30FKSS Water Heater

Rschoey · 10-10-2012, 07:53 PM

I am a new TT owner. I have a Wildwood 30FKSS and I am trying to find out if the hot water heater is gas and electric or only gas. I don't have the manuals with me and I am presently camping. How can I determine which type of hot water heater I have?

Thanks,
Rhonda

**bikendan** · 10-10-2012, 10:18 PM

most FR products have Suburban WHs, that have the electric switch on the WH itself. it's accessed thru the outside WH hatch door. it's a little black toggle switch that sometimes has a cotter pin thru it.
if the WH doesn't have this, it's probably propane-only.
you can also check the AC breaker panel. if it is electric too, it'll have a dedicated breaker switch that should be marked WH.

**Herk7769** · 10-10-2012, 10:38 PM

Like dan said, look outside for your answer.
Open the cover. If you have a black switch out side; you have a Suburban with and AC heating element.

Wildwood Danny · 10-11-2012, 07:23 AM

Our 2005 30FKSS, which we have traded, came with an electric and gas. It had a on/off switch inside the outside panel as shown in post 3, you turn that on and turn on the breaker for the waterheater in the convertor control panel inside the trailer, ours was the botton breaker. To operate on gas we had a switch on the wall over the counter top back wall between the front window and side window. Turn it on and that should light the gas side of heater. If I remember right a red light will come on if it does not light, try again as air sometimes get in the lines and need to work itself out. Both electric and gas can be used at the same time if faster recovery is needed.

Rschoey · 10-11-2012, 09:06 AM

This is what I have. So I am assuming I have electric since I have a breaker for it? Also, it looks like the switch inside the compartment was on when I bought the camper.the camper sat in my driveway for about a month before I placed in on my camping lot.

**Herk7769** · 10-11-2012, 09:34 AM

So, if the water was drained you will definitly need a new AC element (make sure you buy a 120 VAC one).

RV - Electric Element - Fits Suburban Water Heaters - 1500 watt - Threaded | eBay

You most likely also need a new anode, so get one of those at the same time.

Suburban Water Heater Magnesium Anode Rod part #232767 | eBay

Both are inexpensive and you should be "good to go!"

Rschoey · 10-11-2012, 10:01 AM

What is the normal size for the WH? How do I find out the size of my WH? I am so tired of taking 2 minute showers. I barely have time to wash my hair.

TexasBBQ · 10-11-2012, 12:38 PM

Many are 6 gallon but a lot of dealers order or upgrade to the 10 gallon unit. In the picture you posted you can see a couple labels. One of those will have the discription or model number of the tank. There may also be another label on the right side (out of picture view) that has that info. Get the model number and got to their website to download the manual.

**Herk7769** · 10-11-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rschoey

What is the normal size for the WH? How do I find out the size of my WH? I am so tired of taking 2 minute showers. I barely have time to wash my hair.

2 minute shower? You should check your bypass valve. It might be open.

Our 6 gallon hot water heater provides plenty of hot water for 2 people using the "navy shower" technique or one person using the "at home" technique.

Using both propane and AC electric at the same time could also help you with faster recovery times.

Wildwood Danny · 10-12-2012, 05:22 PM

Take the old element to Home Depot and match it up, Camco makes replacement elements that HD sells and might not cost as much as from RV Part supplier. After turning water heater on without having water in it, we got the replacemet from Home Depot and had it about 5 years without any trouble.

Herk, will the Home Depot element work?

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