Having trouble getting the electric water heater to work

[bocotim]

I have a new gas/electric dual source water heater in a 2015 Camplite 11FK trailer.  It was replaced last October because of a pinhole leak by a reputable shop and immediately winterized. 

Long story short, I have not had a chance to test out the water heater until this past weekend when I de-winterized for the 2016 camping season.   Unfortunately, it appears it is not working when using the electric source.  It does, however, work on propane.

Electric power works elsewhere in the trailer (lights, AC, TV, etc.).

None of the breakers in the circuit panel are tripped.

  I made sure the water heater was filled.

I turned on both switches to the water heater (the rocker switch located outside on the heater itself, and the other light-switch-style, which is located inside near the sink). When I flip on the interior switch, the switch lights up red and stays that way, but no hot water is produced.  I am not certain, but I seem to remember that when I used it last year the red light would come on for only a few seconds and then go off (or maybe that was the control for the gas operation, I don't remember).

I also tried pressing the 2 reset buttons on the water heater to no effect.

Anyway, just wondering if there is something else I should try or look for, or is it time to head back to the repair shop?  Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[charliem]

[font size="3"]First guess is the shop forgot to reconnect the 120 Volt lines. The red light coming on shows the circuit breaker is OK. If you're comfortable with electricity you could remove the three screws, remove the small black cover, and check for 120 VAC on the electric element. Or look around the back of the WH for a disconnected white or black wire. You might have to look inside the 120 V.A.C. junction box shown in fig 6:
 
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The momentary red light you remember is on the propane switch for the WH.
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[bocotim]

Just to follow up regarding the issue of my dual source water heater not working in electric mode:  I did my best to check all the connections as suggested above, but I couldn't find any issues, so I took it in for service.  I just received a call back, and they said everything looks fine.  They said it takes 45 minutes for the water to heat up in electric mode, and that they measured the water temperature at 135 degrees.

My recollection is that the gas source heats up *much* more quickly than 45 minutes, so I was expecting something similar with electric.  Also, when I tested it at home in electric mode, I was expecting to hear *something* when the electric element was working (sizzling, or humming), but it was silent as far as I could tell, and I had my ear right up to the water heater.

Anyway, I will try it again when I get home, but I am curious what others have experienced when using the electric mode on a dual source water heater (Suburban SW6DE).    Any detectable noises?   How long does it take to get hot water?

Thanks.
 

[charliem]

Some of my testing with the SW6DE:

[font size="3"]I measured the recovery time for my WH. [/font][font size="3"]The gas burner transfers about 50% more [/font][font size="3"]heat [/font][font size="3"]than the electric element so recovery time [/font][font size="3"]with electric alone will be somewhat longer.
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[/font][font size="3"]I'll quote from my RPOD forum post:

Electric only recovery: 35 minutes
Gas plus electric recovery: 14 minutes

This was measured with 77 degree F cold water input and a resulting hot water temperature of 131F. The gas only recovery time was not measured, but would be around 23 minutes. Note that recovery time is dependent on many factors including cold water input temperature, how much warm water is left in the heater when you start recovering and, secondarily, the outside air temperature.

One of the benefits of the dual mode heater is reduced recovery time when both sides are running.

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[bocotim]

Thank you for this information!   I suspected the gas burner would work more quickly, but I didn't realize it would be that much faster than the electric mode.  I will be picking up the trailer either later today or early tomorrow.  I will give the electric water heater another try when I get it home.  Thanks again - I really appreciate the input.  - Tim

[bocotim]

Feeling a little embarrassed at my lack of knowledge about electric water heaters.   I got the trailer home from the shop and sure enough, I just wasn't waiting long enough for the water to heat up.   Took about a half hour or more in electric mode.  I was expecting it to heat up much more quickly, based on my past experience with a gas water heater.   Well, that was an expensive lesson:  $152 for labor and shop supplies to tell me nothing was wrong.  Live and learn.  Hope this experience helps someone else.

[lynchmtn]

Thanks bocotim for that story.  You just saved me $100 ++  with exactly the same issue.  I can't wait now to go hook up my 14DB to power again and wait patiently after turning on that switch. I hope to have the same outcome.