a switch or fuse that I am missing .I have switch button out side to electric on under out side cover. would appreaciate any help thanks

I have a 2011 Wildwood. Same issue. Bought used 3 years ago. They barely used it. I took it to Camping World to have a HotRodd installed. They called me back and told me it was already set for electric EXCEPT the manufacturer never ran the electric power cord to the water heater. The breaker box was marked for it, the switch was there, but guess the guy went to lunch in the middle of the install and never finished the job. CW ran the wire and installed the plug and I was good to go. Might also be your issue.

[Galavanting Lollygagger]

The electric thermostat went open on ours. It is a cheap fix.

[EdnKat]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Have you checked your power distribution panel to insure the water heater circuit breaker has not tripped?

x2, open the breaker yourself, then close it. Turn it off, then turn it on. My AC wouldn't run, opened and closed the breakers, main and AC, VOILA!!! I'm an AC tech. Last month I couldn't even spell 'AC tech', now, I R 1!!!

[KyDan]

The final check requires you to remove the burner tube again and test for
voltage across the heating element connections.
If you have voltage there and no heat it's the element again.
IF you don't have voltage at the element you have to check up stream which
is the rocker switch, or thermostat/safety switch, or power at the outlet??
You really need to check for power at the outlet somehow.

My 2¢
Good luck!

[EdnKat]

Originally Posted by KyDan

The final check requires you to remove the burner tube again and test for
voltage across the heating element connections.
If you have voltage there and no heat it's the element again.
IF you don't have voltage at the element you have to check up stream which
is the rocker switch, or thermostat/safety switch, or power at the outlet??
You really need to check for power at the outlet somehow.

My 2¢
Good luck!

And, be sure the tank is full before turning the heater element on. my 2 Lincolns. Now you have 4.

[Gear Grinder]

If you have the rocker switch for the water heater in the on position at the convenience center your water heater will only work on propane.

[goots]

Try looking for a rocker switch outside on water heater that need to be on the On position, but make sure you turn it Off when you're not plug in shore power

[raspivey]

Originally Posted by Gear Grinder

If you have the rocker switch for the water heater in the on position at the convenience center your water heater will only work on propane.

You can run them both at the same time.

[goots]

Yes, but you will be using propane and also using shore power, no need for that

[raspivey]

Useful when first heating up and when taking showers to replenish faster. I do that and then turn off the propane.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Gear Grinder

If you have the rocker switch for the water heater in the on position at the convenience center your water heater will only work on propane.

Doesn't sound correct to me. My (and most) Suburbans will run both gas and electric at the same time.