Water Heater Problems

onislandtime

I have changed the element and still no hot water. I have hot water obviously after running engine. What should I check to trouble shoot?

aero3113

Check the plastic connector in the wiring and also the breaker could be bad.

Dream_Inn

Use a meter and check that you have proper voltage at the element.

Ian

Connector check is good idea. I have to replace mine as I need to disconnect and reconnect at times as I think it loosens after a run now and then.

onislandtime

Where the wires connect to the element?

aero3113

No, there should be another connector in the wiring. Follow it in the engine compartment, you should come across it.

Willhound

There is also a high temp reset in a lot of them. Check this thread.
https://rinkerboats.vanillaforums.com/discussion/8736/atwood-water-heater

onislandtime

Thanks for getting me started in the right direction! Thanks @Willhound for the link.

reneechris14

this should help.

MarkB

You checked you have power to the heater right?

onislandtime

Not yet. I just found out it has a reset button. I will at the boat this week. 

onislandtime

Anyone have luck ordering parts for the Atwood water heater? I'm having trouble finding something online.

Willhound

I've seen elements on Amazon and Ebay but you mentioned you've already changed that. I did find a complete part number list here: http://www.atwoodmobile.com/manuals/waterheaters/WaterHeaterPartsList.pdf

I may be looking for parts myself. Although finding the reset thanks to @reneechris14 got me working I found last visit to the boat that it kicked out again, so now I suspect the thermostat.

onislandtime

After posting here and follow up research, only 3 things can go wrong except complete failure of the tank. Element, thermostat and the ECO. I think all parts under $50 bucks.

Dude_Himself

onislandtime said:

After posting here and follow up research, only 3 things can go wrong except complete failure of the tank. Element, thermostat and the ECO. I think all parts under $50 bucks.

You're not familiar with my buddy Murphy, are you?

There's a whole 120V electrical system that must work. I'd start there.

onislandtime

Its simple to see if the reset button is tripped before hunting down an electrical problem lol! Multi meter will easily show if power is getting to the water heater.

Willhound

onislandtime said:

Its simple to see if the reset button is tripped before hunting down an electrical problem lol! Multi meter will easily show if power is getting to the water heater.

I have to disagree just a little bit. Maybe you have more space in your 342 but I can tell you that I spent 20 minutes standing on my head to get at my reset button yesterday. To get at it you will need to remove the metal cover behind which there will be a bit of insulation. Then there is a plastic shield that bolts on to keep any loose wires from contacting the cover. If you're careful you can pull it out of the way without removing it to check the reset button.
Mine was popped (again) and after reset I had hot water within 20 minutes. Not sure why it is popping, there really isn't an adjustment on the thermostat, I think either they work or they don't. It may be from me leaving the tank turned on all day on an extremely hot day and then running the boat which may have pushed the temp beyond the threshold of the reset.
Anyway, where the extra time came in was from trying to get the bottom bolt back into the right spot on the metal cover. Tiny little screw in a very tight spot that you can't see, at least not on my 270. My back is still sore today from all the twisting around.

onislandtime

@Willhound the 342 has a good 2 feet in front of engines to stand and work. In this photo the water heater is to the left in front of the battery banks. Very easy to work on anything in the engine compartment.

raybo3

onislandtime said:

@Willhound the 342 has a good 2 feet in front of engines to stand and work. In this photo the water heater is to the left in front of the battery banks. Very easy to work on anything in the engine compartment.

@onislandtime not on my 342. My engines are almost against the fire wall. To service my water heater I have to get behind it and work on it almost upside down. Not all 342's are the same.... Just say'n.

onislandtime

Heres a better view

Stodge

Is it me or does it look like your heater is by-passed?  I would think the blue hose is the water into the heater and red one is hot water out.  

onislandtime

@Stodge Holy Mackerel you solved my problem lol. No that was taken when it was winterized, but thanks observing that! Another 342 buddy wanted to see how I winterized the water system

Willhound

Nice! My 270 is obviously a little tighter, even with only one engine.

Dude_Himself

onislandtime said:

Heres a better view

You realize that's not connected to anything, right?

Dude_Himself

Oh, good. You do.

Anyone see the thread on TheHullTruth: whenever the guy unplugs from the dock he can't run the AC or use his 120V outlets, and can't figure out why, but he doesn't own a generator or inverter. That was a painful one...

onislandtime

UPDATE: It was the reset button that I didn't know was there. I have hot water!!!

reneechris14

Very very good!

Liberty44140

First I’ve heard of a reset button, thanks for posting, glad your all set!

Stodge

Dude_Himself said:

Oh, good. You do.

Anyone see the thread on TheHullTruth: whenever the guy unplugs from the dock he can't run the AC or use his 120V outlets, and can't figure out why, but he doesn't own a generator or inverter. That was a painful one...

The guy that bought my 280 called me a few months after the sale with the same question.