Water heater not heating on electric

[campaholix]

Works great with gas ... electric not heating it up. Sounds like its running but no hot water. First issue with it.

Any (useful) suggestions??

[2edgesword]

When the water heater is on gas you'll hear the ignitor when it's first turned on and then the burner. If it's on electric you shouldn't hear anything since there is no ignitor and heating coil (rather than a flame) is heating up the water. If after some time the water isn't getting hot you may not be getting 120V to the heating coil.

[Thomson]

We ended up replacing the electrode on a Surburban because the switch was installed upside down. We burned out the element when we drained the water heater. Check the ohms after taking one of the leads off the element. Unplug the trailer first. You should read between 4 and 9 ohms. If dead it will look the same as when you have the meter probes touching nothing.

[campaholix]

Originally Posted by 2edgesword

When the water heater is on gas you'll hear the ignitor when it's first turned on and then the burner. If it's on electric you shouldn't hear anything since there is no ignitor and heating coil (rather than a flame) is heating up the water. If after some time the water isn't getting hot you may not be getting 120V to the heating coil.

I hear a high pitched squeal...it’s the same as I’ve always heard just now isn’t heating.

[campaholix]

Originally Posted by Thomson

We ended up replacing the electrode on a Surburban because the switch was installed upside down. We burned out the element when we drained the water heater. Check the ohms after taking one of the leads off the element. Unplug the trailer first. You should read between 4 and 9 ohms. If dead it will look the same as when you have the meter probes touching nothing.

Thanks for the tip

[campaholix]

DOH...note to self-always start with the easy step(s)...in this case check the breaker. No idea why, but it was tripped. Reset and presto chango—hot water!!

Thanks for the input.

[AKRUEBBE]

Originally Posted by Dnbgould

DOH...note to self-always start with the easy step(s)...in this case check the breaker. No idea why, but it was tripped. Reset and presto chango—hot water!!

Thanks for the input.