Community Forums

BigJerry · 02-20-2018, 06:02 PM

Today our hot water heater wouldn't heat up on electric only. I turned it off, waited a few minutes then started it back up. Nothing. It a suburban SW10DE model. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It's on propane now so we have hot water but don't want to waste. Thanks in advance.

**NLOVNIT** · 02-20-2018, 06:09 PM

It's a common issue. Here's just a few of dozens of threads on the subject, some indicating Suburban units:

HERE

HERE

HERE

HERE

Lori-

gfarmcafe · 02-20-2018, 06:15 PM

I would first check the water heater electrical breaker to see if it's been tripped or turned off by someone who winterized the unit. They typically will do this to prevent burning up the element if it's turned on without water in the tank, which is the second possibility of failure. These elements are fairly easy to check and/or replace. Good luck.

JFXG · 02-20-2018, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigJerry

Today our hot water heater wouldn't heat up on electric only. I turned it off, waited a few minutes then started it back up. Nothing. It a suburban SW10DE model. Any help would be greatly appreciated. It's on propane now so we have hot water but don't want to waste. Thanks in advance.

Jerry, I have the same heater in my DS. Let's eliminate the simple questions first.
You said " today our water heater.....". Did it work properly yesterday? Has it been in storage? How old is it? Check breakers. There will be both a 110V breaker and a 12V fuse.
If it just came out of storage, did someone turn on the electric heat element before the tank filled with water?
There will be separate gas and electric (110V) switches in the over head in front of the passenger seat. Is the electric switch on? There's also a small 110V switch behind the cover plate in the appliance itself. Should be on, but often gets turned off for storage.
Beyond all that it needs troubleshooting.

Btipton · 02-20-2018, 11:24 PM

Ours did that - the high limit thermostat was bad. Replaced it and no problems in two-plus years...

ramblinboy · 02-20-2018, 11:29 PM

Ours did that last season just out of the blue.
We have an outside set of taps and spray head -shower. They were turned on but no draw that alone caused the issue. Taps turned off all back to normal.

BigJerry · 02-21-2018, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFXG

Jerry, I have the same heater in my DS. Let's eliminate the simple questions first.
You said " today our water heater.....". Did it work properly yesterday? Has it been in storage? How old is it? Check breakers. There will be both a 110V breaker and a 12V fuse.
If it just came out of storage, did someone turn on the electric heat element before the tank filled with water?
There will be separate gas and electric (110V) switches in the over head in front of the passenger seat. Is the electric switch on? There's also a small 110V switch behind the cover plate in the appliance itself. Should be on, but often gets turned off for storage.
Beyond all that it needs troubleshooting.

We live in our DS full time and haven't had the rig in storage for a while. I checked the switches and they were both in the on position. Looked at the breakers and fuses too. All good. We had a big thunderstorm the other night and after that no electric hot water. It will be raining here for the next 4 days so after the weather breaks I'll have to get out and use my VM on all the wires and heating element. Thank you for the response. Any other ideas or thoughts would be much appreciated.

RKins · 02-21-2018, 06:44 AM

If you haven't changed the heating element in a while, that's a possibility.

Old-Biscuit · 02-21-2018, 10:24 AM

Suburban uses two separate sets of t-stats
120V AC for electric and 12V DC for propane
They are above gas valve under the 'Push To Reset' cover

LEFT side is for Electric
Right side is for Propane

1st....push to reset and make sure Hi Temp T-stat isn't tripped

If that is not problem then you will need to trace the 120V AC circuit

AC Circuit Breaker >>> On/Off Switch(es) >>>> Hi Temp T-stat (Top--Black Wire) >>> Normal Temp T-stat (Bottom--Black Wire) >>> Element-Black wire >>>> Element -White Wire (Neutral)
S/B 120V AC on element provided water temp is 100*F or colder

AC Power OFF
*Continuity Check across Black/White Wire Terminals----No Continuity BAD Element
*Continuity Check White Wire Terminal to element Flange....Continuity Shorted Element
*Resistance Test across Black/White Wire terminals----10 Ohms