I have a Seaward water heater that just stopped heating the water by AC power. I notice from the manual that there is a heating element that looks like it is replaceable. Is this what usually goes out or would it be the thermostat? How do I trouble shoot? I am hoping I do not have to replace the whole heater as I may have to pull out my AC unit and a water pump if I do.
No hot water?
- Thread starter Pat T
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Safety Cutout?
My Seaward Heater has a safety cutout in addition to the normal thermostat which controls the temperature of the water. This is to take care of possible boiling if the main thermostat sticks in the 'on' position.
However there is another means of water heating; i.e. the engine.
On occasion, if the engine water runs very hot (running the engine flat out for 15 minutes!!) the domestic hot water temp rises to the point where this safety cutout operates.
It is like a booby trap because, as the cutout is not self resetting, one doesn't know the cutout has tripped until the next time one is plugged into shore power and the water remains cold. In my case this could be days or even weeks later.
To reset this cutout one needs to locate the little red button on the small square box at the end of the heater where the electric cable enters. It might even be inside the box and in my installation one needs a mirror to see it.
One press and all is well again.
Hope this is all that is wrong with yours.
My Seaward Heater has a safety cutout in addition to the normal thermostat which controls the temperature of the water. This is to take care of possible boiling if the main thermostat sticks in the 'on' position.
However there is another means of water heating; i.e. the engine.
On occasion, if the engine water runs very hot (running the engine flat out for 15 minutes!!) the domestic hot water temp rises to the point where this safety cutout operates.
It is like a booby trap because, as the cutout is not self resetting, one doesn't know the cutout has tripped until the next time one is plugged into shore power and the water remains cold. In my case this could be days or even weeks later.
To reset this cutout one needs to locate the little red button on the small square box at the end of the heater where the electric cable enters. It might even be inside the box and in my installation one needs a mirror to see it.
One press and all is well again.
Hope this is all that is wrong with yours.
The first thing you should do as it does not require tools or effort is to reset the temperature safety switch as Donalex points out and then flick the breaker switch off and on too also reset. If nothing happens and you still have cold water then is time to test the components by following the flow of electricity. I would use a simple circuit tester that lights a bulb when power is present. I would first test for power in the wiring going to the unit. This would eliminate the possibility of a bad breaker switch. I would similarly check the output lines of the thermostat and temperature safety switch. If there is no current flowing past one of them you have located your culprit. Water heater elements usually fail due to corrosion caused by sediments and the telltale is usually a tripped breaker. If you have power going to the element terminals and still no hot water then replace the element. By checking the flow of electricity through the components you may also be able to detect any fault in the wiring and connections. Take care and precautions when working around ac current.
Hot water again!
Thanks guys. Found the reset button under the electrical box cover. I think this may have tripped a few days back when I overheated the engine? Plugged my engine intake while motoring in a river and caused the over heat alarm to go off before I was able to shut down. All is well/fixed now.
Thanks guys. Found the reset button under the electrical box cover. I think this may have tripped a few days back when I overheated the engine? Plugged my engine intake while motoring in a river and caused the over heat alarm to go off before I was able to shut down. All is well/fixed now.
Ha. You would never think that a plugged engine intake one day could cause loss of hot water when moored alongside days or even weeks later.
BTW: I would not recommend prospecting around with a live wire and bulb to locate mains power failures. Okay for 12 volt circuits though.
Too easy to end up dead.
BTW: I would not recommend prospecting around with a live wire and bulb to locate mains power failures. Okay for 12 volt circuits though.
Too easy to end up dead.
water heater again!
The reset only lasted a few days before I had cold water again. I am guessing it is the heating element? What do you think? Thanks.
The reset only lasted a few days before I had cold water again. I am guessing it is the heating element? What do you think? Thanks.
Re: water heater again!
Pat
had the same problem on my Seaward heater on my H410 a couple of years ago. Seaward send me a replacement thermostat and overheat safety cutout for around $25. replaced them and no further problems.
Pat
had the same problem on my Seaward heater on my H410 a couple of years ago. Seaward send me a replacement thermostat and overheat safety cutout for around $25. replaced them and no further problems.
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