Well let me set the stage. On our last camping trip out last month I noticed when I went to flip the power button to the off position - on the hot water heater - it didn't snap into place like it normally does. I didn't think a whole lot about it. So this past weekend we were camping and I flipped the power button on ( still didn't snap into place ) but it did heat up and work fine for 2 days. Then on Saturday morning we had no hot water. So I switch over to propane and it worked fine. My question is - could my power switch have gone bad ? How would I check to see ? And if that is the case - can the switch be replaced without removing the hot water heater. I have a Suburban model SW12DE - 12 gallon heater. Thanks

Put some WD40 in the switch on your cold water heater.

Easy fix, just replace the switch. A little plastic tab inside the switch that keeps it on/off is broken. Switch is an easy find at your local Camping World.

I think that saying "Hot Water Heater" is a bit of a joke on the forum. It is really a Water Heater. If you had hot water, you wouldn't need a heater for it. I used to say this too, but now every time I see it, I laugh. Good luck with the switch.

1rickw wrote:I think that saying "Hot Water Heater" is a bit of a joke on the forum. It is really a Water Heater. If you had hot water, you wouldn't need a heater for it. I used to say this too, but now every time I see it, I laugh. Good luck with the switch.I kinda figure if the hot water aint hot enough it becomes a hot water heater :) :)

2oldman wrote:Put some WD40 in the switch on your cold water heater.Indeed. If the water is hot, there is no reason to heat it. :B

Help with hot water heater | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2013
Me, I would get the switch as the old biscuit suggested and take a peek on how it latches in.

Then I would get kinda physical on getting the old one out and see what happens.
Dick_B
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
I replaced mine but had to pull the Water Heater out to do it because it was located under the kitchen sink and almost impossible to get at. Maybe you will have better luck.
While it was out I found some burned wiring that I had to replace. I also changed the heater element.
The switch was not so easy to remove. My switch pushed into position until some tabs on the side locked into place. The hard part was getting the old one out!
bob213
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
So does the tab to release the switch have to be depressed from the back or the front?
naturist
Nomad II
Dec 01, 2013
As a direct answer to the OP's question, yes indeed, your switch can go bad. The way you can tell is with this simple decision tree -- Is the switch a physical object? If yes, then it can indeed go bad. If no, then I posit that it doesn't exist.

From the symptoms you describe, I'd say there is not doubt the switch is bad. The fix is cheap and easy; all you have to do is replace the switch with a new one, easy as pie. (but do remember to turn the power to that circuit off before attempting it.)
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Dec 01, 2013
DUNEBUGGYDOUG wrote:
Powderman426, what if you want you hot water hotter, then you have to heat it .Some of you guys ry to be sharper than you really are

Wouldn't that be a 'hotter' water heater?

OP...
turn the AC breaker off for your water heater electric element
then pop the ON/OFF switch out
replace with a new switch..120V AC (Suburban part number 232362)
DUNEBUGGYDOUG
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
Powderman426, what if you want you hot water hotter, then you have to heat it .Some of you guys ry to be sharper than you really are
powderman426
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
2oldman wrote:
Put some WD40 in the switch on your cold water heater.

Indeed. If the water is hot, there is no reason to heat it. :B
You_can_t_take_
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
1rickw wrote:
I think that saying "Hot Water Heater" is a bit of a joke on the forum. It is really a Water Heater. If you had hot water, you wouldn't need a heater for it. I used to say this too, but now every time I see it, I laugh. Good luck with the switch.
I kinda figure if the hot water aint hot enough it becomes a hot water heater :) :)
1rickw
Explorer II
Dec 01, 2013
I think that saying "Hot Water Heater" is a bit of a joke on the forum. It is really a Water Heater. If you had hot water, you wouldn't need a heater for it. I used to say this too, but now every time I see it, I laugh. Good luck with the switch.
OpenRangePullen
Explorer
Dec 01, 2013
Easy fix, just replace the switch. A little plastic tab inside the switch that keeps it on/off is broken. Switch is an easy find at your local Camping World.