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Old 06-05-2016, 10:42 PM   #1
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Water heater issues

We have a suburban model SW6DE water heater in our camper and have been having a lot of trouble with it. On propane, it always overheats and blows the pressure relief valve. I replaced the pressure relief valve, and both the high and low thermostat. Still overheats.
I recently replaced the electric element. Since then I have intermittent hot water. It will go from warm, to cold, to hot, and back to cold. It does the same thing on propane now as well, only water is hotter, but still intermittent.
Tired of the problems. Ready to buy a new hot water heater. Any other things to check?
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Old 06-06-2016, 01:36 PM   #2
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If it's still overheating on propane and opening the T&P valve, and you've replaced the thermostat and T&P valve, then it points to the gas valve not closing when the t-stat calls for it to shut off.

Your heater has two thermostats but they're not high and low, one is for gas and the other is for electric.
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Old 06-06-2016, 01:46 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric1278 View Post
We have a suburban model SW6DE water heater in our camper and have been having a lot of trouble with it. On propane, it always overheats and blows the pressure relief valve. I replaced the pressure relief valve, and both the high and low thermostat. Still overheats.
I recently replaced the electric element. Since then I have intermittent hot water. It will go from warm, to cold, to hot, and back to cold. It does the same thing on propane now as well, only water is hotter, but still intermittent.
Tired of the problems. Ready to buy a new hot water heater. Any other things to check?
Sounds like you have the winterizing 'bypass' valve set incorrectly.
The cold inlet and hot outlet should be open and the bypass valve should be closed for normal operation.

If the bypass valve is open (or partially open) it will give you the intermittent water temps as you described.
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