montana 3720rl maiden voyage, help water heater

[L0veless]

well we finally started out going from Michigan to AZ, unit was winterized so we used bottled water while traveling (toilet,drinking and dishes) used park showers.
this unit tracked great towed easily, everything worked great. now here is the issue we get set up in AZ. I hook up the water line my neighbor comes over to let me know I have a major leak opposite where my hook ups are. water is pouring out the water heater, open it up and the rod was not installed:facepalm:.get the teflon tape out and install the rod. problem fixed?
feeling good about everything. Go inside flip the electric toggle switch for the water heater 15 minutes later and nothing, flip toggle off, flip the gas toggle and swish (fire) we have hot water. what am I missing to get the electric to run the water heater?
thank you

[Lawdogs]

There is a switch on the water heater also. Think it is located on the low left corner of the water heater. I hope that is the issue. If you turned on the electric water heater without water in the tank, the element is fried.

[chuckster57]

Some water heaters will have a switch for the electric element at the water heater. It will be in the lower left corner when you open the cover.
Have you checked the breaker?

[JRTJH]

There is a small black switch in the water heater outside cover. Way down in the lower left corner, behind the propane/air mixer tubing. It is mounted upside down, so up is off and down is on. If (hopefully not) you forgot to install the anode rod, you may also have had that switch turned on with the trailer shore power also turned on. If so, and if the water heater was not filled, you may have burned out the electric heating element.

The simple check is to make sure the water heater is filled (it's probably OK now) and make sure the switch is turned on. Push BOTH of the black rubber "tabs" in the upper left side of the outside water heater cabinet (thermostat high temp reset switches) and wait to be sure the element is working.

The "shortcut" is to use a ohm meter to check the water heater element for continuity. If you're familiar with electrical wiring/circuit testers, unplug the trailer from shore power, remove one of the two connectors on the electric heating element, check for continuity between the two connectors on the element. If it's open, you've got a bad element, if you've got about 100 ohms of resistance, the element is likely good. Reconnect it or replace it as indicated. You can purchase a replacement for about $30 at any RV parts store or you can take the old one to Lowe's/Home Depot and "match it up" with a replacement for about $8. Be sure to match the voltage (120 VAC) and the wattage (1440 watts)...

It's not a difficult job to do, but does require some tools and understanding of the water heater's electrical circuit and operation. Your owner's manual for the water heater will provide all of the information you need, so take a look at it first.

Good Luck !!!

[L0veless]

flipped the little switch on the heater and its a miracle HOT WATER
thanks guys

[ctbruce]

I think the other thing to keep in mind is that the electric side will heat slower than the gas side. Use both to recover faster for multiple showers. You can either leave the gas and electric on all the time or turn the gas off in between needs. The electric side will keep the water hot and the gas only run when needed. Your choice. Enjoy!

Chip Bruce, RPh
Kansas City, MO
2016 Fuzion Impact 312
2015 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ
WELL....THAT WAS FUN!