Hot water heater not staying lit

[Smittythebear]

I have a Suburban SWD10DE water heater. I have to push the reset button in order for the ignitor to light. The flame stays lit just a few minutes - enough to trick me into thinking I have hot water. The inside light for the pilot out does not light up when the flame goes out. What could I net trouble-shoot to get hot water back? The rig is a 2004 Gulfstream Friendship G7. The electric does not work and I have not researched this - I cannot even get the switch on the unit to push to the off position.

We are fulltimers and hate to have to walk to the showers, as well as having to heat up water for dishes, etc.

Thanks in advance.

[pondigger]

had same trouble with mine....took a little emery paper and sanded the thermo couple.....a little sanding....works great....let us know what worked....

[Executive45]

First things first...using a meter, ensure you have 12V to the switch. Even on propane, you need a solid 12V to light it. Second, ensure you have 120V to the electric side. It won't work if you don't. If you have good electrical flow, then start troubleshooting the other stuff. Start with the easy stuff first.....Dennis

[Old-Biscuit]

Having to push reset means that the ECO (high temp t-stat) has opened.....either normal t-stat has failed or is not tight against tank wall.

Buy a new 12V DC t-stat set (Normal/ECO) and replace.
Also clean spark electrode with emery cloth, make sure the electrode is engulfed in main flame and that you have 1/8" gap between electrode tip and ground rod, clean out burner tube/burner orifice and make sure all ground wires/contacts are clean & tight.

As for the electric....it has it's own 110V AC T-stat set (Normal/ECO)

The ON/Off switch sounds like it is broken (can not push to OFF position) so you need to replace that switch. And with it suck in ON position electric element may have burnt up. So you will need to check that AC breaker for electric element is ON, 110V power goes to/thru new switch and that you have 110V AC power to/thru t-stats and to/thru electric element

[workhardplayha1]

Why are you trying to heat hot water?