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Old 12-25-2021, 05:57 PM   #1
ruben
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Ugh!!! Water Heater Issues

Hello MOC,
Help!!!
Water heater not heating with electric. Have a 2005 2950rk with a suburban SW10de heater.

Gas side of heater working properly.
Replaced both thermostats.
Replaced heating element and anode rod.
Replaced on/off switch.
Replaced circuit board.
Replaced pressure relief valve due to leakage.
Checked 15 amp breaker at distribution panel.
Checked 50 amp cord connection, and panel at house breaker box.
Checked the GFI outlets.
What am I Missing???
Thank you for all of your wisdom and experience.
 
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Old 12-25-2021, 06:14 PM   #2
AZ Traveler
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Ruben,

There are a couple of guides loaded on the site. Assume you have gone step by step through the troubleshooting. If so, may be time to take it to a professional.

https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...?do=file&id=56
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Old 12-25-2021, 06:22 PM   #3
DadsHemi
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I’m assuming you check the power that connects to the element ? If not check it, if there is no power then there is a wire in the junction box that has come loose. I’m not sure where that junction box is at on your year, could be on or around the water heater.
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Old 12-26-2021, 06:06 AM   #4
ChuckS
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On the back side of the water heater.. located up high will be a junction box.. This is for the 120 volt feed to water heater..

Look in this area for issues... Also .. if your RV has a switch INSIDE for the ELEC option to heat the water heater then inside that junction box is a remote 12 volt relay that controls the 120 volt source power to the heating element on the heater... If the relay is bad then the water heater will never work on elec mode...

The control board you replaced on the water heater has ZERO affect for the 120 volt elect side operation.. it only is for the LP side of operation
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Old 12-26-2021, 09:43 AM   #5
BB_TX
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Using a voltmeter would have saved you a lot of time and replacing. You need to determine where you have 120 vac power and where you do not by a process of elimination. Since you have already replaced all those components we will have to assume those are all good. Although as noted above, the control board is not associated with the 120 vac side.

Did you check for voltage at the load side of the circuit breaker? Power there? No, did you check the line side of that breaker? No, then you have a source power problem. Yes at line side and no at load side, then you have a bad circuit breaker.

If you have power on the load side, then you need to check for voltage at the black rocker switch on the water heater. No power? Then you have a problem between the circuit breaker and the switch. Have power, then you need to check for power at the input to the thermostat/hi temp cutout switch. See power checking note below.

If you have power at the thermostat/hi temp cutout input screw, try the thermostat/hi temp cut out output. Then try at the heating element. At some point in that process you should find where the power is lost.


All this is based on the assumption you are comfortable troubleshooting live 120 vac with a voltmeter. If not, then you need to find someone who is.


Power checking note: when checking for 120 vac power at the water heater first put the negative meter lead on the neutral side of the heating element. If it does not show power, then move the meter lead to touch the water heater metal housing. If at any time you show power when touching the housing but not when touching the heating element lead, then you have a bad neutral connection. Burned neutral wires due to bad connections have been reported a number of times before.
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Old 12-26-2021, 11:13 AM   #6
Daryles
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Sounds like you covered everything.
As mentioned above there is a service manual in the files section. In the manual is the electrical wiring diagram.
The relay is mounted in a junction box on the side of the heater. You will need to pull the heater out just a bit to test for voltage there.
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Old 12-26-2021, 12:27 PM   #7
DadsHemi
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How about an update Ruben, lot of great help here in this post. Let us know if it has helped.
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Old 12-26-2021, 01:46 PM   #8
seminolecoop
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Our 2021 3761fl had a plug hanging in the rear cargo area near the water heater and a 120 receptical mounted. This was not plugged in from factory. Took several trips before just plugging it in and trying it. There is a breaker and switch for electric water heating also. Works great now that I plugged it in.
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Old 12-26-2021, 06:44 PM   #9
dieselguy
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I'm not dissing this MOC member with the WH problem, but to all following this thread the first 2 sentences on reply 5 by BB TX should become engrained in the minds of RV owners with electrical issues. Replacing everything in front of you is not the way to go at troubleshooting issues of any topic.
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Old 12-26-2021, 06:57 PM   #10
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Amen. Not to mention costly.
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Old 12-27-2021, 08:14 AM   #11
ruben
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Issue resolved. It was in the relay in the junction box.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the great information!!!
I just knew that an answer from this great group of wise and experienced owners would solve the problem.
Again, THANK YOU!!!
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Old 12-27-2021, 10:12 AM   #12
DadsHemi
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Good to hear the issue was resolved
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Old 01-02-2022, 02:00 PM   #13
RetiredandRollin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ruben View Post
Issue resolved. It was in the relay in the junction box.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the great information!!!
I just knew that an answer from this great group of wise and experienced owners would solve the problem.
Again, THANK YOU!!!
There is a positive side to all this. You now have a bunch of spare water heater parts available for later use. Providing you kept them.
Not disrespectful, just trying to add a little humor.
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Old 01-02-2022, 02:03 PM   #14
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If you have power at the heating element it should work long as you put water in before you turned power on. If when using gas is the water hot, if not make sure if you have out side shower that both the valve’s are closed
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Old 01-02-2022, 03:06 PM   #15
Ttman
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When I had problems, I followed the Hillbilly RV channel on YouTube. Here is the link to the video that helped me. https://youtu.be/zUSDEp4jRos.

I just followed along step by step pausing and replaying the video as needed.

I hope this helps
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Old 01-02-2022, 04:39 PM   #16
AJ&S
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Experienced issues

Last year the small on off switch located on front of heater burned. You need to check with volt meter for incoming power. Note: Please make sure that power is off, when you pull this switch off. It shorts to housing very easily.

Couple weeks ago all wiring inside junction box burned. Fortunately fuse tripped,, otherwise we would have one toasted camper.

On my unit junction box is on top lbs front corner
I had hard time pulling heater out due to insulation binding.

As others have said,, you need to check incoming power,, step by step
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Old 01-02-2022, 05:26 PM   #17
dfb
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our water heater was not connected from the factory...
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