Hi guys! First post. I recently purchased a TT for quick weekend getaways with the family. We took our first trip this past weekend and all went well. We did have one issue, and that issue was lack of hot water. I hooked up to my water supply and turned the hot water on inside to work the air out. Once the air was out, I flipped the water heater switch inside and waited an hour. I never had hot water. During our set up I noticed that the plugs weren't working so I reset the GFI in the RR and all was good. As I was packing up the next day I realized there are (2) resets for the water heater on the outside of the trailer. I had already unhooked from power and water so I didn't hit the reset to see if that would make a difference. Your thoughts? Also I never turned my propane on, but it is my understanding the water heater can run off of shore power without the need of propane, is that correct? Again, sorry for the rookie questions, just thought you may be able to shed some light based on past experience etc.Thanks in advance!!!

Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.Jerry

MFL wrote:Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.JerrySorry, it is a 2019 Forest River FSX 179. I do have a rocker switch for the water heater, but it is located in the trailer with the rest of the switches. Yes, I made sure I had water in the lines prior to turning it on. Thanks for the reply.

modrodr wrote:MFL wrote:Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.JerrySorry, it is a 2019 Forest River FSX 179. I do have a rocker switch for the water heater, but it is located in the trailer with the rest of the switches. Yes, I made sure I had water in the lines prior to turning it on. Thanks for the reply.Like MFL said, open your water heater outside cover and on the lower left hand side will be a rocker switch. If you have the two "Reset buttons" it will also have a small switch in the location I mentioned. Mine is partially covered by a piece of tape. It is behind some of the gas stuff, but it is there. I bet it is off.Edited to add: It will be in the location WE mentioned. ;)He also gave good advice about shutting it off when draining the heater. I do that as well, to prevent it from being accidentally turned on when empty.

In some cases there is a switch inside, and out, and the outside one still needs to be switched on to work, for electric, but not propane.Jerry

Great info guys! I will check when I get home from work. Thanks to all who posted!

Water Heater | Good Sam Community

Boomerweps
Explorer
Apr 10, 2019
wnjj wrote:
In our camper the inside switch is only for propane operation. If you turn it and the one on the water heater on (with the propane system on) you’ll get double heating.

Mine operates the same. The inside water heater switch turns on the gas system. If it is quiet and the gas is on, you'll hear the water heater fire up. The switch on the exterior heater face energizes the heater electrode. Make it part of your teardown routine to turn off the water heater. The electrode will overheat, melt, and short out if energized with no water in the heater!
downtheroad
Explorer
Apr 10, 2019
Good advice above already...but I'm visual...
Look for this switch: Let us know if you have solved the problem.
kaydeejay
Explorer
Apr 10, 2019
To the OP, welcome to the Forum.
If this was first time out, was your trailer winterized? Is there any chance the bypass system was engaged such that NO water was in the water heater?
If that was the case you may have a problem.
Double check that there is water in the heater by lifting the pressure relief valve at the top of the tank outside. You can do this when hooked up to the water supply or with your onboard pump operating.
If water comes out, then you are OK and it is a question of what was switched on (or not).
If you have no water then there is a very good chance you have blown the element I'm afraid.
Double check and come back to us.
enblethen
Nomad
Apr 10, 2019
Make and model of water heater? Should have label on frame of the exterior access.
Did the light for the water stay on? It is possible that there is air in propane line that needs to be purged out. It may take three or four times for the air to purge. You must turn switch off then after 10-15 seconds turn it back on to cycle circuit board.
wnjj
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2019
In our camper the inside switch is only for propane operation. If you turn it and the one on the water heater on (with the propane system on) you’ll get double heating.
modrodr
Explorer
Apr 10, 2019
Great info guys! I will check when I get home from work. Thanks to all who posted!
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 10, 2019
In some cases there is a switch inside, and out, and the outside one still needs to be switched on to work, for electric, but not propane.

Jerry
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Apr 10, 2019
modrodr wrote:
MFL wrote:
Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.

Jerry

Sorry, it is a 2019 Forest River FSX 179. I do have a rocker switch for the water heater, but it is located in the trailer with the rest of the switches. Yes, I made sure I had water in the lines prior to turning it on. Thanks for the reply.

Like MFL said, open your water heater outside cover and on the lower left hand side will be a rocker switch. If you have the two "Reset buttons" it will also have a small switch in the location I mentioned. Mine is partially covered by a piece of tape. It is behind some of the gas stuff, but it is there. I bet it is off.

Edited to add: It will be in the location WE mentioned. ;)
He also gave good advice about shutting it off when draining the heater. I do that as well, to prevent it from being accidentally turned on when empty.
modrodr
Explorer
Apr 10, 2019
MFL wrote:
Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.

Jerry

Sorry, it is a 2019 Forest River FSX 179. I do have a rocker switch for the water heater, but it is located in the trailer with the rest of the switches. Yes, I made sure I had water in the lines prior to turning it on. Thanks for the reply.
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 10, 2019
Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.

Jerry

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