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mike-uswest's avatar
mike-uswest
Explorer III
Dec 29, 2014

Hot Water Heater?????

I have a Suburban water heater in my fifth wheel. We normally run it on propane, but when we stay in a park we use the electric element. It has always worked fine, but we set up at a park yesterday, turned the water heater to electric, and the water was just luke warm after 6 hours. This AM the water is hot. Does this mean that the element is going out, or is there other problems going on? Can the element be replaced, or is the whole thing shot? Thanks.

Mike

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  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Dec 29, 2014
    As a rule, elements either work or not and don't get weak or intermittent.
    I suspect you have something else going on like a failing thermostat or loose wire somewhere. I would take a very close look at all the connections including the one at the breaker panel (you'll have to remove the breaker panel cover) and make sure they are all tight and show no signs of getting hot.

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