Electric Water Heater damaged

[skids]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Ohm's law states I= V/R, so I is the amps found by dividing the voltage by the resistance. So I = 120 volts divided by 56,000 ohms resistance. Amps would then be 0.0021428571. The resistance should be less than 20.
The element is inexpensive, readily available and simple to replace.

I have also seen Power = IV, and I = V/R, and the by substitution P = v^2/R
Therefore, R = v x v / P or
Resistance = voltage squared divided by watts.

[66joej]

Originally Posted by skids

I will look for that rocker switch on the board. It was the one on the control panel that my wife switched on (!)

The one inside the RV at the control panel will not work if that rocker switch at the WH is in the off position.

[chuckster57]

Where the element is located depends on what brand the water heater is. Suburban is located on the outside, behind the oval plastic cover.

Atwood element is located on the inside behind the rectangular junction box.

[flybouy]

The switch location on the wh is brand specific as well.

[Gord]

Originally Posted by sourdough

I'm hoping that's what my post indicated....or at least I thought it did.

I wasn't questioning the info in your post which was spot on. Just wanted to put some typical numbers out there for various wattage 120V tank elements.

[skids]

okay I took the panel off and looked at the hot water tank from the inside of the camper and decided that it was too hard to get in there to test the element. I'm just going to wait until next season when I'll fill up the water and start the tank on electric to see if it heats up. If not I'm going to use gas until I get it fixed.

[RickReichert]

There will be a circuit breaker for the water heater on the A/C breaker panel in your trailer. Your water heater element is probably fried, so to be safe make sure this breaker is in the "off" position before plugging your trailer into shore power. I use this breaker to control the A/C part of the water heater rather than the small rocker switch on the water heater itself. Keeping this breaker off insures that the DW can't accidentally turn the electrical element of the water heater on when its winterized.

Of course, the water heater could still be destroyed by someone turning it on using propane while it is empty. BTW, there is also a DC fuse that can be pulled to prevent this from happening, but that fuse might also control the refrigerator control board. Just pull one DC fuse at a time until the water heater won't fire up, and then check to see if the fridge will still come on.

As always, YMMV!

[larryflew]

I was in the hospital last year when winterizing was needed so my wife hired someone to do it. He left the switch on and it was still on shore power. Lucky for us the breaker tripped before frying the element. And no it was not turned off it was in the tripped position.

Hope you have the larger element and it's OK.

[Phil Saran]

This past June on the first night of a 4 week trip the water heater on my 2019
Keystone Cougar 30 RLS went out. Turned out both the circuit board and the
electric probe were bad. Long story short I ended up with a Mobil RV Tech and
he tested and replaced both items. After the trip I contacted Keystone Customer
Relations for reimbursement.

They paid for the circuit board and 1/2 hour labor, but said the probe was
a consumable item and not covered.
Total cost of repairs was $300, they paid $205.

[Steve's 70-5]

Hook a water hose up to the camper. Turn on water, turn on water heater. If in a hour no hot water, something burnt up. Hot water you are good. What little water you run will go in the gray tank. You can drain it on your yard if you want

[skids]

Thanks Joe. I have already winterized it. The city water comes in at the outlet of the pump and would put fresh into the line all the way to the water heater at the other end of the camper. I would have to winterize again. I will do as you said but wait until early summer.