What you need to know about a Surburban Water Heater
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- čas přidán 11. 10. 2021
- What you need to know about a Surburban Water Heater. We're adding a segment to our weekly tech tips that dive into the most popular appliances you'll find in your RV.
Many of us have them and have no idea what's inside.
If you're looking for a place to learn how to fix your own RV, look at the school where RV Technicians and Inspectors are trained. Join us for a week of RV Fundamentals taught by Tech Tip Todd himself.
Visit www.NRVTA.com
Looking for a way to start your own business in the booming RV industry? Get trained and certified at the National RV Training Academy in Athens, TX. The largest licensed hands-on career school in the country.
Call (903) 386-0444 or visit www.NRVTA.com
Hi Todd, thanks for the great video. I took the fundamentals course a few months ago where you went over water heaters. About a month after I got home, my home water heater got scalding hot and the next day it stopped heating. I called a plumber and was given an appointment two weeks away. After a week of cold showers I remembered that you had gone over RV water heaters in the class so I pulled out my class notes. I metered the element and it was bad. I went to Home Depot to get a new one and saw the thermostat right above it on the shelf and on a hunch bought it. After I drained the tank and replaced the element the water got really hot which led me to believe the thermostat was bad, so replaced it and all was good. So the class has already saved me a bunch of money on a plumber. Thanks again and looking forward to my solar class in November.
Love the way you teach Todd. You are thorough and explain it in a great way. You are a natural, keep up the great videos.
Agreed about the propane. We never have ours on during travel. Tips are much appreciated and love the out takes :)
Finally, you mention the Air gap. Too many people don't know about that. Many flip the lever to check for water, then cause a drip. Great video. Always informative.
It is a good thing it was late when I saw this...I immediately wanted to go out and look at my heater again. I actually didn't know about the electric on mine until a friend walked over and turned it on for me on the third or fourth trip with the trailer. :) Enjoy all your tips and information. Now to go learn how to change an anode!
Outstanding info. I have subscribed and will look forward to future videos, as well as pulling up previous videos. Being a relative newbie, videos like this that are on point and not filled will high tech jargon are greatly appreciated!
Always good. Seems like I heard some of this before in your Fundamentals class back in April 👍
God job explaining the water heater.
For some reason mine in my new Arcadia decided to blow apart on the seam. Thank goodness we were there at the time to be able to shut the water off. We don't ever leave it on when we leave when we go shopping.
Thanks again for your insight 👍
Sorry to hear that. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for your videos Todd!
You do a great Job of teaching!
Very informative, for any "handy" person, the maintenance and troubleshooting is made simple! Thanx for your expertise!
Glad to help
Awesome video! I can't wait to meet you in January! Thanks for the tips.
Excellent presentation!
Good video covering the basics and anatomy.
Gosh I learn so much from you!
A little longer than 2 minutes but you won’t hear me complain. Great info, very thorough
Don't get all technical on the tech tips. ha ha ha
Thank you for the information!!!
Great tips! Thank you!
Great tech tip!
Excellent tips
Awesome information! 🫡🫡🇺🇸🇺🇸
On a recent trip to Newfoundland Canada, my fridge was off for about 18 hours while on the ferry. I had 6 medium sized ice packs (actual frozen water) in the fridge. The temp. was 40'F (5'C) the next day when we arrived. I was shocked how cold everything still was. Please, for your own safety, shut your propane off while driving.
Absolutely. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent info!
Very helpful series, thank you! And YES PLEASE on slides! I know there are different kinds of slide mechanisms -- which (if any) can be sat in/used while retracted (in travel mode)? I'm mostly asking regarding trailers. I am doing homework and going to buy my first trailer soon, and I quite possibly might have to use it without the slide deployed from time to time.
After I get my trailer I will be coming for the NRTVA Fundamentals class, but I would appreciate knowing this sort of detail before buying the trailer, if possible. Thanks!
(As for why not purchase a trailer without a slide -- what I get will depend upon what is available in my budget at the time I'm ready to buy. Slideless will be preferred, but might not be an option when the time comes simply due to supply.)
Can't wait to start class April 7th see ya then
Complete Awesomeness
Thx. Learned something!
Like your videos. New to rving. Thanks for info!
Great. Thanks!
Informative and entertaining.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
Nice job god bless
I have a new Suburban electric/propane water heater that I plan on installing next spring (unless I have some warm weather in November, which is doubtful considering that I live in Manitoba Canada) The old one wouldn't run on propane but the ran great on electric until it sprang a leak. I have a 2008 Keystone Sprinter 311bhs. Is it possible to run both electric and propane at the same time at startup to get heat up more quickly??? Also how often should I replace the anode rod??? I usually use camp grounds in which has on site water and run direct, but I do a couple of weekends I camp in no service camp sites up north then I fill the fresh water tank with the well water from my friends farm before I go up there. Thanks, and I appreciate and look forward to your tech tip Tuesdays!!!
Just watched this video. You're telling me just the opposite of what I've been told pt valve for home use . This is hard to imagine.
My propane water heater uses diesel.
LOL keep up the good work.
Could very strong winds and rain cause a burning smell while the water heater is on propane? Had that happen last weekend and the iN·Command shut it down with a check water heater message. Worked fine the next morning on electric.
Actually you can change those out for higher temp rated ones just hard to find them
Can you use the electric element at the same time as the gas?
So very helpful!!! Thanks. Inside the RV next to the gas hot water heater on/off switch there is a red fault light, labeled DSI. When that is on, what does that mean?
So the red fault DSI (direct spark ignition) means the water heater tried to light and it couldnt light. The red light indicates it tried to start a flame but coudlnt. (could be no lor low propane, could be be bugs in the burner assembly, could be a bad component.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy THANK YOU! That makes sense with issues I have seen. I think I have a bad pressure regulator. When it was in the low 30s, the furnace and propane fire pit worked but the hot water heater failed and the DSI Light came on, and the hot water was only like warm. Again thanks. So helpful.
Is there an adjustable thermostat available for the water temperature?
any info on the on demand hot water heater
What about traveling across country with a propane refrigerator , not much choice but to run it .. any suggestions ?
Great informative video... I replaced my Atwood with Suburban advantage but when I open the faucet I keep getting air...how can I stop it?
Did you figure this out? Ours is doijg the same thing 😔
Our suburban water heater has a metallic smell. We purchased our rig new, 2019 fifth wheel, in 2018. We’ve recently flushed the water heater x 3 (used a gallon of white vinegar with the initial flush) and replaced the anode with a zinc aluminum. Replaced water hose as well. Any thoughts on what might be causing the metallic smell? Seems to have started about a month ago around the time we switched hoses to cold weather hose during a freeze when temp dropped. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Is there a switch to go from electric to gas? My Suburban h.w.h is the same one you have.
2022 alpha wolf 22 sw-l i do not see a swith anywhere in the hot water heater bay just see a on / off swith inside on the wall where the control panel is. I'm I missing something outside?
I had been living in my camper for 6-7 months before knowing it had an electric option! That little electric on/off switch is kinda hidden. Now that I’m used to hearing the propane burner fire up and knowing that I am about to have hot water, I don’t know that I will bother with the electric. During the summer it would take 8-10 minutes to heat up, winter it takes about 18 minutes. I time my showers accordingly. I flip the propane switch to the water heater on, and when it’s about to shut off I jump in and my hot water heater stays on and lasts longer.
My Suburban hot water heater's 120-volt side melted the wire by the temperature sensor that goes to the heating element. I fixed the wire and replaced the sensor only to have it melt the wire again the same day. So I tested the wires and the only thing strange I found was the ground wire that hooks to the heating element had 24 volts and this is with it disconnected from the heating element. Do you have any ideas where the ground would be getting 24 volts from?
I agree 2000% not to drive with a flame open flame some of these motorhomes and trailers that burn on the side of the road makes you wonder
My water gets really hot but it’s leaking out of the hot water heater out the back of camper when shower is used but not when it’s not in use. I think I have the Atwell hot water heater but mine also looks a lot like this one. I can’t get an RV tech to come out and fix it. Can I call a regular plumber?
Hi Todd, the hot water coming out of my water heater is way too hot. Is there a way to regulate the temperature? Just curious, thank you.
And i have one of those thermostats from a suburban I used to have looking to sell it
If I end up having a suburban water heater, could I have it changed out to an Atwood instead? Why wouldn’t I want to?
Can you do a video on different types of water heaters. I have a Dominic water heater (electric/LP) with NO anorode in it...but I do flush the water heater religiously. Any tips to long term use ?
yes that is coming out in a couple weeks
Your Suburban has a water heater? What year?
Does it matter to much on the Watts? 1440 , 1500, or 2000
Todd should you drain your hot water tank when on storage? If so whats the best way to drain it?
Yes. I have a tech tip on this regarding the anode rod. I go through the steps to emptying the tank.
Oops wrong video... I have an atwood! But I'll watch it an give it a thumbs up anyway..
We're shooting the atwood video next week
I thought it was against NDOT regulations to have your propane tank on while driving 🤔. Now I’ll have to look in my regulations book when I get home later this weekend to look it up. 🤓
each state may be different.
You mention turning the gas off while travelling. Foolish not to. Recently in my part of the world we had an incident where a RV with a 3 way fridge was filling with fuel when the fridge automatically fired up on gas. The service station went up in flames. The same would have happened if the hot water fired up.
My right side reset button is pushed all the way in and I can't push the left one ....what should I do
Where is the circuit board?
Hi Todd
I've got an unusual issue with my hybrid camper is it possible to email you directly.
Thanks
Jesse
Tod are the tanks inside the waterheater steel or aluminum?
Andrew, it depends on the brand. Suburban water heater tanks are steel, but Dometic are aluminum.
What about leaving your fridge on propane while traveling? Is that considered a no no?
I would recommend no. I know its not against the law unless you go through tunnels and into gas stations but the same laws of physics apply.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy ok sir! Thanks for your time! Love your videos!! Have a great night.
I call that a cover not a case
My red light on the control panel won’t come on when in gas. Any recommendations
That is your flame sense. you may have a no propane or a bad solenoid on your gas valve.
Love your vids. I have learned a lot! Would like for you to discuss the “sail switch”, as I understand this is a rather common fail point. Lastly… I’ve always wondered if it’s ok to run the electric heating element and the propane at the same time, and if not, why? Thanks!!!
You can run them both at the same time just don’t run the heater with the tank empty.
@@sobania6095 what happens if the heater is running when the propane tank runs out?
@@annej5699 I should have said "Don't run the water heater (gas or electric) if the water heater is empty/dry.
We have a Coachman Freedom Express 287BHDS with a 6 gallon dsi water heater. I asked them about the anode rod and the dealer said it doesn't have one because of what the tank is made out of?
Yes more than likely your brand is and Atwood/Dometic water heater which is made of aluminum. Aluminum does not corrode like steel does so there is no need for an anode rod.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy So if your fridge, A/C, toilet are all Dometic, could one assume the water heater is as well? 🤔
How do you keep your frig going without having propane on going down the road?
So a smal inverter can provide power from the batteries. As well if you plan, you can take frozen food (meat) and set in the fridge. If all food inside both are at refrige temp then you will get 4+ hours of cooling without power.
so my Suburban water heater is backdrafting in any wind. the flame actually comes out the intake. it melted the electric element cover. i've cleaned the combustion chamber and cant think what else it could be. the flue looks in prefect shape.
What color is the flame?
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy blue
Why would it have 150psi when the pressure regulator is set at 45psi?
Wow that's very interesting I didn't know suburbans came with a water heater?
My heater has a heating element in the spot where most heaters have the anode rod installed. There is no other place for the heating element.
What if my suburban heat is not sparking? I hear no clicking with the igniter?
Check to make sure you have good 12v power. If that's good then it could be either the control module or the igniter. If you can't get it to work you can always call a RVTAA certified RV Technician RVTAA.org/locate and have them diagnose the issue.
Ok, how do I find out what type of water heater my trailer has? Thanks!
Look at the drain plug. if its metal and in the middle then chances are its a Suburban, if the drain plug is plastic then its an Atwood/Dometic.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy ok, thanks. I was asking prior to the episode because the title led me to think there was an issue with a Suburban water heater. But after watching I realized it was generalized stuff about water heaters. I generally have 0 clue what ya'll are talking about most of the time, but I watch & listen & if I have an issue, will come back & rewatch to troubleshoot. Thanks for all the info! 👍😁
Let us know if there’s any topics you’d like us to cover.
@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy Have you ever covered using electric space heaters in an RV? Thanks 👍
I thought the reset button on the right was for electric and the one on the left was for propane.
You said "tap" on the prv. I thought you had to flip it open? Please clarify.
Tap to close the valve
Ok thanks!
Our RV is barely 3 years old and we have this exact tank which is completely shot. Even with replacing the anode rod every single component of this thing corroded and it's not like we don't take care of the RV, in fact our RV looks better than the new ones on the lot because we're OCD about keeping it maintained and cleaned, there's just no way with this water heater, maybe it's our well water IDK but even the external housing components which don't contact our well water are deeply corroded and rusted. Now we're 700 miles from home on a lengthy trip and it won't ignite. What's even worse is that we're hours from any CampingWorld and Amazon parts shipping will take a week. That's a long time without a shower...
I've heard that many people keep the propane ON while driving to keep their fridge cold. It is NOT necessary, and very unsafe. My fridge temp. will still be at 40'F (5'C) after 5 hours of driving.
Do you turn off your frig then? It cant run on coach batteries only can it?
@@alive-awake Hi I Renee. When I'm driving, my propane is OFF and so is my fridge. It is not a 12V fridge. Electric and Propane only.
TFSFireman
It that driving 5 hrs in Canada or in Florida where I live?
@@FlaThunderstorm in Canada during the summer. Temps approx. 80 - 90'F. I also use 4 or 5 frozen icepacks
I see a flaw in the design here. Water heater relief goes off at 150 psi. Anything I have been told use a pressure regulator on your fresh water set to 40 psi. So you may have a water line fail before the water heater relief lifts. Thanks for your tips great job.
So the water itself is up to 60psi, but the air pocket inside the water heater can be 150psi. The air pocket is small and not enough to push the water at 150psi at all. So the water system is safe.
Mine caught on fire. Almost burnt my camper to the ground
I don't think my water heater has an anode rod
Awesome! That would mean you have an aluminum tank. We’ll touch on that next Tuesday.
How do i prevent my kids from playing inside the complex internal mechanisms of this hot water heater so they don't electrocute themselves!!!?? Those darn kids!!!! Next thing i know is that will be playing with my 44 magnum!!
Hi Todd, I have a question:
I am replacing my Suburban S6WDE in my 1996 Casita.
When I want to heat water on 120 volts INSTEAD OF PROPANE how do I do it ?
I know the 20 amp circuit breaker has to be on, but do I have to go outside to the water heater and turn on the black switch?
If that’s the case wouldn’t that mean the water heater is working FULL TIME anytime you are plugged into city power IF you leave that switch in the ON position ?
I have a remote switch INSIDE the trailer for direct ignition for lighting it on propane, but NO other DESIGNATED switch for 120 V.
Thanks for the great advice on things!👍😎
If you're traveling at 70 mph down the highway, as you suggest, then you are exceeding the speed rating on your tires. Just saying.