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06-26-2016, 10:08 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Jourdanton, Texas
Posts: 144
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Hot water tank throws breaker
During our recent camping trip, our water heater stopped working. When I checked it, I found it had thrown the breaker. I reset it, and it happened again.
I had changed the heating element before we headed out and thought it was working fine for about a week, then the issue arose.
Any suggestions on things I could try?
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06-26-2016, 10:11 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,924
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it sound like possibly the element is fried. Do you always make sure there is water inside the tank before turning on the electric element (or do you leave the electric switch on even when there is no water in the tank).
If so, then this will destroy the element.
Not knowing what brand water heater you have, the operation is somewhat similar when it comes to making sure there is water inside the tank before turning on the electric heating element. This thread may help:
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ore-36197.html
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06-26-2016, 10:55 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Jourdanton, Texas
Posts: 144
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Thanks, wmtire. I thought it was full. I'll replace it again and give it another fry, er, try.
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06-26-2016, 11:08 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Space Coast of Florida
Posts: 4,021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Larry Tiner
Thanks, wmtire. I thought it was full. I'll replace it again and give it another fry, er, try.
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LOL... 
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06-26-2016, 11:15 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 627
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I would get an ohm meter out and check the wiring for shorts to ground before repowering it. It is cheaper than getting another heating element if the one installed is still good.
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06-26-2016, 11:23 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Jourdanton, Texas
Posts: 144
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Excellent idea!
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06-26-2016, 12:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Space Coast of Florida
Posts: 4,021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Filthy Beast
I would get an ohm meter out and check the wiring for shorts to ground before repowering it. It is cheaper than getting another heating element if the one installed is still good.
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If you have an ohm meter check the element. If it is fried the circuit will open, if good probably in the 10-20 ohm range...
Disconnect all wires to the element before making measurement.
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2016 Siverback 33IK, Towed 50K+ mile
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L V8 Diesel 4WD Crew Cab
"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."
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06-27-2016, 08:25 AM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 26
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heating element
When you removed the heating element did it looked fried? if you don't have water in the tank it will almost burn it self in half. Check the old element for continuity and if its OK start checking down the line like the Beast said.
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06-27-2016, 08:44 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Jourdanton, Texas
Posts: 144
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Thanks. I haven't made it back to the RV yet.
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06-27-2016, 09:00 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dalford
If you have an ohm meter check the element. If it is fried the circuit will open, if good probably in the 10-20 ohm range...
Disconnect all wires to the element before making measurement.
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Actually, if the breaker is popping the element will show a dead short not an open.
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06-27-2016, 09:02 AM
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#11
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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A fried element will cause an open circuit and cannot trip a breaker.
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06-27-2016, 09:36 AM
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#12
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
A fried element will cause an open circuit and cannot trip a breaker.
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When I had one get fried it keep tripping circuit breaker. Later RJD
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06-27-2016, 09:37 AM
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#13
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,143
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmtire
Neil, it really depends on how the element opens up, if it's touching the side of the tank, how much the water conducts electricity, etc....as to if it trips the circuit breaker (which it definitely can)
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Correct.
I've seen several elements melt over its self where they were a dead short and tripped the breaker.
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06-27-2016, 09:45 AM
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#14
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Would check the wiring to the element before putting a new one in. Most burned out elements will open the circuit. The OP's fried element will show if it shorted against the tank which would be an extremely rare occurrence.
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06-27-2016, 09:49 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
A fried element will cause an open circuit and cannot trip a breaker.
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I was just pointing out that if the element is causing the CB to pop then it will ohm out shorted instead of an open as suggested by my referenced quote. The element is installed with a gasket and may not show a short to the tank itself if the electrical connections are isolated within the element. However; the element evendently can short across the hi and low connections when it blows and that is why the connections should be removed when checking it.
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06-27-2016, 10:06 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Space Coast of Florida
Posts: 4,021
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The OP did not say the breaker would not stay on but said 'it happened again'. I assumed he meant he reset the breaker and after some time it tripped again.
I don't know about the elements in RV tanks but I know for home water heaters you can buy different wattage elements. Is it possible the OP bought an element that was too high in wattage?
__________________
2016 Siverback 33IK, Towed 50K+ mile
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat 6.7L V8 Diesel 4WD Crew Cab
"If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there."
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