Water heater help

Could it be a weak/short in the circuit or possible weak heating element? Those would probably be my first 2 items to check.

Electric element is under cover below/behind gas valve.
Check for loose wiring on terminals....black & white
Elements either work or don't work unless wiring/connections are loose


Suburban water heater has SEPARATE sets of t-stats for electric and propane.
Each set controls their own heating cycles

Electric uses a 120V AC set......normal/130*F (controlling t-stat) & high/170*F (backup/shuts down heating----needs to be manually reset)

Propane uses a 12V DC set......Same set up as electric

They are under the rubber cover above gas valve with 'Push to Reset'
So that the hi t-stat can be reset if it trips

Left side/electric
Right side/propane

If the electric hi t-stat was tripping YOU would have to manually reset it before electric would work again

Sounds more like normal has loose connections or not being held tight against tank wall
Open the 120V AC circuit breaker for WH electric element (or on/off switch OFF----but I don't trust them)
remove rubber cover and check wire terminal/spade connectors and if t-stat mounting is tight

Or buy new set and just replace it


NOW if you have a DEL model then electric uses a 12V DC relay to trigger electric element so that is another item to check on electric heating side.....ONLY ON DEL model

I would replace the electric thermostat.

The model number of the water heater is SW12DEL.

boshog wrote:
The model number of the water heater is SW12DEL.

You have the odd man out model for Suburban

Electric on/off switch on panel inside rv is a 12V DC switch that goes to a DC Relay that 'triggers' the 120V AC the OEM on/off switch in outside compartment then to the set of t-stats then to element.

So could be loose connections on:
DC Relay
Outside On/Off switch
Set of t-stats
Electric element

Wow, you know your stuff. Thanks. I'll be getting into this weekend if the weather holds (SE Michigan) and I'll post up what I find.

boshog wrote:
Wow, you know your stuff. Thanks. I'll be getting into this weekend if the weather holds (SE Michigan) and I'll post up what I find.

I know about Atwood Models....pre 2003 and post 2003
I know about Suburban standard models

The DEL Model....just learned about it last month thanks from an RV.NET member who posts on here as 'ktmrfs'
I had only come across the DEL model ('L' being the odd identifier) on a few occasions but never had to troubleshoot one

So when 'ktmrfs' brought it to my attention I had to investigate and learn about them.

Thanks 'ktmrfs'!!

Ah- never mind- I figured it out- do'hh.

I know that this may sound oddball; but, it's helped others.

Check the outside shower head and make sure it is not in the "closed" position with the faucet left in the "on" position. It may be diverting enough hot water to effect your shower inside.

Tom1949 wrote:
I know that this may sound oddball; but, it's helped others.

Check the outside shower head and make sure it is not in the "closed" position with the faucet left in the "on" position. It may be diverting enough hot water to effect your shower inside.

OP gets hot from electric 1st heat cycle then NO more heating and gets hot from propane with repeated heating cycles.

Issue is with electric side of WH.


Shower ----luke warm regardless of heating method