Water heater

[Larry Tiner]

I'm trying to get my water heater to work. I had drained the water for winter. I flushed out the air and turned the elec. back on for the heater. Nothing! I changed the anode rod, but still nothing.
I'm now trying with the propane and it is heating.
The electrical switch doesn't throw a breaker and all other electrical items work.
Any suggestions?


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[Platokidd]

I had this problem last year. I went outside to heater access and wiggled the wires. For me it worked.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Larry Tiner

I flushed out the air and turned the elec. back on for the heater.

Did you make sure there was water inside the heater before turning on the electric heating element switch? If not, then you may have burned it up.

Also, any chance when you winterized, you may have also turned off the breaker to the electric heating element inside the breaker box.......or possibly unplugged it from the electrical outlet behind the heater and forgot about it?

And I know this may seem obvious, but you are plugged into a form of 120 volt shore power in order for the electric heating element to work since you stated other electrical items work which I assume you mean 120 volt stuff (television, microwave, electrical outlets)?

[Larry Tiner]

I wiggled the wires, but got nothing. Replaced the heating element --- Bingo! Thanks for y'all's help!


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[Flybob]

Be sure to turn off electric WH switch each time you break camp. That way if you plug in the RV to clean or prep for a trip, you do not apply power to the WH while it may be empty.

[Larry Tiner]

Have to remember that, FlyBob. Thanks!


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[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Larry Tiner

Have to remember that, FlyBob. Thanks!


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If you don't use checklists, then an easy way to remind yourself if you have a trailer.... is to take a clothespin and write water heater on it with a sharpie.

Whenever you turn on the electric switch, snap the clothespin on your trailer coupler. This way you can't hook up to your TV, without seeing the clothespin to remind you to turn off the switch.

You can also do clothespins for other things, like antenna, awning, steps, etc.

Or if that's just too low tech, you can buy these at this link:

http://www.rvminders.com/

[Dave Lyon]

FWIW, I only drain my water heater once a year; and that is when I winterize. Even if I left the switch on - the tank is full of water.

It is still a good practice to turn the switch off when packing up camp (which I do), but, at least with water in your heater, you won't burn out the element if the switch is left on.

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by Dave Lyon

FWIW, I only drain my water heater once a year; and that is when I winterize. Even if I left the switch on - the tank is full of water.

It is still a good practice to turn the switch off when packing up camp (which I do), but, at least with water in your heater, you won't burn out the element if the switch is left on.

Sorry- I should add to this, I'm on chlorinated City water, not well.