Suburban 090681 Electric Element Cover with Gasket – SW Series Water Heaters

The Suburban 090681 Electric Element Cover with Gasket is the OEM replacement cover used to protect the 120-volt electric heating element and electrical connections on compatible Suburban RV water heaters.

Mounted over the electric element compartment, this cover helps shield the heating element terminals and wiring from dirt, moisture, and accidental contact. The 090681 includes the cover and sealing gasket for proper installation.

Fits Suburban RV Water Heaters

Suburban lists the 090681 element cover with gasket for compatible electric-equipped SW-Series water heaters, including:

• SW6DE

• SW6DEL

• SW6DEM

• SW10DE

• SW10DEL

• SW10DEM

• SW12DE

• SW12DEL

• SW12DEM

• SW16DE

• SW16DEL

• SW16DEM

• SW16VE

It is used on water heaters equipped with a serviceable 120-volt electric heating element.

Replaces Suburban 090445

The Suburban 090681 supersedes previous Suburban part number 090445, making it the current replacement element cover assembly for applicable models.

What's Included

• Electric heating element cover

• Element cover gasket

The gasket is also available separately as Suburban 070988 on applicable models.

Common Reasons to Replace the Element Cover

Replace the 090681 if the original cover is:

• Missing

• Cracked or broken

• Warped or damaged

• No longer sealing properly

• Damaged during heating-element service

• Allowing moisture or debris into the element compartment

A missing or damaged cover can leave the 120-volt electrical connections at the heating element exposed.

Installation

Estimated Installation Time: 5–15 minutes

Before servicing the electric element area:

1. Disconnect the RV from shore power.

2. Turn off the water heater's 120-volt electric circuit.

3. Verify that power is disconnected before accessing the element terminals.

4. Remove the damaged element cover and gasket.

5. Inspect the element wiring and terminals for signs of heat damage or corrosion.

6. Install the new gasket and cover securely.

Because this cover protects a 120-volt AC electrical connection, power should always be disconnected before removing or installing it.

Product Details

Manufacturer: Suburban / Airxcel
Part Number: 090681
Previous Part Number: 090445
Part Type: Electric Heating Element Cover with Gasket
Application: Suburban SW-Series RV Water Heaters
Location: Exterior electric heating element compartment
Includes: Cover and gasket
OEM Replacement: Yes

Important Fitment Note

The 090681 is the complete element cover and gasket assembly. It should not be confused with:

• 070988 – Element cover gasket only

• 070805 – Heating element gasket, which seals the screw-in heating element to the water heater tank

• 520900 – Electric heating element used on many later Suburban models

If the exterior cover over your Suburban water heater's electric element is damaged or missing, the Suburban 090681provides the correct OEM cover-and-gasket replacement for the compatible models listed above.