Suburban water heater

[surf_bum]

Hi all

My water heater has been acting up lately working intermittently. It’s a suburban VDSI 6. When I flip the switch, the red light comes on and never goes off. I hear no clicking or see any visible action-taking place. I have current 11.34 Volts going to the temp sensor and going to the high heat reset. However I do not see current on the brown wirer going the gas valve or for that matter any current on the electrical connections on the outside of the heater. However, if I leave the switch on at random times like 6 hours latter it will all of a sudden turn on and heat like it should raising the water temperature up to the proper spec. But then not work again until 12 hours later. Any thoughts?

[surf_bum]

I thought power might be an issue I was drawing current with a tv and lights playing with the different voltages testing if that was the issue. The manual says it should operate in between 11 and 13 volts. But it does not seem to be the problem.

[skipnchar]

11/3/4 volts is very nearly a dead battery. Don't know about water heaters but most refrigerators will now work if voltage is much less than 11 volts because the thermostat can't properly operate. I'd check your converter and/or your battery to find out why dc voltage is so low.
Good luck / Skip

[Chris_Bryant]

11.34 is at the bottom end of allowable voltage- 12 or over is much better. I would also check the plug on the circuit board and clean if needed.