water Heater Woes

[Ray Stacey]

My 6 gallon Atwood water heater has a problem with it's 110 volt system circuitry. Even with the water heater circuit breaker off, the shore breaker will trip when I make the onboard 110 volt general circuit breaker.I had an electrician quickly diagnose the problem as a "common ground". I disconnected the water heater heating element and the problem went away. I'm getting 10 ohms resistance across the heating element, the same as a new one gives. If anyone can help me diagnose the problem further I would be most grateful.Ray

 

[Rick I]

Had this problem before

with the heater tripping the GFI's even when switched off. Usually caused by corrosion on the contacts of the heating element. Put a new element in and it should solve your problem. They're readily available at hardware stores.

 

[Gord May]

gnd fault test

With power ‘off’, and AC supply circuit disconnected from heater:Test for continuity between AC Line terminal on heater (where black wire connects to brass screw) and heater case. Should read ‘open’ circuit (infinite Ohms).

 

[Ron Simmer]

water heater

sounds to me like your water heater element has a short or grounding to the frame..... since disconnecting resolves the problem I would consider replacing the unit. I just installed a 12V system and improved heater works well. I decided to avoid the heat exchanger from the engine as my last heater leaked. Also to insure load you might want to insure that if you have along run to the breaker that the gauge wire is at least 10awg.ron simmer...