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  1. #1
    Fireside Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2020
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    Adirondacks, NY
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    Momentum 25G Suburban Electric Hot Water Heater Intermittent

    The hot water heater works great on propane, but

    If I'm on shore power and switch on the electric water heater in the morning it works.
    Shut it off, come back at the end of the day and no light on switch and no electric hot water.
    Through out the week, it's a crap shoot whether or not it works. Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
    Sometimes the blue switch light comes on dim, but heater doesn't work.
    When it doesn't work, I switch to propane and it works fine.

    I have troubleshot it from what I can access.
    There are no loose connections on the switch panel.
    When the switch is turned on and not lit, there is power to the element.
    The element is good, the thermostat is not tripped.

    Any RV electricians familiar with Suburban heaters? Any help appreciated.
    I'm an electrician with the right tools. I just don't know where anything is located.
    I called GD tech support their response was gee that's a new one on me.
    You should probably call a mobile mechanic to check it out... well duh!

    I'll be boon-docking all next week, so I doubt I'll find one till I get back to civilization.

  2. #2
    Long Hauler
    Join Date
    Jul 2021
    Location
    Platte City, MO
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    Have you pulled the element and physically checked it? Our Suburban worked intermittently, and sometimes only got the water warm. The element was cracked, and a new element cured the issues.
    Howard and Peggy
    2019 Momentum 351M, and 2018 RAM Cummins dually 6-speed.
    His: 1999 Honda Interceptor
    Hers: 2013 Spyder ST-S

  3. #3
    Fireside Member
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    Oct 2020
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    Adirondacks, NY
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    I have not. It had 120V in and out, read 10 ohms un-powered, so it seemed OK.
    There's supposed to be a relay in the circuit somewhere. Maybe there is a loose connection there.
    If I can find the relay and access it easily.
    They use those new quick connectors now ( the worst thing ever invented) instead of wire nuts.

    Good idea though. Have nothing but time on my hands in the boonies. I'll check that.

  4. #4
    Fireside Member
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    Oct 2020
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    Adirondacks, NY
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    Just wanted to update my findings...

    I did a lot of research, but I didn't attempt to fix the electric side of the water heater yet. Being on a long trip, I didn't want to take the chance of messing things up with no RV dealers within hours of my camping.
    After returning from my trip yesterday, it was 25 degrees, and I decided to winterize before everything froze. I took off an access panel to get to the heater bypass valves and saw this control box flopping around in there not attached to anything. It was partially unplugged. Of course I found it on the side after I winterized. It appears to be the control module for the heater that sends the signal to the electric relay side of the heater. Every other component checked out OK. If I get a few days above freezing, I'll filler up and see if that fixed it. Either way, I cant believe it was just laying there.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    2021 Momentum 25G - 2018 Ram 2500 6.4L Gas - 2009 Honda VTX 1300T
    Jack of all trades and master of one :)

  5. #5
    Fireside Member
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    Oct 2020
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    Adirondacks, NY
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    I re-seated the module connector and now have power at the heating element.
    (I disconnected the leads from the element to not burn it out.)
    If I get motivated and the weather gets above freezing, I might filler up and test it.
    Otherwise a field test has to wait until spring.

    I'll call this done. Thanks for your help.
    2021 Momentum 25G - 2018 Ram 2500 6.4L Gas - 2009 Honda VTX 1300T
    Jack of all trades and master of one :)

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