Hot water heater wiring got real hot.

[Phil Palmer]

I have a 2004 Holiday Rambler Endeavor with a Attwood 10gal. hot water heater
and We were coming in on Monday of this week off of a trip, Linda smelled plastic burning and I looked in the compartment that the hot water heater is in and the black box where all the wires connect was smoking. I immediately cut off the power to the hot water heater. I took the black box off of the front of the hot water heater, and the white wire on the element and the white wire coming out of the power cord hat melted together and the connector had melted. I need some suggestion on what I should do next. Should I change the element or put new thermostats. I tired it on gas and it fired right off. I did check the voltage on the element with the power on and it showed 117 volts on My fluke meter.

Phil Palmer
Lavonia, Ga.

[Winemaker2]

My guess... Likely hi resistance due to a poor connection, broken wire arcing?
You could cut the wires back and reconnect - I would also do the other connections.
OTOH
The cost of of new element, Tstat and ever temp cut off are not all that much. When I had an issue with my 2003 WH a few yrs back I just replaced all 3. You might consider it inexpensive peace of mind.

[KanzKran]

Originally Posted by Winemaker2

The cost of of new element, Tstat and (over) temp cut off are not all that much. When I had an issue with my 2003 WH a few yrs back I just replaced all 3. You might consider it inexpensive peace of mind.

Short of just a poorly made or corroded connection, I would replace all three, especially if there's any significant calendar years and especially usage hours on it. As you said, cheap peace of mind, especially since most fires are electrical in origin (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

[Ljwt330]

As mentioned, poor connections. Repair the connectors and reattach, being sure to clean the spade connectors. Vibration loosening the connection, along with oxidation, probably caused the high resistance. Thermostat and element are not likely an issue as the heat was generated at the point of high resistance--the neutral connection at the beginning of the heating circuit.



Repair/replace all parts that show signs of heat. If replacing the thermostat and element gives you peace of mind, go ahead and replace those as well.

[Mac99]

Ljwt330 has hit the nail precisely on the head !

[Old-Biscuit]

2004 Atwood uses 12VDC for Electric and Gas operation/controls/functions
Same set of T-stat/ECO controls BOTH for heating cycles

This black box you removed....was that the cover over the element which is on the BACKSIDE of water heater tank?
A DC Relay with Yellow DC wire and then BLACK AC wires for 120VAC to element
White wire would be 120VAC Neutral
Green....ground


element is probably Good.
120VAC wires to/from element need replaced---or stripped to expose Good wire
Loose connections.....high resistance.......POOF/HOT and melted insulation

















Just for reference THIS is the Frontside of Water Heater (outside compartment)

[Phil Palmer]

I just want to take a minute of Your time, and say thanks for all the great RV's that helped Me with Your thoughts on how You fixed Your problem.

I did put two new thermostats and a new heating element, in My hot water heater and I feel better about it.

Thanks again.

Phil

[Winemaker2]

Phil
Good decisions and Thnx for the follow up.