Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Water heater element access (Read 541 times) previous topic - next topic

Water heater element access

      
                So our electric side of our hot water heater went out on us last week while at the Boothbay Rally. The owners manual says there is a reset button at the back of the heater under a cover. I can reach up underneath and barely get my hand on it (the cover). Too tight to work on without much longer arms.

          After a search here some say they have an access panel between the large bay and the back of the heater. I don't. So my question is has anyone cut an access hole/door in the bay walls? Is there any reason not too? I can feel up in there and also can see with a mirror that there are no wires etc. that would be in the way. I would think a 8" to 10" access door would provide enough room to change out the electric element etc. if need be.

      I really don't want to pull the water heater if I don't have to so looking to you good folks for solutions.

            Thanks, Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Water heater element access

Reply #1 –
Dean, First of all I would check the breakers under the white cover in the bay and if it is not tripped I would pull the water heater out if it was mine.  I am not sure about a reset button but there is so little room that removing the water heater would be better.
Pull all the screws around the perimeter out, disconnect the gas line and carefully put it to side out of the way.  Slide water heater out onto a bucket or other platform. As you slide It out reach behind and disconnect water lines and electric lines.  Then you can get to back of it to replace element or reset.
Gary B

On edit.  There is a thermal reset at the front of the water heater , it is in a small clear plastic tube attached to the control board.  Check this first, if the water heater works on gas this will not be the problem.

Re: Water heater element access

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
Dean, First of all I would check the breakers under the white cover in the bay and if it is not tripped I would pull the water heater out if it was mine.

On edit.  There is a thermal reset at the front of the water heater , it is in a small clear plastic tube attached to the control board.  Check this first, if the water heater works on gas this will not be the problem.
                Gary, it does work on propane. I also verified there is power going to the water heater so I don't believe it's a breaker. I suspect that it's the thermal reset at the element or the element itself.       
          Just seems like an access panel would make future issues much easier, especially while on the road.

            On edit: Also my thinking is that if I pull it out I won't know if simply resetting the button puts it back on line or not.

                      Thanks, Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Water heater element access

Reply #3 –
Dean,
My 99 has a small access opening toward the top of the bay to the front of the heater.  I havent tried but should be able to check the element from there.  Not sure about access on an 03.
Jerry
Jerry & Nanci
1999 U270 34'WTFI
2011 Malibu
A smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows when to say it.

Re: Water heater element access

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Green99 –
Dean,
My 99 has a small access opening toward the top of the bay to the front of the heater.  I havent tried but should be able to check the element from there.  Not sure about access on an 03.
Jerry
                    Nope, no access at all in mine. I think I have talked myself into going to Lowes and see what I can get for a small access panel and cut it in to the bay. Only makes sense to have a reasonable way to get to the element, even for safety.

            I think it was Dave Heads coach that nearly caught fire due to a short in the water heater switch which is in the back.

    Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Water heater element access

Reply #5 –
We ran a cable to our propane hot water tank's electric heating element which is located on the inaccessible rear so we can measure ohms & volts to know if heating element is working without removing tank.

Easy to do before installing the tank. Bring power source cable to accessible nearby space and bring another power cable from heating element terminals to the same accessible space. Relocate 120-volt relay from back side to accessible space and move 12-volt relay control wire from circuit board to accessible space. Connect power through relay to element terminals in a waterproof plastic electric box.

You can add a Radio Shack neon lamp to turn on when element is powered. Also can add a 12-volt LED that lights up when relay is powered from circuit board.
 

Re: Water heater element access

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Dean & Dee –
                    I think I have talked myself into going to Lowes and see what I can get for a small access panel and cut it in to the bay. Only makes sense to have a reasonable way to get to the element, even for safety.

Dean

Lowes should have the access port like the one I gave Steve and Michelle.  I found it in the plumbing aisle, remember 5"x7''.  Steve showed it in a wet bay mod that he did last year.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)