water heater

[oldbird]

The other morning woke up to cold water with the WH on electric. The thermo switch limit switch has continuity and the thermo part has continuity. Checked heater element and it had 120v across it?? So the only thing I can think of thermo switch is going bad and when I was checking things out it was working, ha! I'm tempted to leave the gas and electric on at the same time but don't know it that's a no-no? I just don't like cold showers!

[wingnut60]

If elec side not working, no point is leaving it on. Use the propane til you can get it fixed. No, won't hurt to have both on, but not much point if elec not working. I use both when expecting to use a lot of how water in a short time period. At the age of your unit, have you pulled the anode rod and checked to see if it is still there and not used up?
I had to replace the anode on my '05 after about 8 years.

[oldbird]

Hi Joe, the electric is working now but it had quit that one night and we had cold water the next morning. I don't know if my messing around with it got it working again or what? I do have both on when my wife is doing laundry or a bunch of guests come over but to leave them both on all the time is what I was wondering about. Yes on the anode rod, replaced it two years ago.

[wingnut60]

I probably already mentioned this, but had an '05 36TK3 for 10 years--very durable unit. Can't beat 100gal fresh water with a 12gal water heater...

[Traveling Home]

Do you have a switch outside in the enclosure? If so replace the switch. The do go bad over time and can cause the symptoms you wrote. It should be a little rocker switch usually tucked away on a side.

[Cummins12V98]

Wife always turns the gas on with electric since she takes a LONNNNGGGG shower!

[oldbird]

Do you have a switch outside in the enclosure? If so replace the switch. The do go bad over time and can cause the symptoms you wrote. It should be a little rocker switch usually tucked away on a side.

Yes, I have that on off switch you mention. The electric seems to be working OK now but not as good as it did, I don't think. Now I'm thinking of changing that thermo-high limit switch out. I have a spare somewhere down below lol. My gut feeling is the thermo switch isn't kicking the E element on like it should, its waiting to long letting the water cool down to much. I'll keep that on-off switch in mind, Thanks for the input.

Wife always turns the gas on with electric since she takes a LONNNNGGGG shower!

ha-ha! That sounds like someone I know Ron!

[porthole]

That outside switch is a weak link.
And to add to the others, no issue running electric and gas at the same time. I seldom do it but will after long run days if we need hot water right away.

[MTK46]

Like others have said not a problem to run electric & propane at same time. Have done it on many different RVs we've had with no problem.

[oldbird]

That outside switch is a weak link.
And to add to the others, no issue running electric and gas at the same time. I seldom do it but will after long run days if we need hot water right away.

Does that switch just pop out the front without taking everything apart?

Like others have said not a problem to run electric & propane at same time. Have done it on many different RVs we've had with no problem.

Thanks, in the last few days before my wife gets into the shower she flips on the gas and when I get in the shower I have lots of hot water. BUT, this hasn't been true in the past, we never turned on the gas and there was plenty of hot water?

[porthole]

Does that switch just pop out the front without taking everything apart?



Shut the breaker off. Hot wire surrounded by metal.

Switch should be able to be popped out, might have to encourage with a small thin screw driver to push the tabs in.

[oldbird]

Shut the breaker off. Hot wire surrounded by metal.

Switch should be able to be popped out, might have to encourage with a small thin screw driver to push the tabs in.

Thanks Duane, I appreciate it!

[bwaites]

That switch is a weak link, definitely. I replaced everything else, thinking that the switch couldn’t possibly be the issue....I mean, its a simple switch! Nothing worked, swapped the switch, voila!! I actually wondered if I shouldn’t just solder everything together....But I didn’t.

[oldbird]

Thanks bwaites, I might just solder it and heat shrink it together.