How to troubleshoot and repair a suburban water heater?

Water Heater Troubleshooting & Repair (Suburban) This guide is based on the Suburban Water Heater commonly found in most Heartland RVs. Troubleshooting Electric Mode Electric Switches Main 110V Power Switch The main 110V switch is operated just like a light switch and most will illuminate when power flows through the switch.

What’s the difference between Atwood and suburban water heaters?

Atwood water heaters have just a drain plug while the Suburban water heater’s drain plug is actually an anode rod. Because they are steel tanks the anode rod serves to protect the steel tank from rusting. Because Atwood tanks are aluminum, they do not require an anode rod.

How to troubleshoot an element water heater switch?

Element testing and troubleshooting – Donald McAdams – YouTube If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device. Videos you watch may be added to the TV’s watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer. An error occurred.

What to do when your water heater wont turn on?

, open a faucet and check that water flows equally when the faucet is full to Cold and full to Hot settings. CAUTION While you’re checking things, make sure if you have an outside shower that the faucets are turned off. If you leave them open, hot and cold water will mix and you will get lukewarm water from other faucets.

How can I troubleshoot MY Suburban water heater?

The Suburban water heater is a 12 gallon unit that runs on either propane or electric. When conducting your RV water heater troubleshooting steps for this unit you will want to locate the control panel. Look for the DCI lights on the panel and if they are lit you will need to go outside and push the reset buttons on the water heater.

How big is a suburban RV water heater?

However, there are just a few additional steps you will need to complete when troubleshooting. The Suburban water heater is a 12 gallon unit that runs on either propane or electric. When conducting your RV water heater troubleshooting steps for this unit you will want to locate the control panel.

Why is my Atwood water heater not working?

Hard water can create calcium and mineral deposits that sit on the bottom of the tank. This can cause the water heater to fail before its time! The next step is to drain the water heater by removing the drain plug. Atwood water heaters have just a drain plug while the Suburban water heater’s drain plug is actually an anode rod.

Why does my RV water heater not start?

To detect whether it is the air causing the problem, light the stove burners, and consequently switch on the RV water heater. In case, the hot heater starts, you could conclude that air entrance is causing the real issue.

What to do if your electric water heater is not working?

Re-connect the AC power wires to the water heater element. It does not matter which color wire connects to which screw. Do not over-tighten, one quarter turn past hand tight should suffice. Replace cover to seal electric heater element.

Can a gas water heater be removed from an RV?

NOTE: To access the electric water heater element, you will need to remove the gas supply manifold and burner assembly. This component contains very small parts which are easily lost or reinserted incorrectly when disassembled. To avoid this, remove the entire assembly intact.

How to troubleshoot a suburban RV water heater?

Can You troubleshoot a propane RV water heater?

Which is why when RV water heater troubleshooting you will want to follow similar steps as if you were troubleshooting your home’s water heater. However, there are just a few additional steps you will need to complete when troubleshooting. The Suburban water heater is a 12 gallon unit that runs on either propane or electric.

What should I do if my Suburban furnace wont ignite?

Here’s what I’ve tried so far prior to giving up and drinking but that time is getting close lol 1) Turn T stat on and raise temp, so it delays then fan runs, gas valve opens (smell gas outside) but it failed to light after a couple tries then locks out and gas valve closed.

Why does my 110V power switch not light up?

Main 110V Power Switch The main 110V switch is operated just like a light switch and most will illuminate when power flows through the switch. If the light switch normally does light up, but is not lighting up now, there may be a loose connection on the back of the switch, or the 110V circuit breaker may have tripped. Secondary 110V Power Switch

Why is the spark rod on my Suburban furnace not igniting?

It sounds something like the spark rod is a little dirty. The 1/8″ gap is normally not real critical, but try to get the gap as close to it as you can. You can also make sure the ground wire has good connections on both ends.

Can you take a suburban gas valve apart?

By the way, never take a gas valve apart, unless working as part of a demolition team. To test a Suburban gas valve, you are going to have to pull the working parts of the furnace out of its case.

What are the digits on a suburban serial number?

*Please Note* All Suburban Serial Numbers manufactured after January 1990, will be nine digits. The first two (2) digits signify the year of manufacture. The next set of digits, indicate the week of the year and the remaining digits are serial numbers.

How to troubleshoot and fix RV water heater electrical problem?

This Suburban water heater repair manual is very helpful for troubleshooting the electrical power circuit to diagnose potential problems. Follow the steps it contains for tracing power through the system to locate any short or break that may be causing the element to not heat up. NOTE: Do not “dry fire” the electric water heater element.

What to do when your water heater is not heating?

If both power switches are ON, but the electric element is not heating the water, press both reset buttons on the back of the water heater. If pressing the reset buttons restores operation, it’s an indicator that the thermostat may have failed to cut power to the heating element.

How do you turn on a 110V water heater?

The secondary 110V switch is a rocker-type that can be pinned in the OFF position with a small cotter pin. On a new trailer, to turn it on the first time, you have to remove the cotter pin and rock the switch to the ON position. You can leave the switch ON permanently.

What are the parts of a suburban sw12del?

SUBURBAN WATER HEATER SW12DEL EXPLODED PARTS VIEW LINKS. Item#1 Module Board. Item#3 Module Board Cover. Item#8 D.C. Junction Box Assembly 090517. Item#10 Back Flue Collector Assembly. Item#11 Front Flue Collector Assembly. Item#12 Pressure Relief Valve. Item#15 Thermostat / Hi-Limit Cover. Item#16 Cover Gasket.

Which is the secondary side of the relay?

Terminals 87 and 30 are the secondary side of the relay which acts as the “switch” that connects electrical current from one terminal to the other.

What do you need to know about control relays?

As far as my understanding of them goes, a relay is a sort of switch allowing low powered circuitry to toggle higher powered devices such as motors and provide an isolation between the two. I am still a student so I’m learning as I go making this a learning experience for me as well as anyone else that may wish to tackle this project!

What are terminals 86 and 85 in a relay?

Relay Terminal Identification Terminals 86 and 85 are the primary side of the relay, which utilizes an electromagnet to close (connect) the secondary electrical circuit inside the relay. This electromagnet is activated by a simple power (+) and ground (-) much like a light bulb circuit.

What kind of electrical system does an RV have?

The DC (direct current) system (12 volts), which runs the lights, switches, slides, and thermostats. In addition, refrigerators and some appliances run on propane fuel.

What should I know about my suburban water heater?

Water Heater Troubleshooting & Repair (Suburban) This guide is intended to assist Heartland Owners in troubleshooting and repairing common failures of the Suburban Water Heater. This document doesn’t specifically cover the Atwood design.

What causes electrical current to stop flowing in RV?

And these vibrations will, at times, shake electrical connections loose, in addition to the wear and tear that wires and appliances go through in normal use. If a wire has its insulation rubbed off, or something inside an appliance shakes loose or burns out, then current can stop flowing in your 12-volt or 115-volt system.

How to troubleshoot and repair RV electrical problems?

Troubleshooting often begins, and may well end, with resetting a breaker, replacing a fuse, or resetting a Ground Fault Indicator, and then seeing what happens. Older RVs tend to have fuses; newer ones, breakers. The fuses and breakers were placed in the system for two major reasons:

How to troubleshoot and repair a suburban water heater?