Community Forums

Mr.Nemo · 09-18-2021, 04:03 PM

Hello, I have a Suburban water heater on my 98’ Dutch Star. Issue I’m having is on the electric side of it. It just doesn’t get hot enough. I have troubleshooted the problem and found the electric element was bad. I replaced it and it has improved a lot but still not too where I think it should be. I’m thinking that it has to be the thermostat not keeping the element on. I want to replace that but I don’t know where the T-stat is. When you open the panel there are the 2 that can be reset for the high temperature cut offs. Do those also control regular operations or just turn it off when it gets too hot? I can’t find a good answer online and calling suburban they just refer me to authorized service. I attached a pic of the T-stats I’m talking about.

Jim_HiTek · 09-18-2021, 04:26 PM

IF you have an inside shower head AND an outside shower head with button style off valves on the heads, and you have one or both of those off but the mixing valves for hot and cold still on, note that that will mix water and when you try to get hot water out of say one of the showers, or the sink faucet to wash dishes, that it'll only get warm.

So check that first.

Old-Biscuit · 09-18-2021, 04:41 PM

As your Picture shows
Left SET is the 120VAC for element
Right SET is the 12VDC for propane

Come in sets with Top t-stat being the High temp and trips at 170*F/bottom is the Normal temp and opens at 130*F/closes for reheat at 100*F

High have to be manually reset if they trip
"Push To Reset' circle on Cover

120VAC part number --- 232306

12VDC part number ----233534

****Look close at picture and on the left set the connecting wire between the top High Temp and the bottom Normal temp t-stat is burnt into. (pic is one from Internet)
Wire will burn thru from high amp load....less then the 15A circuit breaker (or DC fuse for right set)

**Showers not turned off via knobs can cause luke warm temps but would happen whether on Electric or Propane

Ljwt330 · 09-18-2021, 07:23 PM

I had the exact same symptom with my Suburban heater, water was not as hot when heated by electric element. Replaced the 120vac thermostat and it’s been fine ever since.

Mr.Nemo · 09-18-2021, 11:29 PM

Thank you for your help. That’s the kind of answer I was looking for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

As your Picture shows
Left SET is the 120VAC for element
Right SET is the 12VDC for propane

Come in sets with Top t-stat being the High temp and trips at 170*F/bottom is the Normal temp and opens at 130*F/closes for reheat at 100*F

High have to be manually reset if they trip
"Push To Reset' circle on Cover

120VAC part number --- 232306

12VDC part number ----233534

****Look close at picture and on the left set the connecting wire between the top High Temp and the bottom Normal temp t-stat is burnt into. (pic is one from Internet)
Wire will burn thru from high amp load....less then the 15A circuit breaker (or DC fuse for right set)

**Showers not turned off via knobs can cause luke warm temps but would happen whether on Electric or Propane

Mr.Nemo · 09-18-2021, 11:29 PM

I’m hoping that’s how it works for me too. Thank you.

veraken · 09-19-2021, 07:44 AM

Here's the troubleshooting manual for the Surburban WH which may help you

Mr.Nemo · 10-28-2021, 05:23 AM

Just to wrap this one up in case someone else has a similar issue. I troubleshooted it all and originally found that my electric element was bad. After replacing that still was not getting hot. So I bought a new T-Stat and replaced it. This solved my issue. I will say if you have the same problem as me I would recommend 1st taking off your T-stat and cleaning behind it. Mine had a little spot of green corrosion behind it that may have been causing the issue and could have saved me $20. Since I already spent the money I just replaced mine.