Water heater not working on AC (SOLVED)

MaD · 07-10-2012, 08:05 AM

My water heater only seems to be working on propane.

There is a switch outside in the WH area it had a pin in it to keep it Off. I turned on the switch on the inside of the trailer next the to the propane switch. Left it on over night still no hot water. I also tried with both switches on and still no luck. I checked the breakers everything is ok.

Is there something else i'm missing?

TURBS · 07-10-2012, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaD

My water heater only seems to be working on propane.

There is a switch outside in the WH area it had a pin in it to keep it Off. I turned on the switch on the inside of the trailer next the to the propane switch. Left it on over night still no hot water. I also tried with both switches on and still no luck. I checked the breakers everything is ok.

Is there something else i'm missing?

Did you check the reset breakers on hw heater?
Was it full of water when you turned on electric and or propane switches?

MaD · 07-10-2012, 08:23 AM

Yes, i reset the breaker just to make sure, tested the pressure valve to make sure there was water in it. Worked in a short time with the propane.

TURBS · 07-10-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaD

Yes, i reset the breaker just to make sure, tested the pressure valve to make sure there was water in it. Worked in a short time with the propane.

Take heater element cover off and turn on electric side of heater.
Make sure water is cold.
Check across both terminals at element. You should have no less than 110v.

**Herk7769** · 07-10-2012, 08:39 AM

The AC side of the water heater is independent of the propane side. It is the simplest to troubleshoot as well.

The two limit switches are located under the rubber reset covers. Press both (through the rubber cover!) and try the AC again.

If that does not work remove the two screws holding the rubber cover on and check for AC voltage. If you have voltage on one of the terminals of the AC limit switch but not on the other after you reset it, the limit switch is bad.

Note the one on the left (AC in this photo) has "opened" and the one on the right (DC) is "OK".

If you have AC voltage on both terminals and still no hot water, the heating element is bad.

MaD · 07-10-2012, 09:25 AM

Thanks a lot. I will try that out tonight.

MaD · 07-11-2012, 11:58 AM

Found the issue, there were wires behind the water heater not hooked up properly. Easy fix.
Thanks for all your help.

vduke · 08-05-2012, 08:30 PM

Does both switches have to be in the on position to use electricity?

MaD · 08-05-2012, 08:37 PM

Mine had a pin through the switch in the outside compartment. This means the switch is a dummy switch. It was in off position with a pin through it.

bob213 · 08-05-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaD

Mine had a pin through the switch in the outside compartment. This means the switch is a dummy switch. It was in off position with a pin through it.

That's not always true. Most Suburban WHs are shipped with the pin thru the switch to keep them from being turned on accidentally without water in the tank. Alot of Suburban WHs do not have an AC switch on the inside of the trailer..only a propane switch. Then you have to go outside and turn on that toggle switch to get it to run on electric.

**Herk7769** · 08-05-2012, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vduke

Does both switches have to be in the on position to use electricity?

Unlike the fridge; they are actually two totally separate water heating systems.

Here are the two wiring diagrams for the Suburban Water Heater as an example.

vduke · 08-06-2012, 07:57 AM

Thank you Bob this is new to use our other TT has an electric ignitor and be do not have to flip switches. I appreciate this.

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