NorthernNeck,VA
Montross, Va.
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We purchased a 2005 King of the Road and the gas water heater was not working but the electric was. I took it back to the dealer and they kept it 2 weeks and called and said it was fixed. I went and picked it up and checked the gas water heater and it worked fine. Yesterday I was prep'ing it for the weekend and checked the gas heater...no problem. When I switched to electric it blew the breaker in the panel box. I checked it several times and got the same result. I am wondering if they left the electric switch on and burned up the elements. Any ideas???? I don't want to pull it all the way back to the dealer ($$$$ for gas, 75 miles one way) and want to try and fix this myself.
* This post was
edited 05/14/08 06:11am by NorthernNeck,VA *
Jimmy & Kathy
Northern Neck, VA.
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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If the breaker trips immediately after turning on the heater there must be a short circuit. You should be able to pull the heating element and check the resistance (ohms)between the inputs. I don't know what the reading should be but it won't be zero. If it is zero the element needs to be replaced.
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Usually when a electric element shorts out it blows the breaker one time and after that it is usually an open circuit, at least that is what I have always experienced on residential water heaters.
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Larry202br
Olathe, Ks
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they probably pinched a wire when working on the gas components. do a visual inspection of the heater looking for wires pinched under a screw, plate, or bracket. Then disconnect the element and see if the breaker still blows. if it does, there's still a wire pinched somewhere. If not, replace the heating element. You can usually get a replacement element at a good hardware store.
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j2catfish
Newport, NC, U.S.of.A.
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Shut off electrical power and remove the wires from the element (two screws); tape them seperately or ensure that they do not touch each other or any part of the metal on the coach. Turn the power back on, then the breaker for the heater. If the breaker pops, you have a wiring problem - if it doesn't pop, you have a defective element. A replacement element is available at Lowes or Home Depot. They have a 1500 watt 115 volt element that is a tiny bit larger but a whole lot cheaper than the 1440 watt that comes in most water heaters on RVs. Works for me.
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luvlabs
Frederick, MD
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I went through the same thing last year. After extensive troubleshooting of the wiring, the heating element and everything in between, it turned out to be a bad breaker. I actually had two breakers go bad since I bought the trailer so it didn't surprise me when it happened again.
A quick trip to Lowes and a little bit of rewiring in the panel, and thing are good again. A multimeter and knowing how to use one is really important if you are going to check this yourself.
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NorthernNeck,VA
Montross, Va.
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I tried a little troubleshooting last night. When I turn the water heater off at the unit and then turn of switch on the light in the switch glows like it should, but then when I turn the unit on the breaker blows and the light goes out in the switch. I'm thinking it is the element.
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F250camper
Mount Vernon, KY
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I had the exact same problem and it was the element.
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NorthernNeck,VA
Montross, Va.
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I put the meter on the element and it showed that it was indeed bad. Replaced the element and had hot water in 20 minutes. Leaving this afternoon for the VA Crab Festival. Thanks for all the help and suggestions.
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CHV_FRK
Black Jack, MO
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j2catfish wrote:Shut off electrical power and remove the wires from the element (two screws); tape them seperately or ensure that they do not touch each other or any part of the metal on the coach. Turn the power back on, then the breaker for the heater. If the breaker pops, you have a wiring problem - if it doesn't pop, you have a defective element. .
Easiest way!
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