Hot Water Issues

[Camper82]

Our hot water heater is having issues. We can heat the water with propane, but not with electricity. We have replaced the electric heating element and the thermostat. But we are still not getting hot water.

Any suggestions for us?

Our appointment with a technician isn’t for a month, so we are hoping we can fix it.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Camper82

Our hot water heater is having issues. We can heat the water with propane, but not with electricity. We have replaced the electric heating element and the thermostat. But we are still not getting hot water.

Any suggestions for us?

Our appointment with a technician isn’t for a month, so we are hoping we can fix it.

Brand, make, year and model of trailer? Atwood/Dometic water heater or Suburban? 6,10, 12 gallon?

The brand and size of the water heater should be inside the compartment door. Could be a switch not on, thrown breaker or ???

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum

Like Danny said, make and model of water heater would help.

[Camper82]

RV is a 2014 Retreat. Hot water tank is a Suburban.

[chuckster57]

Ok, suburban has the heating element on outer end. Take the cover off (3ea 1/4” screws.) then with the water heater turned on electric, and plugged into shore power use a VOlt meter set to AC voltage. Test for current between ground and the black wire.

If there isn’t, then you need to trace back. The switch in the lower left corner is known to be problematic, I would unplug from shore power before testing. Your looking for continuity when turned on.

If that’s good then it’s time to check the breaker in the power distribution panel.

[wiredgeorge]

I know this is dumb but is the A/C breaker for the heating element ON in your power center? If so, where is the switch for the electricity? Is it down on the bottom left of the water heater or do you have a switch on your inside idiot light panel (for the electrical part)?

[sourdough]

OP have you had this trailer for a while and everything was working but now isn't or are you just now trying to get the electric side to work? There is an upside down on/off switch on the water heater (lower left) that has to be on. Is it? Also, I've had to replace 2 of them due to them melting. Troubleshooting the AC side is pretty straight forward. The more information you provide about the situation and circumstances makes it much easier to analyze and saves everyone a lot of time and wasted questions.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by sourdough

OP have you had this trailer for a while and everything was working but now isn't or are you just now trying to get the electric side to work? There is an upside down on/off switch on the water heater (lower left) that has to be on. Is it? Also, I've had to replace 2 of them due to them melting. Troubleshooting the AC side is pretty straight forward. The more information you provide about the situation and circumstances makes it much easier to analyze and saves everyone a lot of time and wasted questions.

Some of the Suburban water heaters have a switch up on the idiot light panel. Mine doesn't and has the switch on the bottom left of the outside part... I think these have the DE extension on the model name... the model of the water heater is on a decal or tag located on the outside part of the unit (on the wall I think?). The model would tell us a lot about how to trouble shoot. I had to replace the rocker switch, thermostat and heating element on mine as it has been left on by some previous owner and all were burn. I replaced the thermostat with a higher temp one so less hot water would be used when showering, in theory. You do have to be careful not to scald yourself when getting into the hot water.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

Some of the Suburban water heaters have a switch up on the idiot light panel. Mine doesn't and has the switch on the bottom left of the outside part... I think these have the DE extension on the model name... the model of the water heater is on a decal or tag located on the outside part of the unit (on the wall I think?). The model would tell us a lot about how to trouble shoot. I had to replace the rocker switch, thermostat and heating element on mine as it has been left on by some previous owner and all were burn. I replaced the thermostat with a higher temp one so less hot water would be used when showering, in theory. You do have to be careful not to scald yourself when getting into the hot water.

Yeah, that's why I was trying to get more info vs every one trying to troubleshoot different water heaters, wired different ways and not knowing what the OP had done, knew or anything else.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Yeah, that's why I was trying to get more info vs every one trying to troubleshoot different water heaters, wired different ways and not knowing what the OP had done, knew or anything else.

Well, will have to see if the OP returns. Signed off before you or I posted.

[bobbecky]

The thermostat/Hi-limit switch on the 120 volt side is also problematic on some Suburban years. Years ago, replaced several parts until I discovered the problem was the thermostat.