Cholla_Bob
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Joined Aug 05, 2011
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Re: Suburban Water Heater Thermostat Replacement
Thanks for all the help! Yes, the biggest problem out here is if the incoming water line to the hot water heater freezes up and the hot water gets drained through use: without any incoming water to heat, that electric coil will burn up real quick. Changing a coil in the middle of a storm is no fun. Good to hear a no-reset situation is good news. Appreciate all your advise.1.3KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Suburban Water Heater Thermostat Replacement
I drove the 60 miles and bought the Suburban 232306 thermostat. Realized the small thermostat niche had a screw in the center and that I would have to engineer to make the Rheems, Camco, or Everbilt thermostat fit. dougrainer's comment above captures the problem. As it was starting to storm here; I went with the Suburban. These other hardware store thermostats have a 170 degree limit, not 150 as I had been previously told. Also a reset and variable temp control for under ten bucks. All the single element electric hot water tanks are 120V wired to a thermostat to an electric coil with a pressure valve; basically all the same; however, the Suburban thermostat was the easiest to install, so I went with it. Thanks for all the help on this one: I have hot water again just before it started snowing. Old-Biscuit got the problem: the coil side hot out of the thermostat burned up because the thermostat compartment insulation got wet and shorted with the tank. Important to tighten the cover screws good and I am now sealing with silicone. PS: For ten years, the Suburban reset button has never worked once. Hope everyone else has had better luck with that.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Suburban Water Heater Thermostat Replacement
I may currently have the Suburban # 232317 as Old-Biscuit listed, as the last thermostat I replaced was rated for 140 degrees. The #520788 is the most expensive and gets online ratings differing from 120 to 150 degrees: I don't think its a variable, but it may be!1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Suburban Water Heater Thermostat Replacement
I called Rheem tech and their Rheem Protech Marathon thermostat will directly replace the Suburban, has a lower hi-limit safety (150 than 180); has variable temperature control; and is way less expensive. Probably a more durable thermostat. Sounds like a good way to go.1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Suburban Water Heater Thermostat Replacement
The current Suburban thermostat is black with the element wire burnt in half. No doubt this is the problem. House fuse box switch was still active - not thrown. There had been contact with a small piece of fiberglass insulation. Probably easiest to take the 60 mile drive today and get a new Suburban; however, I may call Rheems tech; as j-d said, this is a simple circuit. There should be a Rheems equivalent-some with variable temperature controls. I would imagine this is what cpaulsen is purchasing at Home Depot and Lowes. I have replaced the heating element several times now with a hardware store Camco 1500W, as our hard water seems to be the cause of element failure. Definitely the thermostat this time, but never have seen a burnt up one. Thanks for the help!!!1.2KViews0likes0CommentsRe: Suburban Water Heater Thermostat Replacement
Thanks. I will order a backup from Amazon. I do have to get one for tomorrow. Seems like a 120V electric thermostat, other than hi-limit rating, would be fundamentally the same, unless wired for more than one electric coil or for a higher rated coil.115Views0likes0CommentsSuburban Water Heater Thermostat Replacement
The 120V Tstat/switch electric thermostat on my 10 gallon Suburban needs to be replaced as it is confirmed blown. Is there a 130/140 degree Rheems or Camco household equivalent thermostat for a 1500 watt Camco coil? It would be great to start buying thermostats at the local hardware than driving 60 miles to get the Suburban 520788 120V switches at premium cost. Water heater is hooked up to non-mobile 120V household electric. Thanks!5KViews0likes18CommentsSuburban SF-30 to SF-35 Furnace Upgrade
Can I replace a SF-30 30000 BTU Suburban furnace with a SF-35 35000 BTU unit? My SF-30 shook extremely last night and shutdown. Now cool air blows with no heat. Since its 5 years old, I am replacing and will repair this unit as a backup. As I already have 4 interior cabin vents, can I upgrade to a SF-35? The unit is running on a 20 amp fuse and this seems like a better option for our 650 square foot space. The Suburban installation guide specs (except for vent specs) are the same for both units. Thanks. John1.8KViews0likes5Comments
