Forum Discussion

Explorer

Dec 21, 2015

Suburban SW10 DE water heater doesn't!

I just can’t figure this out. Our Suburban SW10 DE water heater doesn’t heat. It was functioning normally before it failed. It works well on the LP side but not with electric. I have checked and replaced a number of things.

The breaker works. The inside electric switch works. The on/off rocker switch on the heater panel works. The thermal switch has not been tripped.

I replaced the heater element with a Suburban part thinking that was the culprit. A volt-ohm meter reads that there is power going to the heater element when both switches are turned on.

Yet it does not heat the water. Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

Many thanks!
Ian

Seeking Advice

14 Replies

Ranger_Smith
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
You need to set the volt meter to AC and put meter leads on the 2 element leads itself. you should have 120 vac there. If you do then the element is bad.
ian_c
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
There's water in the heater (LP works fine) and so it's not in bypass mode. I "think" I checked voltage across both sides of the element but here we're reaching the limits of my understanding. (Switches, open and closed, I understand.)
donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 21, 2015
If you have 120VAC then the element should be working. Did you check voltage across both sides of the element?
Rebuilt mine this fall. Bypassed the rocker switch, replaced the temp sensor pack and the element. Works great again.
Ranger_Smith
Explorer
Dec 21, 2015
Stupid question but is there water in the heater and it is not in bypass mode. Also is outside shower off