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08-18-2020, 09:28 AM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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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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Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-18-2020, 09:31 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sebring
Posts: 3,662
M.O.C. #9969
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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.
__________________
Michelle & Ann
2018 Chevy 3500HD High Country DRW 4X4 Crew Cab w/Duramax/Allison, Formally 2010 Montana 2955RL, Now Loaded 2016 SOB, Mor/ryde IS, Disc Brakes & Pin Box, Comfort Ride Hitch, Sailun 17.5 Tires.
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08-18-2020, 10:33 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,712
M.O.C. #12947
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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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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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08-18-2020, 11:41 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,190
M.O.C. #6433
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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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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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08-18-2020, 11:53 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cgeis48
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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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.
__________________
2018 Chevy 3500 LTZ Dually Diesel 4x4 CCLB
2011 Montana 3455 SA. 6 point level up. Disc brakes. Curt Q24 Hitch. 5 step glow steps
Progressive EMS. Valterra tank valves. Sailun G637 tires. ARP fridge control. All led lighting. Mor Ryde IS
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08-18-2020, 12:47 PM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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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?
__________________
Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-18-2020, 01:16 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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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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08-18-2020, 01:34 PM
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#8
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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Malfunctioning water heater
Quote:
Originally Posted by BB_TX
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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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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08-18-2020, 01:35 PM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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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?
__________________
Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-18-2020, 01:39 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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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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08-18-2020, 02:26 PM
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#11
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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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.
__________________
Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-18-2020, 02:29 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: westminster md
Posts: 2,321
M.O.C. #17894
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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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08-18-2020, 03:07 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,190
M.O.C. #6433
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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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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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08-18-2020, 03:19 PM
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#14
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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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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Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-18-2020, 03:22 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,400
M.O.C. #4831
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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
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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08-18-2020, 03:22 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: 1000 oaks
Posts: 955
M.O.C. #19630
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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/
__________________
2011 2955RL Gen-Y Executive Kingpin
2022 GMC 2500HD Duramax/Alison
4X4 Crew Cab/Standard bed.
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08-18-2020, 03:24 PM
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#17
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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OK I understand better now. The two wires on the outside switch each have 120 V to ground.
__________________
Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-18-2020, 03:25 PM
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#18
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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Thanks
__________________
Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-18-2020, 04:04 PM
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#19
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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I'm not having any fun!
__________________
Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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08-18-2020, 04:05 PM
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#20
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Posts: 179
M.O.C. #9174
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I'm having NO fun at all!
__________________
Carl & Susan G
2021 Montana 3121RL Legacy
2017 Ford F250 6.7 diesel
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