Hot water heater on Electric

[Mountndream]

So yesterday when leaving our campground, i turned off the water, and used the drain valves to bleed off any remaining water. I failed to turn off the Hot water heater on electric when I did. I am guessing that I blew the element. Anyone know the Part number or Where i can order one somewhat quickly?

[kenandterry]

It would help a lot if we knew what model and size of water heater. I'm guessing a Suburban brand as opposed to Atwood. You should be able to get some of the info somewhere inside the door to the unit.

Camping World carries most parts........if not a local RV parts place. It's not a huge job to remove the element and take it with you.

[awellis3]

And I'm guessing you're wrong. Draining the system at the low point drains usually won't empty the HW tank. When you unpugged the electric, the heating element shut down. It may have not been on at all depending on water temp. I would assume it is ok and test it out at your earliest convenience.

[RhoZeta]

Originally Posted by awellis3

And I'm guessing you're wrong. Draining the system at the low point drains usually won't empty the HW tank. When you unpugged the electric, the heating element shut down. It may have not been on at all depending on water temp. I would assume it is ok and test it out at your earliest convenience.

I have no idea on his but on mine if I open low point drains it will completely empty my HW tank along with all the lines.

[rana]

Originally Posted by Mountndream

I failed to turn off the Hot water heater on electric when I did. I am guessing that I blew the element.

Not necessarily. If you had already disconnected your shore power prior to that you should be golden. Bet you don't forget again

[Mountndream]

i know that my Low points drain the Hot water heater. Also, i am positive that I turned the electric off last. it was hot and wanted to keep the AC going.

[wmtire]

KyDan has a tutorial in the replacement of the electric element in the FAQ section here on the forums, along with where to buy.

I know offhand the stock element is usually 1440 watts on the later Suburban water heaters.

[OldCoot]

Make sure you buy the wrench to remove the element.

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Make sure you buy the wrench to remove the element.

In my case the wrench cost more than the element and it ended up to be a faulty switch, not the element.

[rana]

If you have a freight harbor nearby you can pick up a wrench for around $6. Last I saw.

[hkreck]

I'm looking into the Hott Rod H/W electric conversion kit. Installs pretty easy and just plugs it into a 110v outlet. Won't forget to turn it off as once the 110 is disconnected the power goes off to it. They have them at CW in 6 and 10 Gallon sizes.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by hkreck

I'm looking into the Hott Rod H/W electric conversion kit. Installs pretty easy and just plugs it into a 110v outlet. Won't forget to turn it off as once the 110 is disconnected the power goes off to it. They have them at CW in 6 and 10 Gallon sizes.

We've discussed those several times here in the forums. IIRC, the anode portion of the hott rod is not cheap, and will need to be replaced more frequently than a regular anode rod, which Suburban brand water heaters need the anode.

[rana]

I think that is more for converting propane only WH's to propane/electric which yours already is. You already have a controller board and all that so I don't know if it would benefit you much for the extra $70. At the moment, all you need is a new element. Yours also will shut off when you disconnect shore power. Just sayin...

[rana]

What's the advantage to a Hot Rod over a standard element? I've never seen them before.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by hkreck

I'm looking into the Hott Rod H/W electric conversion kit. Installs pretty easy and just plugs it into a 110v outlet. Won't forget to turn it off as once the 110 is disconnected the power goes off to it. They have them at CW in 6 and 10 Gallon sizes.

I also seem to remember these being low wattage (requires more time to heat) compared to the 1440 watt factory installed suburban electric elements.

[hkreck]

I would think it would be easier to replace the Hott rod over the element? I see what wmtire is saying about cost but anything on a specialized unit cost more than the regular equipment. I've never used the electric on my H/W heater before my has a cotter key through the switch and the instructions for using it seemed complicated. Maybe I should look at it again. But the hot rod looked to be easier to use.

[rana]

Not so much. As is you just pull out the cotter pin, flip the switch and your rollin. Might just give yours a try a few times to see how it meets your needs. But to each his own. Looks like the hot rod just screws in the same as the anode that's in there now. But I dunno.. I never tried one.

[bob213]

1440 Watt elements are available at Ace Hardware(Camco). Home Depot and Lowes carry 1500 Watt that work fine. Wrench is available that all three. This video makes it a little easier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBwr...ature=youtu.be

[rana]

Originally Posted by bob213

This video makes it a little easier:

Great resource! Thanks!

And apologies to the OP for hijacking his thread about the Hot Rod's.

[Mountndream]

thanks for all the help and esp the video. Replaced the element last night. Was suprised how easy it was

It took longer to run back to Lowes to get the wrench than it did to install. I had a rack of shower handle wrenches but they only went to 1 7/16 inch. You need the 1 1/2 inch wrench.

Thank again