Diagnosing A Suburban RV Water Heater Not Working On Electric

[@RvTipsandTrips]

*Here are the parts used in this video!!* Suburban 232306 Thermostat Switch amzn.to/38HTRpt Camco 02462/02463 1500W 120V Screw-In Water Heater Element amzn.to/3NvxmCT Camco 5" Residential Screw-In Water Heater Element Wrench amzn.to/3sMK8oE “We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”

[@canwelook]

Simple, clear, concise, focused on what's important, and great camera work. So I could clearly see and understand what you were doing... including with the multimeter and prongs. Thanks

[@RvTipsandTrips]

I am glad yound found my video helpful. Thank you for the feed back.

[@chuckwaychoff7569]

Excellent step-by-step video! Our WH suddenly stopped working in the electric mode, but functioned normally on gas/propane. Found a burnt wire/connector on the low temp thermostat and the 120V was no longer making a connection. Replaced the 90 degree connector for the 120V and went ahead and replaced the thermostat assembly even though both switches tested ok. Made this decision because there was a burnt mark on the low temp thermostat. Thank you for enabling me to make this repair on my own while on a multi-month trip!

[@thomasguthrie5938]

Finally a how to that is worth saving. Thanks a million for making the time and effort.

[@michaelmartinez3944]

Thank You for simple and precise guidance. Wonderful to see someone explain without complicating with too much needless information. Good Job!

[@rlenoxIII]

Thank you the excellent tutorial. Not only explaining what to test, but how the system works is a tremendous help when trying to diagnose and fix the water heater system.

[@rvonthebrink3672]

Great job Syd! I learned a lot from this video, the important part was order the part sooner. I hope you feel better.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Thx! feel like s?#t. Really has me down.

[@rvonthebrink3672]

Sorry! See you in a few days! Get better!

[@tdv1985]

Thank you. I'll be trouble shooting my camper tomorrow, same set up.

[@samhanna9409]

most helpful video about suburban water heater electric diagnosis!! Thank you!

[@curtismcdowell3096]

Have a keystone Springdale Mimi the power to heater will not come on but the water pump indicator comes on any solutions

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Is it a suburban water heater? If so there is a small switch in the lower left on the water heater itself. Switch that to on.

[@brycejohnson5988]

Thanks. You just saved me a lot of money.

[@joemooskie4444]

Best how to video on electric water heater.

[@sparkplug3128]

Question about the wire hook ups does it matter which one plugs where or can they be crossed and still function?

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Not exactly sure of which wires. the thermal switch doesn`t have a polarity so reversing the wires on that component wouldn`t matter as long as you have the two correct wires that go to the switch. Same thing for the heating element as long as the two wires going to the heating element belong to it. these things are not polarity sensitive because it`s A/C current. the switch is wired in series with the heater element and the Temperature overlimit switch. If you don't feel comfortable then perhaps you should let someone else fix it to be safe . safety first please.

[@WrenchWarrior99]

@RvTipsandTrips - Question: When testing Ohms across the electrical heating element, should it be tested with the tank empty or full? I ask because water surrounding the element might change the ohms reading is this correct?

[@RvTipsandTrips]

water surrounding the element should not influence the resistance reading. The heating element does not contact the water because it is encapsulated inside the metal rod. the heating element is a wire coil inside a metal rod.

[@WrenchWarrior99]

@@RvTipsandTrips oh I thought the metal rod was the element. Okay. Thanks for clarifying. Ty for the informative video too. Just replace my Suburban 12 gal unit today. It was 7 years old and the tank started leaking. I replaced the anode 1x/yr and flushed it every time. What’s the life-expectancy of these units do you know?

[@RvTipsandTrips]

I would have thought it would last longer. But there are some variables at work. Water quality does impact it. Also when disinfecting the water system bleach is used. Bleach is very corrosive to steel if used in too high of concentration.

[@byronhibshman750]

I have the same tank as yours. My on/off switch froze up or melted and I need to change it. Do you know how I remove the old switch?

[@RvTipsandTrips]

I think you can pry it out from the front. The switch snaps into the cutout. I havent tried this yet myself havent had one fail yet because I just leave it on all the time and switch on and turn it on and off from the control panel.

[@khonesavanhchandara7044]

Sir. I did check my heat element and thermo switch both of them work fine but how come my electric mode still not working

[@bartwieden]

Another great video THX!

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@josephmulivrana1720]

Big help. Thanks!

[@alexgomez-bi2bk]

Do you know the type of ring/eyelet terminal that goes from the heating element to the thermostat? I don't mean the flag terminal side

[@jamescox857]

Awesome job great explanation thank you for making this video

[@RvTipsandTrips]

I am glad you found my video helpful. Thank you for watching.

[@Carolina_Ken]

I have 120v to the element but still no hot water. thermostat switch ohm well. Any thoughts?

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Did u check for continuity of the heating element?

[@Carolina_Ken]

@@RvTipsandTrips Yes I did. I am completely baffled

[@RvTipsandTrips]

The heating element could still be bad even though it measures continuity. They are pretty cheap. You can get universal elements at like lowes or ace hardware. Just make sure the watts doesn't exceed the original. Thats what I did because my heating element went bad later on.

[@Carolina_Ken]

@@RvTipsandTrips I will stop at Lowe’s after work tomorrow and give it a go. Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it

[@BukWildTrucking]

I found my wires are burned at the thermostat wire. Now I'm not sure if it went out due to bad Therm or a wiring issue.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

The connection may have been loose causing it to arc thus burning the wire. The heating element draws a lot of current so if a connection is loose it will arc. I would replace the thermostat and the connection.

[@jeffwoolyhand9759]

Great video thanks for your help ❤

[@EricXRP]

Thanks, great info and explanation!

[@tonyksnow3222]

Nice job ✅!

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Thank you! 😊

[@xdlyon_lyonxd]

Awesome keep up the good work 👍🏾

[@Blackbull1975]

FYI: Testing ohms on the element should ideally be done with the wires removed to get the most accurate reading.

[@chickensandwich9000]

Awesome video....thanks for sharing

[@Charlies1970TA]

Is it possible that I don't have an On/Off Switch Inside My Cruiser, Fun Finder Trailer or am I just not knowing in the right place? Great Video!

[@RvTipsandTrips]

The suburban water heaters have a switch in the lower left. Sometimes its hidden behind the gas pipe.

[@Charlies1970TA]

@@RvTipsandTrips Right, but I thought you mentioned there may also be another switch inside the RV and wanted to be sure I wasn't missing it!

[@RvTipsandTrips]

The main on/off for the electric hot water should be located on your control panel. Its possible your hot water tank is not electric just propane.

[@canwelook]

We have a switch inside for gas hot water but no equivalent switch inside for electric hot water... just the switch at the bottom left of the tank.

[@murraylaing6763]

You should have removed the wires from the end of the heating element to get an accurate reading, as you checked it with other electrical components like the switch were still in the circuit.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

If there where other circuitry involved what you say would be true. However it is a very simple circuit. The two switches are in series with the element and circuit breakers off. So nothing is in parallel with it to interfer with the resistance reading.

[@joehead1294]

Good idea to disconnect one side when ohming a component. Like your dog, don't let him jump from high places as the back is fragile.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

We have doggie steps that he uses.

[@hhawg1]

Great video.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Thanks

[@jakehoskins3124]

Hope you are Cathy or doing ok. I'm Missing the Open road.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

We are doing good. We just got over covid. That sucked. How are you guys doing?

[@jakehoskins3124]

@@RvTipsandTrips sorry to hear you guys had covid. We are doing good. I got an exercise band and doing some of the exercisers you showed me. glad you are feeling better and hope to catch you this fall.

[@jayzim1293]

Great job

[@josephmurolo5656]

Great information! Thanks very much.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Thanks for watching

[@StevenBurnham]

Thank you

[@onewayt]

a standard socket will fit the heating element

[@CoryMickey]

Good video

[@Beth-pe6es]

Your good sham membership discount comes with a 50% mark up.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

sometimes I have to bite the bullet and us stuff from camping world if I need something in a hurry thats RV specific. if I can wait then I get it from amzon,

[@Beth-pe6es]

@Rv Tips and Trips you have yhe right strategy. I'm having the same issue with my water heater. I replaced the on/off switch, the heater coil and the temp sensor and it's still not heating on the electric side. Sadly I don't how to use an ohms meter. To test my heater coil

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Did you check the switch at the bottom left of the heater? Some models have that second switch.

[@Beth-pe6es]

@Rv Tips and Trips thanks for the tip. I did find a video where the man shows how to test the heating element. I might have had a loose connection on the electric power switch. I don't know what it connects to but it might have been loose. Thanks again!!!

[@ddeltres]

how about a link to that volt meter buddy?

[@RvTipsandTrips]

I've had it a long time. Got it at walmart in the automotive department. Paid like $15. I use it all the time.

[@ddeltres]

@@RvTipsandTrips I priced some at Home depot, son of a biscuit! Expensive. I just ordered one from Walmart for 12usd. Thanks and how's Thomas?

[@t-bone297]

Awesome thanks

[@philborchelt5396]

That's great but my thermostat switch tests fine!! Now what?

[@Lauren-vd4qe]

Mr. handy dandy! if i even LOOK at anything electrical that needs repair my hair instantly goes curly, ha ha!

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Thx. My hair didn't curl lol

[@raakmore4443]

Your the man Sid!! 😎

[@kevinsrvtipsandtrips4361]

Good info

[@briannoseworthy230]

My tank is working on propane but not working on electric

[@dmullinax1000]

I take it you don't like Camping World LOL.

[@RvTipsandTrips]

not my favorite

[@rvonthebrink3672]

It’s a water heater. If you have hot water why would you need to heat it? 😂

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Hahaha

[@stevefitzgerald9193]

it's not a hot water heater!!!!!!!!!! it is just a water heater!!!!!!!

[@RvTipsandTrips]

Lol...So I have told...

[@30820roundbachup]

Your slow and not much training

[@stephenmorris688]

Thank you