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Old 08-18-2020, 09:28 AM   #1
cgeis48
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M.O.C. #9174
New Water Heater Thermostat Failure

I bought a 2021 Montana with a Suburban water heater. It's a 12-gallon gas-electric model SW12DEL; after a couple of weeks the electric just stopped working and produces lukewarm water. I called Suburban and the customer service person there tells me that I probably need a new thermostat.
Is this something I can do myself?
Has anyone replaced the thermostat? I would not think it's a big deal other than turning off the breaker and replacing an electronic device.
Thoughts?
 
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Old 08-18-2020, 09:31 AM   #2
mhs4771
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Order the T-stat online, approx $10, and takes 10 to 15 minutes to replace. Much easier to replace on a Suburban that an Atwood. While there make sure the wiring isn't pinched under any of the covers.
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Old 08-18-2020, 10:33 AM   #3
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Also make sure you change out the correct thermostat/Hi-limit switch. There will be one for the 12 volt controlled gas and the other is the 120 volt. If you haven’t already tried, you can reset these by pushing on the rubber covered buttons on the black plastic cover on the face of the water heater.
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Old 08-18-2020, 11:41 AM   #4
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Good advice above. It is a simple surface mount device. Easy to replace.

But honestly I am going to be surprised if that is the problem unless it shows signs of burn marks.
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Old 08-18-2020, 11:53 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cgeis48 View Post
I bought a 2021 Montana with a Suburban water heater. It's a 12-gallon gas-electric model SW12DEL; after a couple of weeks the electric just stopped working and produces lukewarm water. I called Suburban and the customer service person there tells me that I probably need a new thermostat.
Is this something I can do myself?
Has anyone replaced the thermostat? I would not think it's a big deal other than turning off the breaker and replacing an electronic device.
Thoughts?
With the heater full of water, and both inside (if you have one) and the outside little black switch turned off, pry the little black switch out of its hole. Turn both switches on and carfully check for 120 vols on both sides of the outside switch. If you have 120 volts there it may be the thermosate. If not 120 volts there, you have bigger issues.

Report back with your findings.
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Old 08-18-2020, 12:47 PM   #6
cgeis48
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I took the switch out and pulled off the connectors, the voltage between the connectors is 14 V. Is that a different failure than the thermostat?
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Old 08-18-2020, 01:16 PM   #7
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Check the voltage from each connector to ground with the inside switch on if you have one.
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Old 08-18-2020, 01:34 PM   #8
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Malfunctioning water heater

Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_TX View Post
Good advice above. It is a simple surface mount device. Easy to replace.

But honestly I am going to be surprised if that is the problem unless it shows signs of burn marks.
I pulled the electric switch on the exterior of the hot water heater and disconnected both wires, turned the power back on from inside and I have 118 V between the two wires.
At this point I have Also inspected the thermostats on both gas and electric since they are under the same cover. I see no burned wires or reason for a malfunction. I pulled off the electric heater element cover and I see no burn marks or any sign of a problem. So I am lost and lost world. Any thoughts?
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Old 08-18-2020, 01:35 PM   #9
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I pulled the electric switch on the exterior of the hot water heater and disconnected both wires, turned the power back on from inside and I have 118 V between the two wires.
At this point I have Also inspected the thermostats on both gas and electric since they are under the same cover. I see no burned wires or reason for a malfunction. I pulled off the electric heater element cover and I see no burn marks or any sign of a problem. So I am lost and lost world. Any thoughts?
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Old 08-18-2020, 01:39 PM   #10
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Okay so now you've determined the water heater is getting 120 volts that's good.. now reconnect the two wires to the switch but only put them on halfway. Now with the switch in the on position check for voltage from each wire to ground
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Old 08-18-2020, 02:26 PM   #11
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At this point I have to back up a little bit. I just found one of the switches was not turned on so. I turned that switch on. I checked the voltage across the outside water heater switch wires after they were disconnected from the switch. I’m reading a very low voltage around 14 V with a meter.
Here’s the kicker, neither hot water heater fires up; not gas nor Electric. There must be a common connection somewhere for each of them to work. I don’t know what that would be.
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Old 08-18-2020, 02:29 PM   #12
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You cannot check voltage between the two wires. You have to check between a wire and ground like the heater case. With the switch installed wires halfway on it and the switch on check from each terminal to ground.
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Old 08-18-2020, 03:07 PM   #13
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There is a common 12 volt component for the propane and the 120 vac. The inside switch for 120 vac is actually 12 vdc that energizes a relay on the water heater to send 120 vac to the heating element. I am not at home right now or I would post a link to the Suburban wiring diagram. Maybe some one else will in the meantime.
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Old 08-18-2020, 03:19 PM   #14
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OK checking that way there is no voltage between either terminal on the switch and the cabinet of the hot water heater. I have a switch in the on position.
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Old 08-18-2020, 03:22 PM   #15
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In the Files section there is a Suburban Water Heater Troubleshooting Manual that is invaluable in figuring out these kinds of problems.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...?do=file&id=17
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Old 08-18-2020, 03:22 PM   #16
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I know its fun to pick everyones brain on the forum but just in case you can look here:
https://techsupport.pdxrvwholesale.c...urban-sw12del/
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Old 08-18-2020, 03:24 PM   #17
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OK I understand better now. The two wires on the outside switch each have 120 V to ground.
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Old 08-18-2020, 03:25 PM   #18
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Thanks
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Old 08-18-2020, 04:04 PM   #19
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I'm not having any fun!
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Old 08-18-2020, 04:05 PM   #20
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I'm having NO fun at all!
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