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cc8375 · 06-10-2014, 09:31 AM

The Electric side on my Atwood hot water heater was not working. Found a burnt connector, which was Opened on one side to the water heater. See pic. All tested Ok after replacing with a new connector.

Any thoughts on what may have caused this?

jesilvas · 06-10-2014, 05:29 PM

Bad connection creating heat is usually it.

94-Newmar · 06-10-2014, 07:00 PM

I would suggest using an ohm meter to see if the electric element may be beginning to fail, causing a larger amperage draw, thus burning wiring. Across the element, with power off obviously, you should about 10 ohms resistance on the electric element.

jesilvas · 06-10-2014, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94-Newmar

I would suggest using an ohm meter to see if the electric element may be beginning to fail, causing a larger amperage draw, thus burning wiring. Across the element, with power off obviously, you should about 10 ohms resistance on the electric element.

Disconnect both wires too for this reason:
And then ohm from each contact to ground casing of the element. There should be ZERO continuity. If any, replace.

dons2346 · 06-11-2014, 08:05 PM

This is a "twist" connector. You put two bare wires together and then twist the connector on the wires. This one could have been the wrong size for the wires involved and the wires started to unravel which caused a high resistance which caused a high temperature which melted the connector.

Best thing to do here is to strip the insulation off of the two wires far enough to get clean wire and use a crimp butt splice such as these Butt Splice Connectors | WiringProducts

Soldering the wiring isn't a good solution because you could make the wire brittle and vibration could cause it to break

Cajunman · 06-11-2014, 10:23 PM

Is it possible you experienced low voltage? I just had my water heater repaired at the dealer due to burnt wires at a connector also. It went out right after the campground had low voltage for 30 min till they lost power completely. We were away from the camper at the time. Luckily my AC wasn't running! Not sure why breaker didn't trip?!? I will now invest in a progressive power plug.