Water Heater Element Replacement

[Geri]

Our water heater electric element failed on our new 2690SF. On the trip we found from the forum that we’d done it to ourselves by not realizing that the ‘water heater’ switch only controlled the ‘gas’ side of the operation. It was recommended that we leave it until we got home. Good advice, but we are now home. The element is bad having a resistance of about 3000 ohms. I would guess it should be closer to 12 or so ohms. It appears that the water heater designer had a warped sense of humor in that one of the element cover screws is virtually inaccessible, the element seems to need about an 1 ½ inch socket, but allows no clearance to apply it, and the instructions lead one into burning out the element by describing how to turn on the gas burner, finishing with “turn on the electric switch”. Anybody know how to get the element out without disassembling the whole front of the heater?

[NO3putt]

We went to a plumbing supply place, not lowes or home depot and they had a "shower wrench" for about $5 that is made for them, also found out they sold the elements also at about 1/3 the cost of the local RV dealer. Could not find one at any of the big box stores or even the RV dealer.

[Geri]

Thanks NO3putt. Did you have to take all of the gas plumbing out from in front of it to remove it?

[NO3putt]

Yes, but pretty simple to do.

[bclemens]

My home water heater is "powered exhaust". For the life of me I could not find the element. From the parts break out, it appears that the element...is...right...under...the exhaust fan.

So I'd have to disconnect the fan AND the PVC pipe that acts as the exhaust flue. needless to say its been 7 years and I have yet to check the anode rod.