Water Heater

[Falcon35]

My water heater works well on LP but not on electric.
The element test good and the switch at the heater also checks out fine as well as the breaker. So I think it must be the wire between the panel and the heater. Can anyone tell me the route of that wire from the panel to the heater. Do we have to pull the heater to get at it?

[fonzie]

Press the reset for the high limit....hope that's it. (Suberban water heater)

[Falcon35]

Originally Posted by fonzie

Press the reset for the high limit....hope that's it. (Suberban water heater)

Thank's
I have tried that but will try again.

[Herk7769]

This is a common complaint with the AC side of the water heater. Thankfully it is a very simple system to troubleshoot and repair.

The heater AC side plugs into a wall outlet near the water heater and goes directly to the ON/OFF switch. From there it goes to the hi-limit (top) bellows of the thermostat, through a connecting wire, to the low limit (set temperature - 140 degrees typically) bellows. then directly to the element then back to the plug.

Check for 110 volts at the bottom lug of the thermostat of a COLD water heater (with the AC switch on of course). If you have voltage there, the element is bad.

Remove the rubber cover that seals the thermostats (use Fonzie's picture) and examine the LEFT thermostat (black wires). If the wire that connects them is melted, is corroded, or the bellows, top or bottom, look bad, you will need to replace it. (Easy - just the 2 connectors and a nut).

eBay has them; just make sure you buy the one for AC. They are different.

If all looks good there, you may need to replace the element. Also within the capability of a handyman. Just make sure you buy the correct wattage AND 110 volts NOT 220 volts.

[Iggy]

FYI
On the Georgetown motorhomes they are hard wired to a circuit breaker. No plug-in.
Go to the electric panel and turn off then back on the circuit breakers.
It may have tripped but still looks like it is on.
By turning them off then on a gain it will reset any tripped ones.
Good Luck.

[Falcon35]

Originally Posted by Iggy

FYI
On the Georgetown motorhomes they are hard wired to a circuit breaker. No plug-in.
Go to the electric panel and turn off then back on the circuit breakers.
It may have tripped but still looks like it is on.
By turning them off then on a gain it will reset any tripped ones.
Good Luck.

Thank's but we checked the breaker and it is on and OK.
The little switch on water heater and the element also has been checked and they are good. The wire coming from the breaker is dead. What I'm trying to find out the route of that wire in case it has a break in it. It worked last summer but when we got south after new years it would only work on LP.

[fonzie]

Next step, I would take the high limits cover off as shown in Herk's post and see if links are burnt and check for voltage.

[Iggy]

Falcon35
I would first remove the cover of the electrical panel on the floor of the bedroom and check the circuit breaker as well as the wires being hot out of the circuit breaker before you proceed below.


In my 378TS coming off the breaker it travels into the bathroom along the raised section on the floor and into the bathroom cabinet in the bottom right. These pieces of paneling that covers the boxes are just tacked in place.

Now to check the connection at the water heater you must unscrew and remove the exterior trim outside. After this is done you must remove the large panel screws that are located outside underneath.
After this is done you can swing the panel up but not too much. I hold it up with a broom stick.
You will then see the wiring to the water heater.
Sorry no pictures.
This is a slow job and takes about an hour.
If you aren't ready or capable to do this the service department is your next bet.

[Falcon35]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Falcon35
I would first remove the cover of the electrical panel on the floor of the bedroom and check the circuit breaker as well as the wires being hot out of the circuit breaker before you proceed below.


In my 378TS coming off the breaker it travels into the bathroom along the raised section on the floor and into the bathroom cabinet in the bottom right. These pieces of paneling that covers the boxes are just tacked in place.

Now to check the connection at the water heater you must unscrew and remove the exterior trim outside. After this is done you must remove the large panel screws that are located outside underneath.
After this is done you can swing the panel up but not too much. I hold it up with a broom stick.
You will then see the wiring to the water heater.
Sorry no pictures.
This is a slow job and takes about an hour.
If you aren't ready or capable to do this the service department is your next bet.

Thank's Iggy
I was hoping you would see this as I thought you would be able to give me some advice. In the winter of 2012 Forest River had Lazy Days in Tucson put a support under the water heater and I did see that that panel swings up. The heater still worked after that.

[Falcon35]

Originally Posted by Falcon35

Thank's Iggy
I was hoping you would see this as I thought you would be able to give me some advice. In the winter of 2012 Forest River had Lazy Days in Tucson put a support under the water heater and I did see that that panel swings up. The heater still worked after that.

Thank's for the pictures that helps.

[Trempert]

Breakers do go bad. Have you tried swapping breakers or making sure you've got power coming out of the breaker when it's on?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Iggy

FYI
On the Georgetown motorhomes they are hard wired to a circuit breaker. No plug-in.
Go to the electric panel and turn off then back on the circuit breakers.
It may have tripped but still looks like it is on.
By turning them off then on a gain it will reset any tripped ones.
Good Luck.

Thanks for the update on the Georgetown.