hot water heater

Ron and Patti · 11-06-2006, 08:28 PM

Can someone tell me if the electric hot water heater can be adjusted, there seems to be no hot water when the electric switch is on. When we have the propane on the water is very hot. Could this be a blown fuse or just need to be adjusted. We have a 2001 Journey. thanks ron and patti

Ron and Patti · 11-06-2006, 08:28 PM

Can someone tell me if the electric hot water heater can be adjusted, there seems to be no hot water when the electric switch is on. When we have the propane on the water is very hot. Could this be a blown fuse or just need to be adjusted. We have a 2001 Journey. thanks ron and patti

peter griffin · 11-07-2006, 02:33 AM

mine takes over 30 minutes on electric to warm up? how long are you waiting?

lets see what others say..is your tank original or element?

Ron and Patti · 11-07-2006, 03:08 AM

We were in florida for 10 days and the switch was on for the electric hot water and never did get warm, the only way we had hot water was to put the propane on.

troth · 11-07-2006, 03:42 AM

Ron and Patti, it sounds like your electric element is bad. If turned on when there's no water in the water heater, they'll burn out quickly. You need to access where the hot-rod goes into the tank and use a multimeter to see if you've got 120 vac going to the element. If no volts AC, you've got a breaker tripped somewhere. If you've got the Volts AC, turn off the power switch and measure ohms at the element terminals. You should see some resistance if the element is good. If you see zero ohms, you've got a dead short and a burnt out element.

r2dillon · 11-07-2006, 06:57 AM

Although I do not have a Winnebago, my Pace Arrow does not allow electic hot water to be powered at the same time as the microwave or washing machine. Is there a selection switch in the Winnebago that may be disabling the water heater electic option?

NeilV · 11-07-2006, 07:08 AM

What does your EMS panel indicate when you turn the switch on? Dose the amperage go up or does the EMS immediatly turn off the electric water heater?

smlranger · 11-07-2006, 07:15 AM

Ron and Patti:

Had same problem with my 02 Journey this past Feb. Here is what my RV mechanic found:

..there is a switch on the back of the water heater that has a fairly low amp rating and with some age, it will trip off easily. This switch is primarily to allow you to shut off the AC at the water heater (for service, element replacement, etc.) Since there is also a switch for the AC element in the coach, he asked for my permission to by-pass the switch on the heater. He did and I've had no more problems.

Moder2 · 11-07-2006, 07:15 AM

I thought mine was bad too, but Winnie installed the switch upside down!

Best way to check is how NeilV said, unplug, turn on the genny, and see what your EMS pannel says. Go flip the switch, and see if you notice a change in amp draw. If no change, check the switch on the back of the water heater (there is a second switch there) and also make sure it is wired with 120v to it. After that is it new element time.

John

Ron and Patti · 11-07-2006, 08:30 PM

Thanks for all the information, we will check the back of the water heater and see if the element is bad. We will get back with the results and let everyone know how we make out.

TomHinMd · 11-09-2006, 05:10 AM

While you are checking the back of the water heater, look for a small black box with a hole in the center. Inside you might find a push type circut breaker. Use a wooden pencel or small stick and push it in. If you feel it move, then you just reset the breaker and all should be well again. I have had to do this to mine. Never could figure out what triped it to begin with.

Hope this helps.

"007" · 11-09-2006, 08:17 AM

I have a switch on face of water heater lower left side.