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 05-22-2008, 06:50 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 156
Hot Water Heater - Electric mode

Purchased my 8317SS new last July. I never knew that I had the electric heat option on my water heater until last week when a friend showed me the hidden switch on his new unit located outside behind the access panel of the water heater.

When I arrived at a campground this past weekend and after hooking up and ensuring that the tank was full of water I took the cotter pin out and switched it in the on position. Never got any heat. I looked at the breaker inside and it was in the on position (flicked it off and back on just in case).

Any ideas on how to get it working? Another switch or procedure??

Thanks in advance -- Rob
__________________
OREGONCAMPER
2008 Rockwood 8317SS - 2010 F150

2013 Camping Days: 22
2012 89 2011 50 2010 61
OregonCamper's Pics click here
OregonCamper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2008, 07:26 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
wildwood's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 379
pen removed, external swith on

do you have some rubber molded boots in the side of your heater that say reset? i dont know if these need to be reset, i want to investigate their purpose my self also

check breaker inside in panelboard to ensure in on position

http://www.rvcomfort.com/suburban/se..._questions.php
__________________
2008 Wildwood LE 29BHBS
wildwood is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2008, 10:36 PM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
Dave_Monica's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,327
The electric element may be burnt out...happens when you put power to the element with the water heater empty(I proved that out last fall). If you measure 120 volts across the element's terminals but don't get hot water, the element is toast.
__________________


Nights camped in 2013 - 55, 2014 - 105, 2015 - 63
Dave_Monica is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2008, 06:18 AM   #4
Site Team
 
KyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,505
What he said!
Also, if you have a little digital multi meter, you can
TURN THE BREAKER OFF,
and measure across the heater terminals in Ohms setting.
If you get very high/infinite ohms it's burned out.

Since you removed the cotter pin yourself, I wonder if you don't
have voltage there somehow. Be sure and check for voltage (120v AC)
there first. Could be miss wired or something if it's never been used.

Good luck!
Let us know what you find out.
KyDan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2008, 06:51 AM   #5
Site Team
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
If the element is burned out your local big box store will have a replacement that will work. It's not difficult to replace just make sure the power is off and the tank is depressurized (open the T&P valve to make sure).
__________________
Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
Bama Rambler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2008, 12:24 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Jacksonville Florida
Posts: 1,264
My Flagstaff has a switch on the wall by the bedroom door, where the A/C controls and tank level indicators are that says "water heater". When switching from gas to electric, you have a hidden power switch under the outside ventilation cover. Once that is on, you have to be sure your breaker in the WFCO power center is on, then I flip my rocker switch on the wall to the on position, and it lights up red. I then wait for about 10 seconds while the automatic system takes over. Once it's on, the light goes off. You now have hot water (after about 15 mins.) Hope this helps you! Randy
__________________
/SIGPIC]'08 V-lite Flagstaff 30WRLS
'06 Ram 1500 QC hemi Reese dual cam sway control,
K&N series 77 intake, Hellwig helper spgs. LT tires,
Flowmaster "true duals", 380 h.p., Bilstein shocks
08flagvlite is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

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 10:33 PM.