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Old 07-29-2013, 09:29 AM   #1
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Water Heater Element

Hey guys, I left the house this morning and forgot to check on the part number to replace the water heater element. I can get Camco replacement ones here I think. Anyone know which one I need off hand? And yes, I burnt it out, my fault. Rookie mistake for sure, but thankfully easy to replace!
My home is in the boonies but my office is in the city so was hoping to pick one up today........

James
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Old 07-29-2013, 09:31 AM   #2
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Try this post from KyDan for the Suburban water heater element:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ent-39334.html

According to Home Depot's site from Dan's post, it's a Camco #15896
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Old 07-29-2013, 09:44 AM   #3
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I must add that the 1500 watt element is not correct for the Suburban 6 gallon water heater. That water heater gets a 1000 watt 120 volt element.

While you might think that 1500 watts is "better", the wiring may not be heavy enough to carry that load.
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Old 07-29-2013, 10:12 AM   #4
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Originally Posted by herk7769 View Post

While you might think that 1500 watts is "better", the wiring may not be heavy enough to carry that load.
Herk, wouldn't that be taken care of by the circuit breaker? I'm talking about the safety aspect of it. Obviously, if the wiring IS to light and the CB trips, you've bought to high of a wattage.

I replaced mine recently and went up a bit on the wattage (1200 to 1500, something like that). The new element was physically longer, but fit the tank just fine. Of course I bought a 120 V unit.

Boowho??
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Old 07-29-2013, 10:20 AM   #5
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Originally Posted by herk7769 View Post
I must add that the 1500 watt element is not correct for the Suburban 6 gallon water heater. That water heater gets a 1000 watt 120 volt element.

While you might think that 1500 watts is "better", the wiring may not be heavy enough to carry that load.
Good observation there, Lou. That would make it a Camco #02103 according to Camco's website.

Item
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Old 07-29-2013, 10:42 AM   #6
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....thanks guys. For the non Berkshire owners it is a Suburban 10 gallon.
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Old 07-29-2013, 10:43 AM   #7
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Herk, wouldn't that be taken care of by the circuit breaker? I'm talking about the safety aspect of it. Obviously, if the wiring IS to light and the CB trips, you've bought to high of a wattage.

I replaced mine recently and went up a bit on the wattage (1200 to 1500, something like that). The new element was physically longer, but fit the tank just fine. Of course I bought a 120 V unit.

Boowho??

You have the part number handy Bill?
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Old 07-29-2013, 12:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boowho View Post
Herk, wouldn't that be taken care of by the circuit breaker? I'm talking about the safety aspect of it. Obviously, if the wiring IS to light and the CB trips, you've bought to high of a wattage.

I replaced mine recently and went up a bit on the wattage (1200 to 1500, something like that). The new element was physically longer, but fit the tank just fine. Of course I bought a 120 V unit.

Boowho??
You would think so.
I was concerned about the "size of the wiring" comment in the note.
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Old 07-29-2013, 07:37 PM   #9
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You have the part number handy Bill?
Sorry, I do not SM. I'm pretty sure it was a Camco that I got at an Ace Hardware in Sturgis, SD.

I took out the old element, stuck a broom stick in the hole to measure the depth, then went to Ace and picked out the 110V one that I knew would fit.

As far as the wattage, since there's a 15 AMP circuit breaker then 1800 watts (15 AMPS x 120 VOLTS) would be the biggest allowable without tripping the CB.

Just make sure that you have the physical size right, that it's 110 V (not 220) and the wattage is below 1800 watts. I'd pick something in the 12-15 hundred watt range.

It's really pretty generic, as far as I can tell. The funny part for me is that the failed element wasn't "open" as you'd think; instead it was shorted, causing it to trip the CB constantly.

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Old 07-29-2013, 08:00 PM   #10
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They fail spectacularly when the anode is removed and the power gets turned on. I am told that sparks shoot out of the hole.
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Old 07-30-2013, 10:50 AM   #11
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They fail spectacularly when the anode is removed and the power gets turned on. I am told that sparks shoot out of the hole.
Jeeez, Herk..... You KEEP old burned elements??

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Old 07-30-2013, 06:38 PM   #12
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Jeeez, Herk..... You KEEP old burned elements??

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