Water heater not working via the electric water heater switch

[erichardy]

We have a nearly brand new (Purchased in late March 2018) 2018, Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S. We have had it out 3 times or so, and each time we flip the switch to turn on the water heater (In electric mode) the water does not heat up. If I turn on the gas, and flip on the gas water heater button, then I get hot water. There is a switch in the water heater compartment that I have tried in both positions, but so far, only hot water when I use it in Gas mode. Does anyone have any ideas about what could be wrong and why it won't work in electric mode (Maybe that I am doing wrong) or things to look for before I take it in for service? Any help with pictures if possible, would be greatly appreciated!!

[A32Deuce]

Sounds like either the element is burnt out or its not getting 120volts. Check the circuit breaker for the water heater.
There are two resets in an oval above and to the left or the pressure relief. Try pushing the right one.

[wmtire]

See if these threads can be of help:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1870762

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

[grumpy0374]

If at anytime in the past, prior to your ownership, the electric mode was turned on without water in the heater tank, the element will have burned out. Takes only a matter of seconds.
Good thing is that if it is, it's easy to replace and cheap to do.
Grumpy

[A32Deuce]

If you call Suburban, they have a new element that won't burn out if there is no w a tee in the tank. Just let it cool then add water.

[erichardy]

Suburban........Rest of the name?
Website?

Thanks!

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by A32Deuce

Sounds like either the element is burnt out or its not getting 120volts. Check the circuit breaker for the water heater.
There are two resets in an oval above and to the left or the pressure relief. Try pushing the right one.

The electric hi-limit thermostat is actually the left one. The propane hi-limit thermostat is the right one.

Suburban has stated the new elements will last longer than the old ones, if you energize the circuit with no water in the tank, but the new ones will still burn out. Their service manager sent us a letter to that effect, which is included here:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1661524

[ejs23]

I had the same problem, turned the switch off in the coach, and on outside at the heater and it works fine. Seems if it was in the automatic mode it should heat on 110 but didn't. Check for 110v at the 110 burner, if on burner is bad if off go back to the hi limit and check for 110.

[jkoenig24]

You do know that there's a SECOND rocker switch ON the water heater itself, right? BOTH the inside switch AND the very small black outside rocker switch MUST be in the "ON" position before you can heat water with electricity.

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by erichardy

We have a nearly brand new (Purchased in late March 2018) 2018, Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S. We have had it out 3 times or so, and each time we flip the switch to turn on the water heater (In electric mode) the water does not heat up. If I turn on the gas, and flip on the gas water heater button, then I get hot water. There is a switch in the water heater compartment that I have tried in both positions, but so far, only hot water when I use it in Gas mode. Does anyone have any ideas about what could be wrong and why it won't work in electric mode (Maybe that I am doing wrong) or things to look for before I take it in for service? Any help with pictures if possible, would be greatly appreciated!!

Have you verified the water heater is actually plugged in? If not get to the back of the heater and see if the power cord is plugged in.

[Scrapper]

Not knowing which model of Suburban WH the OP has, one needs to point out that not all Suburban water heaters have two switches for the electric heating element.


Just read the links that wmtire posted and they will help you figure it out.

[KyDan]

Bubbles beat me to it. It's not uncommon for a new rig to be shipped with the water heater unplugged. I have seen it myself.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Bubbles beat me to it. It's not uncommon for a new rig to be shipped with the water heater unplugged. I have seen it myself.

There is pictures of such in the first link of post #3

[kenandterry]

jkoenig24......

For Suburban water heaters that are both propane and electric.....the inside switch is for propane operation. The small black outside switch is for electric operation. They work independently of each other.

You can run propane only from the inside switch.
You can run electric only from the outside switch.
For faster recovery heating.....turn on both.
They both have individual thermostats, and individual reset buttons.

[ejs23]

Yes , that's my experience too, which is not clear in the manual. My 110/gas heater on my 2014 FR Solera works on electric with just the toggle switch on the H2O heater on, and the inside switch off. With inside switch on it runs on propane regardless of outside switch position.