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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Naperville, IL || North Scott Lake, MI
    Posts
    1,455

    Default Issues with water heater

    Hoping someone can provide some guidance....

    We have a small water heater (I think its 10 gallons) at the cottage and every time it tries to switch on it is tripping the breaker. It's fairly new (2-3 yrs old) and worked fine at the end of last season. Any thoughts on what might be the cause?

    Thanks.
    Mike

    2013 Outback V
    - ballast: 900# rears / 400# center / 650# IBS
    - audio: Exile SXT9Q x 2 towers / Kicker KM65 x 6 cabins / Xi 12 sub / Javelin & XM15.4 amps / ZLD
    - FAE
    - DIY suckgate

    2003 SeaRay 182 -- gone but not forgotten...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Clermont, Fl
    Posts
    586

    Default

    My guess would be a corroded heating element.

    Do a continuity check, you'll find out if it is bad or not.

    Easy and cheap fix.

    I replaced the elements on my home water heater with a lifetime guarantee pair from home depot. Well worth the difference in price.

    Hard water can be a heater element killer.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Naperville, IL || North Scott Lake, MI
    Posts
    1,455

    Default Issues with water heater

    Yeah that was my first thought as I think I replaced that on my previous heater too.

    How does one do a continuity check?
    Mike

    2013 Outback V
    - ballast: 900# rears / 400# center / 650# IBS
    - audio: Exile SXT9Q x 2 towers / Kicker KM65 x 6 cabins / Xi 12 sub / Javelin & XM15.4 amps / ZLD
    - FAE
    - DIY suckgate

    2003 SeaRay 182 -- gone but not forgotten...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Clermont, Fl
    Posts
    586

    Default

    Need a multi meter.

    Unfortunately I did not save the web site that led you thru this step by step. Do a google search on trouble shooting electric water heaters and you'll quckly find all the info you will need.

    One word of caution....make sure you turn off power before doing anything AND completely drain the water heater before pulling out the element!

    Here is a decent resource: http://homerepair.about.com/od/plumb...nt_replace.htm
    Last edited by slipperyrockTKE300; 06-02-2014 at 08:44 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    North Dakota
    Posts
    164

    Default

    If you do change the element make sure to keep the power off until the tank fills back up. Or, you will be replacing it again. If it's not that, your GFI switch could be bad as well. Both cheap and easy fixes.
    2013 Mobius LSV
    2004 Centurion T5

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Naperville, IL || North Scott Lake, MI
    Posts
    1,455

    Default Issues with water heater

    Yep, it was the heating element -- not even a need for test, it pretty much fell apart when I got it out. Thanks all for the help!!
    Mike

    2013 Outback V
    - ballast: 900# rears / 400# center / 650# IBS
    - audio: Exile SXT9Q x 2 towers / Kicker KM65 x 6 cabins / Xi 12 sub / Javelin & XM15.4 amps / ZLD
    - FAE
    - DIY suckgate

    2003 SeaRay 182 -- gone but not forgotten...

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