No elec. water heater

[Larry Tiner]

Last spring, I burned my water heater element. I changed it out and refilled tank. When I turned elec. back on, it threw the breaker. I went ahead and changed the element again and turned electric back on. Nothing... I know the tank is full, and it works on propane. The breaker looks fine. I'm not sure how to check the fuse. Any leads, please?


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[wmtire]

Assuming you are talking about a Suburban brand water heater...A lot of times when you burn up the electric element, you also can burn up the fusible link on the hi-limit ECO/thermostat.

This is the part underneath the rubber covers that say reset. You have TWO of these, and the one on the left is to the electric heating element...while the one on the right is to the propane side

Here is a pic of the link being burned out, on the left..as you can see it visually as it goes from the top terminal to the bottom terminal. You'll have to replace it, if it's blown........ but you can also just push the reset button to see if the ECO has possibly tripped.

If you do have to replace, make sure you get the correct one to the 120 volt AC heating element.






This schematic shows how the single 120 volt AC hot wire is connected via the switch, thru the ECO/thermostat, then to the electric heating element.

[Larry Tiner]

Thank you for the tip.
This is what I found. Looks okay, I think. Pushed reset button, but didn't feel any 'give'.


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[Larry Tiner]

Also, my element has no screws on end to connect to, and no wires either.


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[Larry Tiner]

That on/off switch --- is 'on' when the 'on' end is pushed in, or when it is out?


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[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Larry Tiner

Also, my element has no screws on end to connect to, and no wires either.


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Larry, I have a feeling you replaced the anode rod, and not the electric heating element.

[bob caldwell]

On is in...

[wmtire]

Here is how to replace the electric heating element. It would make sense if you replaced the anode rod (which is a different thing), why the circuit breaker tripped as the electric element is still shorted since it has not been replaced.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...d-r-50292.html

[5picker]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Larry, I have a feeling you replaced the anode rod, and not the electric heating element.

I agree.
An electric heating element can't heat unless connected by wires.

[wmtire]

Here is a pic with the electric element on the left removed (note the two wires that connect to it). You usually have to remove the gas flue in front of the access cover to the electric heating element to gain access to it. It's explained in the link I posted previously above this.

The anode rod, is also shown removed in the pic below, but it is the hole to the right. You can replace the sacrificial anode rod, without removing a cover or propane lines/etc.




This is the anode rod. The anode rod is a sacrificial part of the water heater that deteriorates instead of the steel tank rusting out. It is to be replaced periodically, as it wears out. You also remove the anode rod to drain the tank.




This is the electric heating element:

[Larry Tiner]

Showing my ignorance... You are correct. I changed the anode rod.
It's raining right now, so I'll check the heating element when it stops. Thanks!


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[bob213]

You will need an elec. element socket(wrench) available at home depot or lowes for about $5. They should have a compatible element also. Our Ace carries Camco elements.

[Larry Tiner]

The electric side started working again, but for about 3-4 hours. Then, it threw the breaker (also the breaker at the campground). Very weird...
Still raining, so I've switched back to propane for now.


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[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Larry, I have a feeling you replaced the anode rod, and not the electric heating element.

Great Catch wmtire !!!

[Larry Tiner]

Okay, I got almost through putting in the heating element, and it started pouring rain again. I'll update once things will dry out a bit.


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[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Larry Tiner

Okay, I got almost through putting in the heating element, and it started pouring rain again. I'll update once things will dry out a bit.


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Larry did your verify the element was bad beforehand?

[Larry Tiner]

No, wmtire. This is what it looked like when I took it out. I don't have any of the gadgets to test out electric 'stuff'.


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[Larry Tiner]

My eyes/memory aren't as good as they should be. Can't remember if this is how I unhooked the wires. Before I turn power back on, what do y'all think?


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[wmtire]

Originally Posted by Larry Tiner

My eyes/memory aren't as good as they should be. Can't remember if this is how I unhooked the wires. Before I turn power back on, what do y'all think?Attachment 117600


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Let me try to find another pic to compare. Larry, since you are using your phone to take pics, it's too easy not to use it to also take a pic of something before you mechanic on it, so you have a reference to go back on.

I've gotten to the point, where I use my phone to take all kind of pics, before I start doing mechanic work on stuff. Has saved my bacon many times.

[wmtire]

Here's one from the web, as yours seems to be the same wiring.