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khodgens · 09-10-2014, 04:57 PM

Bought a 06 Cougar 5th wheel this summer. I finished winterizing it today. I drained water heater and blew out the potable water lines. Everything went fine but now the water heater circuit is tripping the circuit. All other circuits are fine. I haven't had the water switch on for several days and never switched it on today. The only electrical thing done today was closing the slide and I did that after unplugging the camper to the garage outlet. Since I'm ready to take it to storage I don't want to put water back into the system. Is it possible it trips the circuit just since the wh is dry?

Ranger Smith · 09-10-2014, 05:00 PM

Did you shut off the electric element on the water heater . . . If not you blew the electric element on it.

nothermark · 09-10-2014, 05:13 PM

+1 water heater elements are not designed to run in air.

FWIW I think I will look and see if pulling the connection is a reasonable part of winterizing dual fuel HW heaters. I can see accidentally turning on the heater when topping off the batteries in the winter.

khodgens · 09-10-2014, 05:34 PM

Thanks for the advice. After diving thru papers I found the hidden element switch and switched it off. All is well now. This wasn't covered in the owners manual on winterizing. I'll order a new element then have it ready to go in come spring.
Thanks again!

Ranger Smith · 09-11-2014, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khodgens

Thanks for the advice. After diving thru papers I found the hidden element switch and switched it off. All is well now. This wasn't covered in the owners manual on winterizing. I'll order a new element then have it ready to go in come spring.
Thanks again!

I think you can pick up one of those heater elements at Home Depot. I did once

khodgens · 09-11-2014, 10:14 AM

We're kind of isolated here in SW Colorado. Home depot is an hour away. I found the element on line for $18 shipping included. I'll probably go ahead and order it.
Thanks to everyone for the support and help!

nothermark · 09-12-2014, 07:59 AM

FWIW - I don't know the answer. If it was my tank I would fill it with water in the spring and see what happened. If it works save the element. If it fails the tank gets an extra flush. It all depends on whether the fuse blows before the element melts and shorts. It might, it might not. Only testing will tell. If I had to make a decision the element would get changed out. If the element worked it will probably keep working as it is very well made.