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rbates1944 · 12-02-2021, 06:47 AM

I have a 2001 Itasca with a Atwood gas/electric water heater.
In the last ten years I have replaced the electric side thermostats five times and have noticed wire connections on the thermostats show signs of heating up. It seems the connections and thermostats are not heavy enough to carry that much current. On the gas side I have never replaced the thermostats.
I've thought of adding a relay. Thoughts, anyone.

YC1 · 12-02-2021, 07:20 AM

Without a picture it is impossible to offer safe advise.

In any case, no. There are countless units out there not having that problem so your issue has not been diagnosed properly yet.

Poor connections cause heat so replacing wires and connectors may be in order.

Please post the model number and then a proper schematic can be consulted.

You might be changing a control device that operates a relay that is actually the culprit.

Just guessing here.

OldWEB · 12-02-2021, 07:27 AM

Also, see if you can determine the size of electric element installed. Maybe(?) it had been replaced once with a higher wattage thus increasing the current required.
Also, I have never liked replacing parts on any electric resistive heating elements. It seems the heat and current will discolor (corrosion) the wire/connections and they never do well after... replacement of wire and connectors is needed.

Old-Biscuit · 12-02-2021, 08:25 AM

2001 Atwood Gas/Electric
GAS side uses 12VDC set of t-stats
Electric side uses 120VAC set of t-stats

Electric side is Direct Wired
120VAC 15A Circuit Breaker to On/Off Switch to Hi t-stat/Normal t-stat then to Element (Hot wire----Neutral goes from element to Main AC Panel Neutral Buss)
*OEM On/Off switch on backside of WH Tank where set of T-stats/element are located
***RV MFG may have installed an on/off switch inside the RV wired in series with OEM switch

Discoloration at t-stats.....loose spade connectors.
Replace the spade connectors...ensure they are TIGHT on the t-stat terminals
Element should be 120VAC 1400W element
*Atwood did have 1500W then changed to 1400W to lower the Amp Drawn for 15A CBs

You probably have a GC6A-8E (6 gal) or GC10A-3E (10 gal)
*T-stat set Atwood 91873 (120VAC)

YC1 · 12-02-2021, 12:57 PM

Old-Biscuit never gets tired of answering these question. Absolutely spot on and obviously with years of experience behind the information.

When he posts I just usually jump ship.

I would try to keep up with his information but it would fill a three ring binder, and what the heck. It's just as easy to post the question and sit back and absorb his wisdom.

We have some of the best and experienced folks on this forum and it still amazes me and how much they share over and over.

Have a great holiday folks!

swagn · 12-02-2021, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YC1

Old-Biscuit never gets tired of answering these question. Absolutely spot on and obviously with years of experience behind the information.

When he posts I just usually jump ship.

I would try to keep up with his information but it would fill a three ring binder, and what the heck. It's just as easy to post the question and sit back and absorb his wisdom.

We have some of the best and experienced folks on this forum and it still amazes me and how much they share over and over.

Have a great holiday folks!

Every time I see a question about a water heater, I think I can answer that BUT because I know Ol-Biscuit will answer, i don't want to embarrass myself by missing something...he's saved me sooooo many times...I hope sometime I get the opportunity to shake his hand

RealNiceTent · 12-02-2021, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swagn

Every time I see a question about a water heater, I think I can answer that BUT because I know Ol-Biscuit will answer, i don't want to embarrass myself by missing something...he's saved me sooooo many times...I hope sometime I get the opportunity to shake his hand

I'm starting to wonder if Old-Biscuit is actually a human? I mean he has 19 thousand posts. Water heater, Fridge, furnace, RV appliance of any kind it seems he has an answer. It's like he sees a post, the hard drive comes up to speed, and the solution is accessed from some huge data base. Yep, he must be AI.

Just kidding(I think), Old-Biscuit, Mr. Ed Gray, and a few others make these boards a gold mine of resources. Thank you all for contributing your knowledge.