Suburban 525045 Pressure & Temperature Relief Valve – 3/4" NPT

The Suburban 525045 Pressure and Temperature Relief Valve is the OEM replacement safety valve used on Suburban RV tank water heaters. This valve is designed to automatically relieve excessive tank pressure or temperature before unsafe conditions can develop.

The 525045 installs directly into the water heater tank using a 3/4-inch male NPT connection and is used across a wide range of Suburban SW- and V-Series water heaters.

Fits Suburban RV Water Heaters

Suburban 525045 is used on many Suburban tank-style water heaters, including models in the:

• SW4 Series

• SW6 Series

• SW10 Series

• SW12 Series

• SW16 Series

• V / VE Series

This includes gas-only and gas/electric configurations where a standard 3/4-inch pressure and temperature relief valve is used.

Suburban parts breakdowns list 525045 on models including the SW6P, SW6DEC, SW16V, and many other SW-Series water heaters.

Replaces Suburban 161157

The Suburban 525045 is the current replacement for earlier Suburban pressure relief valve part number:

• 161157

If your existing Suburban water heater uses 161157, the 525045 is the current OEM replacement.

What the Relief Valve Does

The pressure and temperature relief valve is a critical safety component.

It is designed to open automatically if water heater pressure or temperature exceeds its rated limits:

• Pressure Rating: 150 PSI

• Temperature Rating: 210°F

When either threshold is reached, the valve opens and allows hot water or steam to escape, helping prevent dangerous pressure buildup inside the tank.

Common Signs the Relief Valve May Need Replacement

Replace or inspect the 525045 if:

• Water continuously drips or leaks from the valve

• The valve will not reseat after being opened

• The lever is seized or difficult to operate

• Corrosion or mineral buildup is visible

• The threaded body is damaged

• The valve shows signs of leakage around the stem

• The valve fails an annual manual test

Some occasional dripping during heating can result from normal thermal expansion, so persistent leakage should be diagnosed before replacing the valve.

Installation

Estimated Installation Time: 15–30 minutes

Tools Typically Needed

• Adjustable wrench or appropriate open-end wrench

• PTFE thread tape or approved pipe-thread sealant

• Towels or drain pan

Before replacing the valve:

1. Turn off both LP gas and electric heating sources.

2. Allow the water heater to cool completely.

3. Shut off the water supply.

4. Relieve pressure from the plumbing system.

5. Drain the tank below the relief-valve level.

6. Remove the old valve.

7. Apply approved thread sealant to the new valve.

8. Install the 525045 securely without overtightening.

9. Refill the tank and inspect carefully for leaks.

Because the valve protects against excessive pressure and temperature, installation should be performed correctly and the valve should never be plugged, capped, or disabled.

Product Details

Manufacturer: Suburban / Airxcel
Part Number: 525045
Previous Part Number: 161157
Part Type: Pressure & Temperature Relief Valve
Connection: 3/4" Male NPT
Pressure Rating: 150 PSI
Temperature Rating: 210°F
Application: Suburban SW- and V-Series Tank Water Heaters
OEM Replacement: Yes

Important Safety Note

The Suburban 525045 is a safety device and should always remain operational. Never install a plug or cap in place of the pressure relief valve.

If the existing valve is leaking continuously, also verify that the water heater is not experiencing excessive system pressure or abnormal thermal expansion before assuming the valve itself has failed.