Nice video Jerry. This is also the second video I have seen with the exact same cause of failure. Seems that Suburban needs to take the extra time to bend that lip over and create a smooth surface. Thanks for the video.
Thanks Dan. Agree. Simple fix, but unfortunately we spend a bunch of money for our RVs and the manufacturers and suppliers cheap out or limit quality control.
Thanks Jerry, I just had to replace my on/off switch on my water heater it just locked up. They sure don’t give you a lot of extra wire to work with do they. Now I know what’s behind that panel and what to look for if needed.
This just happened to me in July, propane OK and electric no good. Got home and started the diagnosis and it drove me crazy. Control board, thermal switches, and heater element all tested good. I backed tracked to the circuit breaker panel and the breaker was fine. I noticed that the wire from the breaker had a white sheath, but the wire into water was black, strange. So I pulled a panel off under the sink where the water heater was and there it was. There was an outlet under there and the plug going to the heater had worked itself out, I assume from the trailer movement while traveling. It was a duh moment, ha ha.
That’s the challenge with an RV. Wiring diagrams don’t exist and if they did, doubt they would be followed consistently. Interesting the water heater was plugged vs hardwire. It’s one of those “who would have thought?” repairs. Thanks for sharing.
My brand new heartland had loose heater element wire from the factory. The day we brought it home and a test camp in the yard, started seeing smoke from the element housing.
Correct me if I’m mistaken, I believe you could have used the propane side of the water heater and you would have hot water again. Obviously you want to fix it though. I only have the propane option on my 6 gallon Dometic. Great video. Thanks.
Hi William and thanks. You’re correct. We were able to have hot water using propane, but wanted the 110V AC side working when connected to 50A campground power.
Great video. I have the same model camper you have and decided to check my wiring to be sure it was ok and to my surprise the same wire had a small wear mark, which would have eventually cut through the insulation on the wire. In my case this is clearly being caused by the sharp edge you mentioned in your video. I was able to bend the sharp edge down and applied some heat shrink to add additional protection. I also noticed the 2 red wires coming off the 12 volt side was also showing wear marks being caused by a sharp edge at the top of the housing. I was not able to bend that edge down because of the tight location. I need to figure out a way to protect those wires or the sharp edge will eventually wear through them.
Thanks for showing how you can DYI some of the issues we can have. I had a spider web inside the gas tube. You Tube and a few minutes dismantling fixed it. Now I have a bug screen on the hot water heater door. Amazon is our friend. 🙂
Was watching some rv park tours. I was wondering have been to the new Resort Talona Ridge in Ellijay yet if what did you think, I'm booked for Christmas week 2023. not many videos on the resort a few.
Nice video Jerry. This is also the second video I have seen with the exact same cause of failure. Seems that Suburban needs to take the extra time to bend that lip over and create a smooth surface. Thanks for the video.
Thanks Dan. Agree. Simple fix, but unfortunately we spend a bunch of money for our RVs and the manufacturers and suppliers cheap out or limit quality control.
Thanks Jerry, I just had to replace my on/off switch on my water heater it just locked up. They sure don’t give you a lot of extra wire to work with do they. Now I know what’s behind that panel and what to look for if needed.
It’s touch and go on some of these repairs. Wait till you look at the wiring behind the panel in the main garage!
Good video. I may have to watch your video on using the volt meter. ;)
Thanks Rick
This just happened to me in July, propane OK and electric no good. Got home and started the diagnosis and it drove me crazy. Control board, thermal switches, and heater element all tested good. I backed tracked to the circuit breaker panel and the breaker was fine. I noticed that the wire from the breaker had a white sheath, but the wire into water was black, strange. So I pulled a panel off under the sink where the water heater was and there it was. There was an outlet under there and the plug going to the heater had worked itself out, I assume from the trailer movement while traveling. It was a duh moment, ha ha.
That’s the challenge with an RV. Wiring diagrams don’t exist and if they did, doubt they would be followed consistently. Interesting the water heater was plugged vs hardwire. It’s one of those “who would have thought?” repairs. Thanks for sharing.
Good job
Thanks
My brand new heartland had loose heater element wire from the factory. The day we brought it home and a test camp in the yard, started seeing smoke from the element housing.
I think I may have run into the same problem and it cooked my switch in the process.
Correct me if I’m mistaken, I believe you could have used the propane side of the water heater and you would have hot water again. Obviously you want to fix it though. I only have the propane option on my 6 gallon Dometic. Great video. Thanks.
Hi William and thanks. You’re correct. We were able to have hot water using propane, but wanted the 110V AC side working when connected to 50A campground power.
Great video. I have the same model camper you have and decided to check my wiring to be sure it was ok and to my surprise the same wire had a small wear mark, which would have eventually cut through the insulation on the wire. In my case this is clearly being caused by the sharp edge you mentioned in your video. I was able to bend the sharp edge down and applied some heat shrink to add additional protection. I also noticed the 2 red wires coming off the 12 volt side was also showing wear marks being caused by a sharp edge at the top of the housing. I was not able to bend that edge down because of the tight location. I need to figure out a way to protect those wires or the sharp edge will eventually wear through them.
Glad to hear that is a good catch. Wonder how many others are having this issue?
Thanks for showing how you can DYI some of the issues we can have. I had a spider web inside the gas tube. You Tube and a few minutes dismantling fixed it. Now I have a bug screen on the hot water heater door. Amazon is our friend. 🙂
Good move. Those critters can be a sneaky problem.
I knew there was a reason I liked you. Fellow lefty!
We’re that special 10% 😏
Was watching some rv park tours. I was wondering have been to the new Resort Talona Ridge in Ellijay yet if what did you think, I'm booked for Christmas week 2023. not many videos on the resort a few.
It looks to be a great place. Just guessing, but a bit pricey and others in the area more affordable.
👍
Thanks for watching.
Very informative as always.
Thanks
Now we all know who to call when our RV breaks. 😄😄😄
Thanks for the vote of confidence!