Suburban Water Heater Trouble shooting

[MontanaWill]

I found this thread on YouTube for trouble shooting the suburban water heater with dual power. Very informative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5jN3tHVAnU

I also discovered what the light on the water heater switch means. This is the switch inside the RV on the cabinets with a red light next to it. my 2010 Wildcat. When the light is on that means that the water heater is trying to light. When light goes off that means that the burner is lit, has timed out?, or that the tank has reached the thermostat set temp. It is labeled "Reset" but does not mean a reset is needed. The light being out does not mean that the water heater is not working, it just means it is not trying to light now. Be sure the gas is on and run gas to the stove to clear the lines. Be sure you have 12 volts or more. I also discovered that I can leave the AC switch on and use the WH 110V breaker to turn the water heater on or off. easier than going outside and removing the cover. Cheers

[SeaDog]

This is something that is often overlooked on the PDI by the dealership showing the rig to the buyer during sale. I think Youtube videos are great as long as you take them with a grain of salt.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Originally Posted by MontanaWill

When the light is on that means that the water heater is trying to light. When light goes off that means that the burner is lit, has timed out?, or that the tank has reached the thermostat set temp. It is labeled "Reset" but does not mean a reset is needed. The light being out does not mean that the water heater is not working, it just means it is not trying to light now. Be sure the gas is on and run gas to the stove to clear the lines. Be sure you have 12 volts or more. I also discovered that I can leave the AC switch on and use the WH 110V breaker to turn the water heater on or off. easier than going outside and removing the cover. Cheers

In our tt, it meant that the wh had lit when the light went off. You could usually hear the gas light. Now if it goes off and then the light goes on again, it means a failure to light on propane.
You shouldn't have to go outside or use the breaker to turn the wh on. There is usually a switch inside the rig to turn the wh 'on' using electric.
What kind of wh do you have? Most will run on both electric and propane which makes it faster to reheat the water in the tank.

[Barryv]

I can’t find a switch to turn the electric on the water heater I do have a red switch behind the stove that I don’t know what it is.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Barryv

I can’t find a switch to turn the electric on the water heater I do have a red switch behind the stove that I don’t know what it is.

We have NO idea what kind of RV you have, so there’s no hope to help resolve your problem with your mystery switch, or if you even have an electric water heater.

[Barryv]

Sorry about that it’s a 2016 Coachman clipper 17 FQ.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Barryv

I can’t find a switch to turn the electric on the water heater I do have a red switch behind the stove that I don’t know what it is.

It would help if you posted make and model number of WH.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Barryv

I can’t find a switch to turn the electric on the water heater I do have a red switch behind the stove that I don’t know what it is.

If you have a Suburban brand tank type water heater in your RV, then this thread link below may help you locate the switch for the electric heating element (if equipped)


https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ore-36197.html

[Barryv]

Model SW6 D
Serial #151307885

Thanks

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Barryv

Model SW6 D
Serial #151307885

Thanks

That model is propane (Direct Spark Ignition) only. If there is no E in the model number after the D, then you do not have an electric heating element.

[wmtire]

Here is a screenshot from an Suburban repair manual. I've always chuckled at their spelling of "explination"

[wmtire]

Here is a more detailed breakdown:

[Barryv]

Thanks everyone, helped a lot.

[MontanaWill]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

In our tt, it meant that the wh had lit when the light went off. You could usually hear the gas light. Now if it goes off and then the light goes on again, it means a failure to light on propane.
You shouldn't have to go outside or use the breaker to turn the wh on. There is usually a switch inside the rig to turn the wh 'on' using electric.
What kind of wh do you have? Most will run on both electric and propane which makes it faster to reheat the water in the tank.

I have a 2010 or so Suburban water heater. The 110 AC switch is on the outside of the tank under the outside cover, just below the gas valves. There is no switch inside the rig for AC power except the AC breaker. The inside switch is for 12 volt and Propane. So I considered that the breaker could be used as the inside switch. The light on the DC switch had me confused. It is off when the thermostat has reached its set point and also off when the propane has lit. It is on when the unit is ready to light/ trying to light.

[Barryv]

I did figure out what the red switch was for, The original owner put a fan in the fridge and the switch turns the fan off and on.