Community Forums

campkanc · 06-20-2012, 05:59 PM

Our Atwood electric/lp water heater has stopped working on electric. It was working fine for a couple of weeks, then stopped. We wiggled a few wires and unplugged/replugged from the circuit board, and it worked again for a bit. Now it isn't working on electric at all, even after trying a new relay. Works fine on lp.

Any ideas?

bcbrowne · 06-20-2012, 06:06 PM

might have lost the electric element, i did on mine after hooking up at campground. not sure if air in the hose or what happened. worked on the trip there. started tripping gfi circuit, gonna replace element tomorrow.

doublechevy · 06-20-2012, 09:10 PM

did you verify that you had 120V to the element. if you do then you should test the element with an ohm meter and look for resistance reading, make sure power is off and at least one wire disconnected from element before taking ohm reading. if you do not have voltage at the element then check for tripped circuit breaker or check for voltage at the high limit

Dutch Star Don · 06-21-2012, 12:28 AM

My B-I-L had a similar issue on his. He bought a new element and as he started to take the old one out, he found a ground wire loose. Make sure al the wires are tight.

steelheadbluesman · 06-21-2012, 12:45 AM

Mine also quit when a ground became disconnected. Now that's an easy fix, but it took some time to diagnose.

With the start-stop routine you report, it could be a loose connection somewhere....

97windsor · 06-21-2012, 09:38 AM

I had the switch on the heater go bad and made the electric not work. Try switching the switch on the heater in the itself on and off a few times. (The switch I'm talking about is in the outside compartment that has the removeable cover.) I would do that and it would work a while until finally switching on and off wouldn't get it to work. I replaced the switch last year and all has been good since.

campkanc · 06-22-2012, 05:07 PM

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and input. It seems that the element is working, as does the switch. We also have not found any loose wires. We will have our resident service man come and take a peek and diagnose. Will let you know how things turn out.
Thanks again!

Bobs911 · 06-24-2012, 06:02 PM

I found (smelled actually) that the switch on the back of the water heater (in an interior cabinet) had fried. Bypassed it and all is working fine now.