Forum Discussion

MetalGator's avatar
MetalGator
Nomad
Mar 03, 2015

Hot water no longer works on electric

The water heater in my TT runs on both electric and propane. I usually always turn it on (electric) when we get setup so we always have hot water. One trip I noticed that the water was only warm (when hours before was hot). I went outside and opened the panel and noticed the "reset" button had popped out. I reset it and the hot water heater came back on. Sometimes it would run for over 24 hours, other times for only a hour or two. I started just using the propane mode when we needed hot water. On our last trip, I tried using the electric and now it won't work at all. Works fine on propane. Anyone have any idea what the problem could be?
Seeking Advice
  • Monster9903's avatar
    Monster9903
    Explorer
    Mar 03, 2015
    Looks like high temp safety is bad. Easy repair and not too expensive. Just swap it out and you'll be ok. This is also a good time to check the anode Godin the tank the erode away and Need to be replaced periodically.
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Mar 03, 2015
    It doesn't hurt them to run both heat sources at the same time. They are unrelated and have no effect on each other.
    I would check the resistance of the element. If it's open then it's shot.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer II
    Mar 03, 2015
    My water heater is an Atwood, but I always have both gas and electric on at the same time while we are showering.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Mar 03, 2015
    I have almost always run mine on both gas and electric at the same time for 7 years and no problem doing it. Those devices do fail.
  • MetalGator's avatar
    MetalGator
    Nomad
    Mar 03, 2015
    BB_TX wrote:
    My first guess would be the high temp cutout has failed, especially since you have already had to reset it several times. Surburban? Easily replaced.


    Yes, I believe it is a Surburban. I know exactly when it started happening. One trip I forgot to turn on the water heater. Wife went to take a shower and there was no hot water. The owners manual said you could turn on the electric and the propane at the same time to get the water heater up to temp quicker. That's what I did and that's when the electric started acting up.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Mar 03, 2015
    My first guess would be the high temp cutout has failed, especially since you have already had to reset it several times. Suburban? Easily replaced.

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