RV Water Heater Troubleshooting and Repair

#ilovervlife #RVwaterheatertroubleshooting #RVwaterheaterrepair The video shows our step-by-step process for RV water heater troubleshooting and repair. The RV water heater shown in the video is a 12 Gallon Suburban Advantage Tank Water Heater model 5146A/F. I’ve also included helpful links below for parts, tools, and our video showing how to use a digital voltmeter.
How To Use A Digital Voltmeter - • Digital Voltmeters, Su...
Crenova MS8233D Digital Multimeter - amzn.to/3rcCo1T
Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver - amzn.to/3ZqrvWY
Suburban 232306 Thermostat Switch, Model: 232306 - amzn.to/3LnK741
520900 RV Water Heater Element For Suburban RV SW Series Electric Water Heater - amzn.to/3EFGBy7
Visit our website for more I Love RV Life travels, tips and camper modifications at ilovervlife.com
ilovervlife.com/rv-accessories/ Check out our RV Accessories where we have listed a wide range of products from essential items to those "nice to have" RV products to make RV life more enjoyable. Every item listed is being used or has been used by Joan and I as we've traveled across the country in our RV.
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[@jamiewenner888]

I knew there was a reason I liked you. Fellow lefty!

[@iLoveRVlife]

We’re that special 10% 😏

[@TxTravel295MK]

Very informative as always.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Thanks

[@timf6916]

Good job

[@iLoveRVlife]

Thanks

[@MagaRickn]

Good video. I may have to watch your video on using the volt meter. ;)

[@iLoveRVlife]

Thanks Rick

[@georgebryant2940]

Thanks Jerry, I just had to replace my on/off switch on my water heater it just locked up. They sure don’t give you a lot of extra wire to work with do they. Now I know what’s behind that panel and what to look for if needed.

[@iLoveRVlife]

It’s touch and go on some of these repairs. Wait till you look at the wiring behind the panel in the main garage!

[@NormRidg]

Thanks for showing how you can DYI some of the issues we can have. I had a spider web inside the gas tube. You Tube and a few minutes dismantling fixed it. Now I have a bug screen on the hot water heater door. Amazon is our friend. 🙂

[@iLoveRVlife]

Good move. Those critters can be a sneaky problem.

[@scovillesadventures7141]

My brand new heartland had loose heater element wire from the factory. The day we brought it home and a test camp in the yard, started seeing smoke from the element housing.

[@iLoveRVlife]

I think I may have run into the same problem and it cooked my switch in the process.

[@rayh3973]

This just happened to me in July, propane OK and electric no good. Got home and started the diagnosis and it drove me crazy. Control board, thermal switches, and heater element all tested good. I backed tracked to the circuit breaker panel and the breaker was fine. I noticed that the wire from the breaker had a white sheath, but the wire into water was black, strange. So I pulled a panel off under the sink where the water heater was and there it was. There was an outlet under there and the plug going to the heater had worked itself out, I assume from the trailer movement while traveling. It was a duh moment, ha ha.

[@iLoveRVlife]

That’s the challenge with an RV. Wiring diagrams don’t exist and if they did, doubt they would be followed consistently. Interesting the water heater was plugged vs hardwire. It’s one of those “who would have thought?” repairs. Thanks for sharing.

[@robertstacy2095]

Great video. I have the same model camper you have and decided to check my wiring to be sure it was ok and to my surprise the same wire had a small wear mark, which would have eventually cut through the insulation on the wire. In my case this is clearly being caused by the sharp edge you mentioned in your video. I was able to bend the sharp edge down and applied some heat shrink to add additional protection. I also noticed the 2 red wires coming off the 12 volt side was also showing wear marks being caused by a sharp edge at the top of the housing. I was not able to bend that edge down because of the tight location. I need to figure out a way to protect those wires or the sharp edge will eventually wear through them.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Glad to hear that is a good catch. Wonder how many others are having this issue?

[@williambouchard4480]

Correct me if I’m mistaken, I believe you could have used the propane side of the water heater and you would have hot water again. Obviously you want to fix it though. I only have the propane option on my 6 gallon Dometic. Great video. Thanks.

[@iLoveRVlife]

Hi William and thanks. You’re correct. We were able to have hot water using propane, but wanted the 110V AC side working when connected to 50A campground power.

[@pigybak]

👍

[@iLoveRVlife]

Thanks for watching.

[@shaundavidson2582]

Was watching some rv park tours. I was wondering have been to the new Resort Talona Ridge in Ellijay yet if what did you think, I'm booked for Christmas week 2023. not many videos on the resort a few.

[@iLoveRVlife]

It looks to be a great place. Just guessing, but a bit pricey and others in the area more affordable.

[@trailertrashtim1]

Now we all know who to call when our RV breaks. 😄😄😄

[@iLoveRVlife]

Thanks for the vote of confidence!