Water not getting hot or warm

[danford49]

On my 2016 coachman catalina Fb 223 we purchased this unit used, and on our first trip using it we found out about the water would not get warm or hot when we turn on the switch for the water heater the water is cold, what could be the problem

 

[Scott 3]

Open up the access door outside and look for a tiny on/off switch.

Check the bypass valves at the hot water tank.

Make sure the circuit breaker is not popped.

There are other steps but these are good places to start.

 

[Rene T]

We need the make and model of the water heater before we can help you

 

[Larry N.]

Are you trying to run it on electric or on propane or both?

 

[WILDEBILL308]

Welcome to the forum. Yes need a little more info. There is (on some) a small 5 amp fuse on the control board. Does the propane light? Is it a combination propane electric? If electric are you pugged into shore power? Do you have 12V power to the circuit board? You need good 12V power. Does your stove light?
Bill

 

[danford49]

Are you trying to run it on electric or on propane or both?

electric

 

[danford49]

Welcome to the forum. Yes need a little more info. There is (on some) a small 5 amp fuse on the control board. Does the propane light? Is it a combination propane electric? If electric are you pugged into shore power? Do you have 12V power to the circuit board? You need good 12V power. Does your stove light?
Bill

it is either electric or propane

 

[_Rusty_]

We need the make and model of the water heater before we can help you

We NEED the make and model of the water heater before we can , you know...

 

[WILDEBILL308]

Ok you are trying to run it on electric, right? Is it pugged in to the RV? Are you on shore power or generator?
Lets try propane, make shure you have propane and there is no air in the line(try lighting the stove). Has it (the water heater) ever run?
Bill

 

[danford49]

I went and look at the switch for my water heater and it had the letter HSI what does that mean?

 

[Kirk]

it had the letter HSI what does that mean?

It would help us a great deal if you would tell us what brand your water heater is? There are 2 commonly used brands of RV water heater, Atwood and Suburban. Each of them produce several different models of water heater that use different switches. Also, there are companies that make kits to add electric heaters to RV water heaters that didn't have one as installed into the RV. As a result there is a wide range of possible switches that could be in your RV. A picture of the switch could point us in the right direction.

 

[gwinger]

Hopefully the water heater is not in bypass. You will have to check the valves on the rear of the tank. If it was in bypass and you turned on the switch for electric, there's a good chance you burnt out the heating element.

 

[WILDEBILL308]

As you seam to have a hard time answering simple questions I can't help you. Good luck.
Bill

 

[danford49]

As you seam to have a hard time answering simple questions I can't help you. Good luck.
Bill

what you, seam to think is a simple question, maybe hard to other, not everyone may be as smart as you wildebill so if you don't have the time to help, don't

 

[danford49]

It would help us a great deal if you would tell us what brand your water heater is? There are 2 commonly used brands of RV water heater, Atwood and Suburban. Each of them produce several different models of water heater that use different switches. Also, there are companies that make kits to add electric heaters to RV water heaters that didn't have one as installed into the RV. As a result there is a wide range of possible switches that could be in your RV. A picture of the switch could point us in the right direction.

I have the Subrban water heater and the sw6 de

 

[danford49]

I have the suburban water heater sw6 de

 

[NY_Dutch]

I have the suburban water heater sw6 de

On the inside of the trailer, there's an access point for the rear of the water heater. It may be inside a cabinet or you may need to remove a drawer or blank panel to find the winter bypass valve(s) at the back of the heater. Once you find it, let us know how many valves there are so we can advise you which way they should be set for normal operation.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Simple things first...

1. The Suburban heater may be in winter bypass mode, where the water is routed around the heater rather than thru it. There is likely a water valve behind the heater, accessed from inside the RV, perhaps behind a drawer or wall panel of some sort. Make sure this valve is in the use position, sending water into the heater rather than around it.
2. The On/Off switch on the Suburban heater itself may be Off. It is on the outside of the heater and access by opening the outer door.
3. There is a thermostat breaker/reset button on the heater that may be tripped. It too is accessed from the outside. Push the reset button to be sure.
4. If you don't have a manual for it, get one at https://olivertraveltrailers.com/wp...r_Heater/Suburban_Gas_Water_Heater_Manual.pdf

 

[danford49]

Simple things first...

1. The Suburban heater may be in winter bypass mode, where the water is routed around the heater rather than thru it. There is likely a water valve behind the heater, accessed from inside the RV, perhaps behind a drawer or wall panel of some sort. Make sure this valve is in the use position, sending water into the heater rather than around it.
2. The On/Off switch on the Suburban heater itself may be Off. It is on the outside of the heater and access by opening the outer door.
3. There is a thermostat breaker/reset button on the heater that may be tripped. It too is accessed from the outside. Push the reset button to be sure.
4. If you don't have a manual for it, get one at https://olivertraveltrailers.com/wp...r_Heater/Suburban_Gas_Water_Heater_Manual.pdf

thanks i will check this out.

 

[Rene T]

I saw one RV where access was from the inside of one of the storage compartments and another one was accessed by removing a portable plate under the water heater accessed from under the RV. A real pain.