I had the electric element, flushed and as anode replaced in my suburban wh, but it still doesn't get very hot (why I thought the element was bad) . Gas operation is fine.Am I silly to expect it to be hot enough for a shower while in electric mode? Seems like it got way hotter before. Anything I can do?

did you change the thermastat as well?

Suburban electric and propane use the same temp t-stats.Separate sets of t-stats BUT same temp rangeNormal temp t-stat (one that controls heating cycles) 130*FHigh temp t-stat (shuts down heating if normal fails) 180*FElectric and propane use completely different controls/powerElectric uses 120V AC from a circuit breaker to the ON/OFF switch to the Hi temp/Normal temp t-stats to the elementElements either get HOT or they don't work---no in between warmON/OFF switch (in outside compartment) fail due to exposure to environmentHi Temp trips....has to be MANUALLY reset (push to rest cover above gas valve---left side electric/right side propane)Voltmeter...With 120V AC CB closed...turn switch ON and then check that you have 120V AC at the element connectionsWith 120V AC CB opened....test element continuity across the black/white terminals. S/B continuity (No continuity---element BAD)Test white terminal to element flange. S/B no continuity (Continuity...element shorted)Here is the Propane 12V DC wiring

OP'er, it would help greatly if you would state what type of HW heater you have. My Atwood will burn you on the electric if your not careful.

Are your outside shower knobs on with the head turned off? Hot and cold mix there resulting in lukewarm shower.

If you are in a campground where the incoming water is much colder than usual, the electric only, may not keep up as well as the gas function of the heater. However, the electric should still start out hot, if electric side thermostat is working correctly.Jerry

Electric water heater not very hot | Good Sam Community

BlueJean
Explorer
Nov 02, 2017
I'll check it soon, sounds like what's happening.
Rained last night and bedroom slide bottom seal is folded in, letting water collect and find a way in.
One thing at a time lately.
Carl_n_Susan
Nomad II
Nov 02, 2017
You seem to have a 2013 Cougar. That was the time when Suburban outsorced the thermostat manufacturing to China. The first year or two of production had problems (wouldn't get full heat after a while). They were replacing them for free at the time. Probably not now, but they aren't that expensive. You can tell if you have one of the "bad" batch by removing the cover over the thermostats and if the Reset button has a red extension, you have a bad one.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Nov 01, 2017
MFL wrote:
BlueJean wrote:
I haven't checked the outside shower valves. Interesting stuff. I'll do it when I get back to camp.

In OP, you said water heater works fine on propane. If this is true, then it cannot be the outside shower valves, as you'd be getting a luke warm shower on propane also.

If the water heater on electric, does not get hot prior to taking shower, or washing dishes, then problem is likely electric side thermostat.

Jerry

YEP^^^^

Use a voltmeter to check where 120V AC stops to ID problem
IE: Circuit breaker, ON/OFF Switch, T-stats, element
MFL
Nomad II
Oct 31, 2017
BlueJean wrote:
I haven't checked the outside shower valves. Interesting stuff. I'll do it when I get back to camp.

In OP, you said water heater works fine on propane. If this is true, then it cannot be the outside shower valves, as you'd be getting a luke warm shower on propane also.

If the water heater on electric, does not get hot prior to taking shower, or washing dishes, then problem is likely electric side thermostat.

Jerry
BlueJean
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
I haven't checked the outside shower valves. Interesting stuff. I'll do it when I get back to camp.
Likes_to_tow
Nomad
Oct 31, 2017
Went through this same drill a few years ago with luke warm water coming out of tank. Ended up being the outside hose had both hot and cold water valves turned on and it allows mixing of the hot water with cold inside the RV !! The hand wand valve was closed so I had no idea these two valves were left open......probably when I winterized.
CabinetmakerII
Explorer
Oct 30, 2017
steveksfc wrote:
I'd put money on the thermostat being bad. Just seen a video on same issue another had and they replaced the thermostat, easy job it seems to do, and they had hot water back. They had even replaced the element thinking that was bad even though they couldn't prove it by testing.

X2
shastagary
Explorer
Oct 30, 2017
replaced the element on mine because it would only get warm turned out to be the switch outside for it was bad must have been arcing internally replaced it and now it works great.
steveksfc
Explorer
Oct 30, 2017
I'd put money on the thermostat being bad. Just seen a video on same issue another had and they replaced the thermostat, easy job it seems to do, and they had hot water back. They had even replaced the element thinking that was bad even though they couldn't prove it by testing.
BlueJean
Explorer
Oct 30, 2017
Didn't replace thermostat. Just the element and anode.
The reset didn't seem to be popped but I will check it.