Waterheater brainfart

[locknload]

OK this is our third season in our 831RKSS and our last trip was the first this year. We don't have hot water unless I flip the 'hot water' rocker on the control panel and it lights blue. I thought that switch was for boondocking?

In the water heater access panel outside, the power switch is turned on and I tried to reset the breaker in the same exterior access panel. Maybe I had a tough winter but I don't remember any of this before, it just worked. We're leaving this afternoon for trip #2, thanks in advance for any and all help.

[cardinal4fun]

I beleive that the rocker switch inside on the controll pannel is for propane operation. It really has nothing to do with "boondocking". If I understand you the switch on the outside of your unit is a small toggle switch. That switch is for the electric heating rod. Hope this helps

[DonG]

How long did you wait after turning on the electric element in the heater? It takes a while for it to heat up the tank full of cold water.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by locknload

OK this is our third season in our 831RKSS and our last trip was the first this year. We don't have hot water unless I flip the 'hot water' rocker on the control panel and it lights blue. I thought that switch was for boondocking?

In the water heater access panel outside, the power switch is turned on and I tried to reset the breaker in the same exterior access panel. Maybe I had a tough winter but I don't remember any of this before, it just worked. We're leaving this afternoon for trip #2, thanks in advance for any and all help.

Fyi you can use both gas and electric to heat your hw. Or individually if wanted.
We use electric to keep hot and use both when taking showers for faster recovery.

[kenandterry]

Just remember.........the rocker switch in the outside panel is to power the electric heating element of the hot water tank when you camp with electrical services. If you had NO water in the hot water tank when this switch was in the "ON" position, you may have "cooked" the element, and you'll need to buy a new one. You mentioned this was your first trip this season, so I'm thinking your system had been drained for winterization????

The rocker switch inside your unit is to control the propane heater for the water tank. Once again, you would NOT want to activate this switch without any water in the tank, but you can use both elements, as mentioned, for faster recovery times.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Just remember.........the rocker switch in the outside panel is to power the electric heating element of the hot water tank when you camp with electrical services. If you had NO water in the hot water tank when this switch was in the "ON" position, you may have "cooked" the element, and you'll need to buy a new one. You mentioned this was your first trip this season, so I'm thinking your system had been drained for winterization????

The rocker switch inside your unit is to control the propane heater for the water tank. Once again, you would NOT want to activate this switch without any water in the tank, but you can use both elements, as mentioned, for faster recovery times.

Ken keep in mind that newer models are coming with the electric switch for hw heater inside the camper and the switch on the hw heater is disabled.
I understand the op unit is several years old but may be the case in other units.

[locknload]

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by cardinal4fun

I beleive that the rocker switch inside on the controll pannel is for propane operation. It really has nothing to do with "boondocking". If I understand you the switch on the outside of your unit is a small toggle switch. That switch is for the electric heating rod. Hope this helps

I thought boondocking was when you would mainly use propane for the water heater, when you don't have power. Yes the outside switch is a small blck switch, well, the size of a house light switch.

Originally Posted by DonG

How long did you wait after turning on the electric element in the heater? It takes a while for it to heat up the tank full of cold water.

All day . I can only hear and feel the heater's exhaust after I flip the inside switch. So it looks like it's only running on propane. I did check the fuses but I'll check again. Thanks again.

[Vern]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Ken keep in mind that newer models are coming with the electric switch for hw heater inside the camper and the switch on the hw heater is disabled.
I understand the op unit is several years old but may be the case in other units.

We just took delivery of a 2013 Windjammer 3008W with the hot water propane switch on the control panel and the electric operation switch tucked away at lower left of the outside access.

[locknload]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Just remember.........the rocker switch in the outside panel is to power the electric heating element of the hot water tank when you camp with electrical services. If you had NO water in the hot water tank when this switch was in the "ON" position, you may have "cooked" the element, and you'll need to buy a new one. You mentioned this was your first trip this season, so I'm thinking your system had been drained for winterization????

The rocker switch inside your unit is to control the propane heater for the water tank. Once again, you would NOT want to activate this switch without any water in the tank, but you can use both elements, as mentioned, for faster recovery times.

Ken that's a good point and for a moment I thought of that. I equated it to a water heater hanging in an empty fish tank. I think I remember the switch being on when I pulled the panel cover. Arghhhhhhh! I bet that's the problem. Any idea how involved replacing the electric element is? Thanks.

[Triguy]

What model HWH do you have locknload? There might be a sticker on the right side of the panel with the model listed.

[locknload]

I need to check when I get home on the model#. I called our dealer just to see what they had, if it's a Suburban 'U' shaped element, it's around $15. Luckily we're camping pretty close to the dealer so I can just make a quick run up there. I'll bring some tools just incase.

[kenandterry]

Locknload.......... We've all "bin dare dun dat" Replacing the element is very simple. Just unfasten small screws covering black plastic cover located behind the propane metal tubing passing in front....(if it's a Suburban) and unscrew the element

[bob213]

Much easier to remove the element if you have the proper tool. They are about $8 and are probably the equivalent to a 2 1/2 in. socket. Home Depot or Lowes will have them (along with the element) if the Rv dealer doesn't or is too far away.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Locknload.......... We've all "bin dare dun dat" Replacing the element is very simple. Just unfasten small screws covering black plastic cover located behind the propane metal tubing passing in front....(if it's a Suburban) and unscrew the element

Weeeeeeeeeell not ALL of us! Lol
Good luck!
To the op ..... you need a list such as us to tear down after each trip.
As well as a winterizing /dewinterizing list.
We laminate them and are hung on the back sides of cuboard doors.


Things such as
hw heater switches
Water pump
Antenna
Doors shut
Etc etc

[Triguy]

Before you go and replaced the electric element, have you reset the 120VAC, yet?

If its a Suburban like the SW6DE, its equipped with a high temperature limit to cut-out above 180 deg F. These temps will cause the manual reset button to trip and shuts down the electric element. Push the reset button to re-activate the element (assuming its not cooked).

The water needs to be below 100 deg F to reset the element so try again if the first time you did it was hotter than 100 from the gas heater.

[Capsfloyd]

Originally Posted by locknload

OK this is our third season in our 831RKSS and our last trip was the first this year. We don't have hot water unless I flip the 'hot water' rocker on the control panel and it lights blue. I thought that switch was for boondocking?

In the water heater access panel outside, the power switch is turned on and I tried to reset the breaker in the same exterior access panel. Maybe I had a tough winter but I don't remember any of this before, it just worked. We're leaving this afternoon for trip #2, thanks in advance for any and all help.

We have the same model 831 RKSS 2012 . There is a black rocker switch on the water heater Front panel on the left lower side for elec. on and off , inside on panel turns on switch for propane .

You had your a few yrs how has the TT held up ? Any major problems ?

Good luck on HW Heater

[Indy Steve]

Question about the same model....noticed a noise that sounded like a gas flame or boiling water from outside tonight. Gas is off and have never had it make noise before when only heating with electric. Is it possible the the thermostat went out and I'm hearing the water continue to boil. When I flip the circuit off all is quiet, back on and sounds like boiling again within a few seconds. Any ideas?

[papap]

Make sure you do not have air in water heater tank.

[EXGMTech]

have you looked @ the trailer's MAIN breaker panel for a "WATER HEATER" breaker? I turn mine off there every time I plug in to my house box.

[OldCoot]

The boiling noise could also be from sediment in the bottom of the tank. Check the anode (after you turn off the gas and electric element) I would wager it is in need of replacement and you have a bunch of gunk in the bottom of the tank.