overweitghtgeek
South
New Member
Joined: 11/12/2006
View Profile
 Offline
|
Took our 05 HR MH to the dealer last week because the electric side of our water heater had quit. They said the element was bad and replaced it. Unfortunately I wasn't able to test it until today (4 days and 300 miles later). It still doesn't work. Started investigating - all the fuses associated with anything water heater checks out, the breaker is on (switched it on and off a few times for good measure). Checked all the GFCI receptacles and they are on and working. Opened the small access behind the water heater to make sure the 110v cord was plugged in - it was very warm to the touch so I unplugged it. Further investigation discovered the rear electrical cover had been left hanging loose and the wires inside had melted. (attached images).
Anyone have any ideas as to what could be the cause? Could it be the relay? At this point I am going to have to try to repair it myself. Thanks for any help.
OWG
Driventoeducate.com
|
SunflyerA
Andover, Minnesota USA
Senior Member
Joined: 01/08/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I would look for a shorted wire....I hope there was water in the tank when it was turned on.....didn't see any images.
sunflyer
2005 Fleetwood Excursion 39S
350 Cat
|
Electronpusher
Southern Oregon
Senior Member
Joined: 10/01/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
THANK YOU for not calling it a "hot" water heater
It is difficult to tell from the picture but if the heat occurred where the two white wires connect it may have simply been a loose splice.
This is not as un-common as you might think-- Simply cut the wires back a bit and re-do the connection with a new connector making sure the wires are scraped clean and the connection is very tight.
Check the other connections for mechanical integrity also.
(If it were mine and both wires were solid conductor I would probably solder them anyway)
If that little box under the wires is a relay it appears that the problem
was between there and the heating element and thus it is not the problem.
BTW-- The heating elements will burn out immediately if dry fired but it is very unlikely for them to provide any substantial long term "short"--
ReM
edited for typo's
* This post was
edited 06/18/08 09:37am by Electronpusher *
Dick & Bette
and
Jedediah the Cat
2004 Journey 36G
|
99damon
Colorado
Full Member
Joined: 09/20/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
It is hard to see exactly what happened, but here's another thought. I see green connected to green, and white connected to white, but the black/black kinda disappears in the image. Is it possible (and I've done this too, when working too fast)...
That the tech stripped the insulation off the wires a bit far, and when s/he twisted on the wire caps that a little bit of copper was "peeking" out from the bottom. Allowing black (hot) and white (neutral) to kiss, copper to copper, enough to make some heat?
You'd hope this would at some point trip the breaker, but on the other hand, house fires start this way and the investigators don't always find tripped breakers. Bottom line is do what Electronpusher said: turn off the power, re-do the black-black and white-white connections, be sure they are physically separated, and see if that solves the problem.
Wayne
Fulltimers
1999 Damon Intruder 341
|
zmotorsports
Utah
Senior Member
Joined: 11/29/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I agree with previous poster that it appears to be a bad connection at the wire nut seeing as though that is where the heat is concentrated. I would strip the wires back and install new wire nuts and make sure both wires under each nut are securely fastened. If it was a problem with the relay there would be evidence at the relay or a terminal at the relay. Mike.
Mike & Chrystal (F315002)
2003 Monaco Dynasty/ 26' Haulmark Edge trailer
1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee toad
|
|
|
