SUBURBAN ELECTRIC/GAS WATER HEATER QUIT

Question

The electric side of the suburban Water heater in our 2006 3400 RL has quit working. I have flipped the rocker switch a couple of times to see if it was intermittent. That didn't help. Tried to reset the thermostat button but I don't feel that anything is happening. I don't feel anything move under the little rubber cover. What should it feel like when I hit the reset button? I am pretty sure the left reset button is for electric but neither button seems to move. Al I can't feel it move. It is possible that the element has failed open but I'd like to try the reset button before I pull the element. Not sure I know how to get to the element either. The gas side works fine so this isn't an emergency but would like to get it fixed. Anyone with some suggestions and how the reset button is supposed to feel?

donn0128 · Answer

Could be a number of things.  Breaker tripped?  Bad control board or bad heating element.  Number one and three can be easily checked, number 2 is something you cannot test yourself.  But if you have 120VAC to and from the control board it is probably OK.  Check the heating element with the power off and disconnected and see how much resistance, OHMS it has.

scottg · Answer

If you feel it's the circuit board you can take it to most RV parts stores and they have a tester for them (and will do so at no charge from experience).

bb_tx · Answer

Here is an on-line manual with troubleshooting instructions. See page 9.
Oddly enough though, it does not mention the thermostat as a failure item although people have reported having to replace the thermostat.
Note that there is a thermostat for the electric and separate one for the gas.
Not sure what control/circuit board is being referred to.

filthy_beast · Answer

According to the manual that was linked to, the electric side is not controlled by the board. It has a thermostat, limit and power switch.

old-biscuit · Answer

filthy beast wrote:According to the manual that was linked to, the electric side is not controlled by the board. It has a thermostat, limit and power switch.Correct.....110V AC power comes from breaker to junction box on side of tank to ON/OFF switch to t-stats to element.The 'reset' is for the ECO (High limit t-stat)The left one is for 110V AC electric (right one for 12V DC---propane)Both heat sources have 2 t-stats (High and normal)IF the high operates (opens) it can be reset by pushing the button. You will feel a tab push in if it has tripped. Don't feel anything when you push...it hasn't tripped.Problem sounds like bad element.It is located behind/under gas valve/burner tube.Here is a write up with pictures/troubleshooting.........LINKDecent writeup BUT they have the identities of T-stats backwards on pg. 7

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SUBURBAN ELECTRIC/GAS WATER HEATER QUIT

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