Water Heater Woes
I am having a problem with my SW6DE Suburban water heater. It runs fine on electric. Using the electric mode, the water comes up to temperature (hot, but not scalding at the kitchen faucet) as usual...
Forum Discussion
I checked for the odor of gas with the water heater gas switch turned off and the gas supply on. No gas odor was detected at the burner tube. With a tank full of hot water, the voltage to the connector that attaches to terminal 1 of the gas valve read zero. When the water heater gas switch was turned on, the voltage went to 13+ volts and the igniter started firing. Therefore, the t-stat does appear to be malfunctioning – just as you suggested, Old Biscuit. Thanks again for your help.
Makes me wonder what would happen if this situation occurred for a long period of time in an unoccupied RV. The water supply would eventually be exhausted (by boiling out of the pressure relief valve) and the burner would continue firing in a dry tank. I would think things could get pretty hot under those circumstances – to the point of perhaps starting a fire. I know this problem will serve as a reminder to me to always turn off the heat source to the hot water heater when it is not being used.
Makes me wonder what would happen if this situation occurred for a long period of time in an unoccupied RV. The water supply would eventually be exhausted (by boiling out of the pressure relief valve) and the burner would continue firing in a dry tank. I would think things could get pretty hot under those circumstances – to the point of perhaps starting a fire. I know this problem will serve as a reminder to me to always turn off the heat source to the hot water heater when it is not being used.
