Thank you all for responding with good information, Lisa and I have noticed for the last week that the water is not getting as hot as it usually does and also the recovery time is very long. I turned on the propane yesterday afternoon and water got hot in a lot shorter time. Also, on the heating element, there is 2 electric terminals, does it matter which wire goes to which terminal ?? Thanks
From the schematic in the manual, it does not appear that it matters. It's like a resistor in a circuit, which is why it heats up.
When you remove the element, take a look at it. If it's scaled over, you may be able to clean it and reinstall it. If you can't easily remove the scale, just replace it.
I believe the life of the element is related to the quality of the water you put into the heater tank. Same for the anode rod. That's why I run all water through a two-stage filter system.
O.k. thanks John,
I just picked the element up from General RV fifteen bucks, camping world wanted over twice that much, I will post back after install, I may or may not get to it today as the well needed rains are upon us.
UPDate ON Element replacement,
O.K. everyone, I put the new heat element in this evening without issue, a couple things I noticed upon removing the old one. The original one was very loose, didn't have to use a pry bar to get it loose like the one I replaced several years back. The old element was filled with calcium deposits big time !! But, I'm not so sure that's the total problem, there may be something else wrong. After waiting several hours for the water to heat up it still doesn't get scolding hot water like before. Could there be something else going ?? if so what ?? I purchased the correct element a Suburban part number 520900. I know the install was correct cause I did it myself. The only thing I did not quite get was the two terminal connections on the element, if there was a special way to put the two wire connections. My buddy John on this forum said it didn't matter what wire went to either terminal, does everyone agree on this ?? Thanks for the help everyone, O, by the way, this water heater is only 2 years old.
Bobby A
Bobby, did you check the Hi-Limit thermostat switches? I'm getting ready to head to the FD for a 24 hr. shift or I'd pull up the manual again for the schematics.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Tried calling, no answer. Try mine: 810-252-8612
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Starting to get a little frustrated on this one. Some times the water gets real hot and other times it just gets hot, but not as hot as usual. Does this make sense to everyone ?? Is it possible I got a defective heating element ?? Is there something else going wrong with my hot water tank ?? Need some help on this one please. Thank you,
Bobby
Yeah, Bobby, like Dan says. There really isn't anything fancy in the 120V circuit for the water heater. No circuit boards or such like the propane side. Loose or corroded connection, maybe a mouse dined on part of a wire. Does the propane heating system work?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you Dan & John for chiming in, I'm not good at all with electrical troubleshooting, I will take a look back there and see if I see anything and jiggle some wires. Yes, the propane side works.
Thank you both,
Bobby
Start with the connectors for the element. Being semi-exposed, they may have some built up corrosion on them. Contact cleaner or even a little sandpaper might be needed.