Forum Discussion

_1Flyboy's avatar
_1Flyboy
Explorer
Feb 01, 2023

No 110 Volts to Hot Water Heater Element

….. Good morning all… Suburban SW6DEL not getting 110 Volts to the heater element. Rocker switch on control panel is sending out 12 Volts when turned on. Is there a relay switch somewhere between the rocker switch and the element? Suggestions appreciated…..TIA
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Feb 01, 2023
    Intermittent suggests a short somewhere. Probably harder to find. But easier if it’s not working.
  • _1Flyboy's avatar
    _1Flyboy
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2023
    Make & model are in my original post; outside lower left 2nd switch is on. Maybe 2nd switch is bad???
  • Retired_JSO's avatar
    Retired_JSO
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2023
    Look for an additional 120 volt switch on the water heater itself, suburban located on lower left looking in with outside panel removed. It’s hard to see because of its location behind gas valve.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Feb 01, 2023
    Past reported problems:
    - tripped breaker
    - bad or tripped thermostat/hi temp cutout
    - little black switch on bottom left corner of WH off or bad
    - bad relay (located in junction box on WH)
    - loose/bad/burned wire connection in any of those areas.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Feb 01, 2023
    Some have two switches. one outside and one inside.
    Make and model of water heater would help!
  • _1Flyboy's avatar
    _1Flyboy
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2023
    … tested with volt meter….Circuit breaker is ok… worked for a while yesterday…
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Feb 01, 2023
    Have you physically checked that you're not getting 120V at the heater element, or assuming so because the element doesn't heat up?

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