Water heater won't heat water - 2016 Cedar Creek 34RE

rrolphe · 07-14-2019, 09:32 PM

This is our first big trip and it seems everyday is a new problem. Today our water heater will not heat water. It did this morning, and the day before that, but after moving to a new RV campground today, we connected to city water and we don't get any hot water. I believe our heater is an 'on-demand' style system and the only on/off switch I can find is in the control panel. Can someone tell me if there is another circuit breaker or fuse that I need to check?

**wmtire** · 07-14-2019, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrolphe

This is our first big trip and it seems everyday is a new problem. Today our water heater will not heat water. It did this morning, and the day before that, but after moving to a new RV campground today, we connected to city water and we don't get any hot water. I believe our heater is an 'on-demand' style system and the only on/off switch I can find is in the control panel. Can someone tell me if there is another circuit breaker or fuse that I need to check?

Hard to troubleshoot without knowing for sure what brand/model water heater you have.

If it is an on-demand type, many times the problem can be water flow, which has to have a certain amount to heat properly.

If you can get the make/model water heater you have, that will help tremendously and take the guessing out of it...on yours and ours part.

rrolphe · 07-14-2019, 09:58 PM

It is very hard to see. I used a mirror and hopefully have the following correct

Make: Intertek hot water heater
Model: IW80

It does look like it is both gas & electric, but not sure how to switch from one to the other or maybe it is gas only? If so, does the power switch in the control panel control both?

Thanks for your help.

Randy

rrolphe · 07-14-2019, 10:08 PM

Here's a little more info:

Interteck 5001821

rrolphe · 07-15-2019, 01:32 AM

I am replying to my own post with more information. We have a 2016 Cedar Creek Hathaway 5th Wheel edition 34RE. The water heater, a LP Suburban Natutilus Model IW60 (Intertek 5001821) has stopped working. I am a newby to RVing and this is our first big trip since we bought our 5th wheel last fall. The water heater has been working fine up until today after moving to a new RV campground today. After connecting to their water system the water heater stopped working. The only on/off switch I can find is in the control panel. Can someone tell me if there is another circuit breaker or fuse that I need to check? I am also seeing small pieces of rock (despite the filter I have attached) and am wondering if that my have fouled the flow to the hot water tank keeping it from turning on? Any help on how to correct the problem would be very much appreciated.

**wmtire** · 07-15-2019, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrolphe

I am replying to my own post with more information. We have a 2016 Cedar Creek Hathaway 5th Wheel edition 34RE. The water heater, a LP Suburban Natutilus Model IW60 (Intertek 5001821) has stopped working. I am a newby to RVing and this is our first big trip since we bought our 5th wheel last fall. The water heater has been working fine up until today after moving to a new RV campground today. After connecting to their water system the water heater stopped working. The only on/off switch I can find is in the control panel. Can someone tell me if there is another circuit breaker or fuse that I need to check? I am also seeing small pieces of rock (despite the filter I have attached) and am wondering if that my have fouled the flow to the hot water tank keeping it from turning on? Any help on how to correct the problem would be very much appreciated.

Excellent. A suburban IW60 is your make and model. Here is a video below from Suburban on the operation of it as well as some possible reasons for it not to light.

Here is also the service manual on this water heater. It has troubleshooting charts in it.

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/v/vsp...W60-Manual.pdf

One of the things we have seen on these tankless water heaters is that they require a certain water flow rate. If for some reason your water is not flowing enough (Pressure regulator, debris in line, etc), this could keep the burner from firing up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPjbp6v0hGs

It appears you started a second thread (not post) on this same subject matter, which was deleted. As per the site guidelines:

Do not post the same discussion topic more than once or in several areas of the forum.

Old Bleu · 07-15-2019, 01:33 PM

Since this water heater uses LP gas, is there any chance that you shut off your propane supply while travelling and haven't opened one up yet? Or could you be out of propane. Does the propane stove light?

rrolphe · 07-15-2019, 01:43 PM

I wish that was the case. Both tanks are still showing full and the range is working fine. So I don't believe 'gas' is the problem.

houstonstroker · 07-15-2019, 01:56 PM

Did you take off the facet aerator and check for debris?

**Mr. Dan** · 07-15-2019, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houstonstroker

Did you take off the facet aerator and check for debris?

Are you thinking a blocked faucet aerator will prevent the heater from heating water?

Chuck_S · 07-15-2019, 02:07 PM

Are you getting any water out of the hot side?

Water heaters seldom magically stop heating water unless you've turned off the electricity to them or turned off the propane gas. But they should come right back when these are re-activated.

You can run gas and electric at the same time when both sources are available, of course. No gas if the bottles are turned off (or opened quickly). No electric unless connected to shorepower and the switches and circuit breakers are on.

Someone play with valves? Anyone drain the hot water tank?

-- Chuck

rrolphe · 07-15-2019, 02:07 PM

Yes...faucet input appears to be clear.

rrolphe · 07-15-2019, 02:09 PM

Water flows very well through both hot and cold faucets - just no heat. Is there a fuse for the ignitor or a way to reset?

**Mr. Dan** · 07-15-2019, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrolphe

I wish that was the case. Both tanks are still showing full and the range is working fine. So I don't believe 'gas' is the problem.

Looks like the gas in ON.

**Mr. Dan** · 07-15-2019, 02:15 PM

Tankless water heaters (on demand) don't usually operate on electricity.

"One of the things we have seen on these tankless water heaters "

**wmtire** · 07-15-2019, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck_S

You can run gas and electric at the same time

Someone play with valves? Anyone drain the hot water tank?

-- Chuck

Chuck the OP has an on-demand tankless water heater. It does not have a tank... or is electric powered. The video in post #6 will show how this type works.

babock · 07-15-2019, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Tankless water heaters (on demand) don't usually operate on electricity.

"One of the things we have seen on these tankless water heaters "

Yes they do. Need some sort of power to operate controls, igniters, fans...

**Mr. Dan** · 07-15-2019, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babock

Yes they do. Need some sort of power to operate controls, igniters, fans...

They don't use electricity as a power source to heat the water... but you knew that. Does that pass your scrutiny?

rrolphe · 07-15-2019, 02:29 PM

Where does the ignitor gets its power?

**wmtire** · 07-15-2019, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrolphe

Water flows very well through both hot and cold faucets - just no heat. Is there a fuse for the ignitor or a way to reset?

You usually reset a lockout by turning off the switch, if the water heater has tried three times for ignition and failed. It's explained in the video in post #6.

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