Hot Water Heater Not Working on Electric

[cbhughan]

Another issue with this 2014 Big Sky. I will probably have it repaired at a Keystone RV dealer since it is still under warranty but it is still frustrating. I know it is probably one of three things since the heater works on propane. It's is either the electric element, the electric thermostat or the 120V AC to the unit. The electric thermostat reset button which is under a rubber grommet appears to be concave instead of convex like the gas thermostat reset button. Since we can get hot water with propane I guess I'll wait until it's convenient to get to a Keystone dealer.

[BB_TX]

Still under warranty and if the dealer is convenient, that is what I would probably do.

But if you are confident in troubleshooting 120 vac, and you have a volt meter, and taking it to the dealer is not convenient, then you can find the water heater schematic with a google search (if one did not come with your rig), and probably pretty easily find the problem youself. And likely fix it faster and easier.

[Phil P]

Hi

On our 2009 there is a switch in the heater compartment that you access by removing the outside cover. The dealer turns this off when servicing the trailer so the electric portion of the heater can’t be turned on while they are working on it.

Our dealer had left that in the off position and we called when on the road and they told us where the switch was.

Phil P

[richfaa]

Mine failed a couple of weeks ago. It was the connection's the factory made to the hot water tank on the 120 V side when building the unit. Poor workmanship. Cost 135.00 for a mobile Rv repair person t o come out and repair it we could not get to the melt down point.
made a post on this under "more failures" in this thread.
suburban tank 121405560 sw-12del

[RRman]

Concur its MOST likely a bad 120V Connection from the RV to the Electrical box on the WH. Assuming breaker is good and element isn't fried.

[bigskyjimmy]

For a lot of us it has been the Thermostat switch 120v (left one behind the rubber cover ) I went thru 2 off them ,easy fix 2 wires and one nut and 24 bucks for the switch from E bay

[richfaa]

Fortunately it is a minimal problem.

[bncinwv]

I am sure you are aware that there are two switches for the electric portion, one inside and one on the heater itself. Both must be on. The other thing to remember if you ever turn the heater on without water in the tank, it will fry the element in a couple of seconds. The element is easy to check with a multimeter. The switches are easily checked by a look-see. Hopefully it is one of these two simple things. If not, the thermostat is the next likely culprit providing that the electrical connections are intact and the breaker is not kicked.
Bingo