Water heater not working.

BoatDude · 07-21-2014, 07:21 PM

When I flipped the switch on our water heat to run it on electric. ...we have no hot water. It worked a couple days as we were at our seasonal site then. I checked the breaker and pressed the outside black rubber reset buttons. But nothing. Did it just die on us? 2013 CC 36 ckts . I have not tried to start on gas. Any suggestions?

Hutch333id · 07-21-2014, 07:27 PM

If you let water out of the HW tank but still had it switched to electric heating, then next time you plugged into shore power the heating element would have burnt itself out within a few second on an empty tank. I know because I did exactly this when I got my last TT and nobody had explained how to use the electric only switch. I had to replace the element which was fairly straight forward.

Richard & Diane
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2014 26 nights and 3120km

LouNick · 07-21-2014, 08:04 PM

I knew better and still fried my heater element by mistake. It's so easy to forget to switch that thing off. $15 for a new element and another $7 for the tool to remove and replace it. Hopefully I'll never need that tool again.

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Lou and Paula

2014 Rockwood 8289WS UltraLite w/Revolution Pinbox Engaged.

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BamaBob · 07-21-2014, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoatDude

When I flipped the switch on our water heat to run it on electric. ...we have no hot water. It worked a couple days as we were at our seasonal site then. I checked the breaker and pressed the outside black rubber reset buttons. But nothing. Did it just die on us? 2013 CC 36 ckts . I have not tried to start on gas. Any suggestions?

Try Gas if yes, you have a fried anode

LouNick · 07-22-2014, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HSVBamaBob

Try Gas if yes, you have a fried anode

Anode? Auto spell check get you? I'm pretty sure you meant element, right?

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Lou and Paula

2014 Rockwood 8289WS UltraLite w/Revolution Pinbox Engaged.

2011 F250 Power Stroke Super Duty King Ranch Super Crew Cab w/Reese 16K Hitch

BigJohnD · 07-22-2014, 05:48 PM

Second of 2 reasons I relocated the switch to the hallway next to the bath door. First was just for convenience. Very easy mod beings that the recepticle that the WH is plugged into is on its own breaker.

BoatDude · 07-22-2014, 07:18 PM

Was forced to try and run it for the first time on gas. It work very easily.

The water heater was not empty from just a couple days while we were away. We think something must be wrong with it on electric. Maybe that outside switch or something. I'll bring a electrical meter next trip and do to power checks. Hard to believe it went bad after one season.

Orion · 07-22-2014, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoatDude

Was forced to try and run it for the first time on gas. It work very easily.

The water heater was not empty from just a couple days while we were away. We think something must be wrong with it on electric. Maybe that outside switch or something. I'll bring a electrical meter next trip and do to power checks. Hard to believe it went bad after one season.

One season indeed. I think I am in the same situation. Last time out in NM I got no hot water on electric even after about 45 minutes. Element appears fine, limit switches appear fine. On gas works fine. We hope to take the genie up sometime this week to prep for the next trip and I'm going to get the meter out.

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BBBlue · 07-22-2014, 07:35 PM

Had this issue today. Wife went to use the shower and there was no hot water. The first thing I did was to check the circuit breaker (marked WH) and found it on. I then check both inline and mini fuse on the water heater circuit board and both were good. Switched over to propane and it fired up and started to heat the water. I then turned off the switch for the propane mode so that I could continue troubleshooting the electrical mode. Took off two wall panels so that I could access the water heater from the rear to check the relay. I had wifey toggle the on/off button for the electric and could hear the relay toggling. I then broke out the multimeter and check (carefully) the voltage to the element and found it to be zero. I check the relay and had 12v. this eliminated the element. I drank one more cup of joe and decided to relook at the circuit breaker panel. I notice that the breakers marked washer and dryer were off. I don't have a washer or dryer installed and did not remember shutting off those breakers. I placed both in the on position and went back to check the voltage to the element...meter read 120v. All that work and it was a mislabeled breaker. The only good thing about this was that I now know that system like the back of my hand for the future. Not a good start to my 30 day Va Beach vacation. Did manage to take a dip and get in some sun. While I did have the propane mode, I rather use the electric that is included in the site fee.

**Herk7769** · 07-22-2014, 07:38 PM

The AC is the easiest side of water heater to troubleshoot.

Problem areas:

1) Circuit Breaker in Panel tripped?
2) Duplex Outlet bad (loose wires, corroded plug, corroded socket)
3) Switch on outside of water heater corroded/broken?
4) High Limit switch open (reset by pressing on it)
5) Thermostat (on left as you look at it) blown, broken, corroded (see photos)
6) Heating element bad (burned up, shorted out, corroded)
7) Bad Neutral wire connection

Sterlingsilver · 07-23-2014, 10:24 AM

Its not unusual to find an open wire connection to the heater. Poor connections and/or wire crimps from the factory that pull apart on the road. I have camped with several families who said that the heater never worked on ac. I made new friends in minutes with a crimping tool.

BoatDude · 07-23-2014, 10:32 AM

I hope its something that simple. Ours has never moved from our seasonal yet.

Is there anyway to turn down the water temp on the gas WH? The wife says it's to hot on the gas operation. The AC was just right. Never fouled with this WH before.

Sterlingsilver · 07-23-2014, 10:59 AM

The temp is set by a fixed sensor. Its probably 140. This makes sure there is enough hot water available from a small tank. Everyone complains its too hot.

jsk · 07-26-2014, 05:25 AM

BoatDude - did you find the problem? I am curious because our last few trips mine would work for 1-2 days on AC and then quit. Replacing the element fixes it. Gas works fine.

**Herk7769** · 07-26-2014, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsk

BoatDude - did you find the problem? I am curious because our last few trips mine would work for 1-2 days on AC and then quit. Replacing the element fixes it. Gas works fine.

Going through elements is not normal.

Is your voltage too high? - Incorrect voltage can damage the element.

Is your water supply constant? Letting the water heater empty with the element on will burn it up.

Do you have acid well water? How is your anode?

OldCoot · 07-26-2014, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoatDude

I hope its something that simple. Ours has never moved from our seasonal yet.

Is there anyway to turn down the water temp on the gas WH? The wife says it's to hot on the gas operation. The AC was just right. Never fouled with this WH before.

Most wh come with 130 d limits, someone could of changed the 12 v limit to 140d. Only way I know is to check the part no. as the ones I have do not have a temp stamped on them. You can order 120d, 130d & 140d limits for 12v and 110.
I changed both of ours to 140d as we use less hot water.

Ford Idaho · 07-26-2014, 06:04 AM

If I missed it forgive me.
One season used is one season it could fail.
While you have the tank apart replacing and checking parts I would suggest you flush the tank out.

Water Heater Tank Rinser - Camco 11691 - Water Heaters - Camping World

**Herk7769** · 07-26-2014, 06:04 AM

If it is too hot you can mix at the faucet (My technique is open the hot water valve full and crack open the cold water valve till the temp is good for me), or crack the winterizing bypass valve to mix cold water at the hot water heater.

DAISY BOYKIN · 07-26-2014, 06:10 AM

I too had a problem with my hot water tank not heating water on 120 VAC. Make sure you check the electric plug for the H/W tank did not get bumped and unplugged. Also check the outside 120 VAC switch to make sure it is on?? Mine became corroded and had to flip it back and forth to get 120VAC to work. Try this after all the other suggestions have been checked.

BoatDude · 07-26-2014, 07:37 AM

We've been running it on gas this week. We go back today...so I will get a meter and troubleshoot next week when we return.

I was looking to see where the electric element is....I think it's accessible from the outside. There is a metal black cover at the lower area of the WH. I plan to order a new element and switch when I get home. Just in case. I hope it's an easy replacement. ...it looks difficult to access the back of the WH. And tips on replacing the element? Is there a gasket....etc?

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