Water heater was not heating well

[rohrmann]

Over the, last several weeks, we had noticed the hot water was getting a bit cooler than the normal hot that we had been used to. We ended up turning on the gas mode just to take a shower. I finally figured out that the thermostat had to be getting weak, so I ordered a new one and changed it out. Now have hot water on 120 volts again from our Suburban water heater. The photo is of the old one.

[Ahdmeyer]

good thing to remember if the hot water does not heat well on electric. thx for the info. what neck of the woods you guys at? probably dont remember me we meet at the quartzite rally a few years back. i was in the same trade as you.
al meyer
3931fb
az

[rohrmann]

Yes, how are you doing? We are still planted in Sun City, will probably spend most of the summer here this year. Lost our summer parking spot south of Yosemite and haven't come up with anywhere new.

[BB_TX]

The old one looks practically new. No discoloration. How did you determine it was bad? Low voltage coming out?

[rohrmann]

It was bad because the water was not hot, just warm. I replaced it with a new one and the water is now hot. There is no way to test these easily, but the water heater was new in 2016 when I installed it, and we full time, so after six years of use, I guess the thermostat, which is the part without the reset button, just wore out. I could switch on the gas side and the water would heat up, so that was the test I used.

[BB_TX]

Thanks, Bob. I never had one go bad, so did not know if there was a specific way to test one or not. Especially if water was warm, but not hot. Easier if it is either hot or cold.

[Ahdmeyer]

bob we are doing ok looking forward to do some traveling did no get to qua zite the last 2 years but hopefully things are better for next year. hope you guys are doing well inn this crazy world. quartzite in your plans for next year? if so hope to see you then be safe stay healthy we are in new river az maybe 30 miles from sun city. going to be a hot summer
al meyer
3931 fb
az

[Kyle and Lisa]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

Over the, last several weeks, we had noticed the hot water was getting a bit cooler than the normal hot that we had been used to. We ended up turning on the gas mode just to take a shower. I finally figured out that the thermostat had to be getting weak, so I ordered a new one and changed it out. Now have hot water on 120 volts again from our Suburban water heater. The photo is of the old one.

Good info, ours is about 4 1/2 years old, I think I'll replace it just for maint. reasons.

[rohrmann]

It wasn’t expensive, only $20 on Amazon.

[twindman]

A question on the electric side stuff - does the thermostat work on the electric? Ours could be a little hotter than it is.

[rohrmann]

Behind the black cover that has the two rubber button covers there are two thermostat/Hi-limit devices. The one on the left is the one for the 120 volt side and the one on the right is for the 12 volt controlled gas side. So, both function with electric to operate. On both, the actual thermostats are on the bottom and the resetable Hi-limit switches are the parts that have the buttons and these are positioned behind the rubber covers.

[Bill M]

Check your heating element for excessive build up. I replace mine every year as those item pick up more corrosion than the corrosive rods do.

[twindman]

No one answered - can you adjust the temp on the electric side?

[rohrmann]

No, the thermostats are not adjustable, and they are supposed to be calibrated to 130 degrees. Sorry, I never saw a question related to a temperature adjustment on the thermostat.

[pyoung47]

It is the element which fails more frequently. It should be checked for continuity on an empty tank.

[kully542]

hi maybe some one could help me pls. we have a 22 3761fl and it does not work on elec. it works fine on propane.have no power to element. but have power at breaker. pls help i think its someone small but cant think.. thank u. and no it does not have that little switch at bottom of hot water heater.. this is the incomand

[BB_TX]

Kully - you really need to use a voltmeter to find the source of the problem as it could be several things. Some reported in the past;
- bad heating element
- bad thermostat/hi temp cutout
- bad little black switch on the water heater (assuming it is a Suburban, but yours must be an Atwood)
- bad relay in junction box on WH
- bad, burned, or loose wire connections at any of several points including inside the Jbox on the water heater
- tripped breaker (although you said you checked that)
- bad inside switch, or loss of 12 vdc to it
- loss of neutral
- and probably more.

If you are comfortable using a voltmeter to troubleshoot live 120 vac then that is the best way to find the problem.

[Carl n Susan]

I too suspect it is an Atwood WH with which I have *NO* experience. But a quick Google search says there is a Reset Switch for the electric element near it under a cover. Push it it if it is sticking out (i.e. tripped).

[wed]

Always good to remember

[amyed]

My element reads 115V in full tank. 121V at new switch. water is cooler then it was. Any thoughts?