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11-02-2017, 09:31 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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Water heater burn smell
I am using my hot water heater with electricity only, tonight it smells like something burning, l can not pin point it, but its under the cabinet with water heater. I do not leave the water heater on all the time, but had it on most of the afternoon. There is no gas hooked up, i have unpluged it, but there are 3 wires going to the back of water heater i think goes to gas igniter but l am not sure, there is electricity there through the battery,the green /white goes to the fuse box on AC side, the white l think is ground, the yellow has current and l don't no where its feed from??? 
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11-02-2017, 09:44 PM
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#2
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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I can't help you identify the source as I called a mobile RV tech- but definitely make a point to find it. Hot burning smell = bad.
Here are wires from my water heater:
__________________
Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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11-02-2017, 09:52 PM
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#3
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Scoundrel
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Montrose, Colorado
Posts: 2,804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ependydad
I can't help you identify the source as I called a mobile RV tech- but definitely make a point to find it. Hot burning smell = bad.
Here are wires from my water heater:
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Yikes!
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2024 Geo Pro 15TB, 400W Solar, 2 Golf Cart batteries
2015 F-150 5.0L V8 XLT Crew Cab, 4x4, Tow Package, 36 gal tank, 3.55 locker, 1891 payload, Integrated Brake Controller, Roadmaster Active Suspension
Wooden Spoon Survivor
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11-02-2017, 10:04 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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You didn't say what model HWH you have. I've attached a service manual for the most common Suburban, and also a manual for an Atwood.
Both have wiring diagrams that may help you.
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2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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11-02-2017, 10:07 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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Suburban, thank you
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11-02-2017, 10:09 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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I have all electricity off, AC or DC ,there are three wall plugd under the same cabinet but the smell isn't coming from them.
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11-02-2017, 11:05 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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Have AC and DC power off to water heater
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11-03-2017, 03:06 AM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,933
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Your electric heating element runs ONLY off of 120 volt AC power. It will most likely have a power cord plugged into an outlet behind the water heater somewhere. This is one place to look for the cause of the burning smell.
Here is a pic that may help, that shows the 120 volt AC power cord just laying on the top of the tank. You can use it as a reference:
Another part that is bad about possibly burning is the electric element power switch on the face of the water heater. You have to pry it out of the housing to see if the lines/terminals on the backside of it are melted/burned. You can usually just stick a small flat-head screwdriver in at the top of the switch and push a tab down that lets you pull the switch out.
This is only a suggestion, and I'm not there to know exactly what/where it is that is burning, so I'm not at liberty to play with your safety. If you ascertain for sure it is something electrical with your water heater, you MAY (and I emphasize may) can just turn off the 120 volt AC circuit breaker to the water heater inside your RV's distribution panel...and still be able to camp until you can get it back home.
It will usually be a 15 amp circuit breaker like the one labeled below W/H
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 2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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11-03-2017, 07:34 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albany, GA.
Posts: 1,359
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I still get amazed at people who own a "hot" water heater
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11-03-2017, 08:12 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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Well I took the water heater out where l could give it a good inspection, the wires going the heating element were melting, started where it's plugged in to the element, where it was burnt worse and was starting to melt the wire. The water heater is 10 years old, so l have a new one coming should be here mid-week, l am going to update the electrical plug also,has a cheap plug that just crimps the wire.
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11-03-2017, 08:14 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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You went above and beyond to help, two thumbs up👍👍,thanks
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11-05-2017, 02:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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Suburban SW6DE burnt electrical element wire.  
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11-05-2017, 03:00 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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Both black wires on the right were starting to melt, the black wire top right of picture was the worse.
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11-08-2017, 02:44 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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11-08-2017, 02:45 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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New water heater is in, we got hit water.
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11-08-2017, 02:45 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cardwellmarty
New water heater is in, we got hit water.
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HOT
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11-08-2017, 02:58 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 967
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Shiny and new! Thanks for sharing the photos of your issue and congratulations on getting the problem solved.
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visit our website at www.restcure.ca
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11-08-2017, 03:15 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Alabama
Posts: 560
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Restcure
Shiny and new! Thanks for sharing the photos of your issue and congratulations on getting the problem solved.
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You're welcome.
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11-08-2017, 03:18 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,404
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cardwellmarty
HOT
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Well done, you took timely action and may have prevented a fire.
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2016 FR Forester 2401R
Towing 2014 Honda CR-V
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11-08-2017, 03:24 PM
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#20
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,144
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Good job. Thanks for reporting back!
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