Can’t find the back access to the water heater in my camper

[Sharonh]

Hi...my husband and I are new to the camping world, so don’t know a lot about campers. We have a 2018 Jayco 315RTLS Northpoint. Our Atwood 10E water heater is not heating when using electricity, so we think the element may be burnt out. In that regard, we know that the element is on the backside of the water heater, which as far as we can tell is inaccessible. Does anyone out there know where the access point to the back of the water heater is in our camper ???

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by Sharonh

Hi...my husband and I are new to the camping world, so don’t know a lot about campers. We have a 2018 Jayco 315RTLS Northpoint. Our Atwood 10E water heater is not heating when using electricity, so we think the element may be burnt out. In that regard, we know that the element is on the backside of the water heater, which as far as we can tell is inaccessible. Does anyone out there know where the access point to the back of the water heater is in our camper ???

Look outside for a 2' x 2' vented cover. That is the WH. It is about 2' deep. Now go inside and look for the heater in that location. Under a bed?, behind a panel? behind a drawer?

[barryg]

My trailer is not the same model as yours but as an example of the previous post the access in my trailer is from under the kitchen sink in that cabinet there is panel that is held in with two screws into the floor, pull the two screws the panel comes out and you can see it.

[Marko]

Before you do anything try turning your hot water heater on to propane. Turn the switch on the main panel to gas instead of electrical. Just to see if the water heater works at all. The switch or toggle switch should light up red in color if it's working. Then wait about 10 minutes for hot water heater to warm up. Then turn on hot water handle on your kitchen sink or bathroom sink / shower to see if it is hot water coming out.

Just a suggestion.

Good luck.

Marko

[Cavie]

Originally Posted by Marko

Before you do anything try turning your hot water heater on to propane. Turn the switch on the main panel to gas instead of electrical. Just to see if the water heater works at all. The switch or toggle switch should light up red in color if it's working. Then wait about 10 minutes for hot water heater to warm up. Then turn on hot water handle on your kitchen sink or bathroom sink / shower to see if it is hot water coming out.

Just a suggestion.

Good luck.

Marko

If it like most WH it will light up red then go out when it starts. If it comes on red after it has been working it is out of gas. If it is working and on gas you can walkaround outside. You will hear it running.

[Camper_bob]

Also, are you sure the element is accessed from the rear of the water heater? Granted, I only have direct experience with the 6-gallon models, but those don't have anything on the back except an input port and an output port. Everything else is accessed from the outside by taking off the louvered vent.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

Also, are you sure the element is accessed from the rear of the water heater?

Yep, that is how you remove the electric element. Page 35

http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Atwo...ice-manual.pdf

[Route 66 Traveler]

My Atwood 6 gallon has the electric heating element on the back of the water heater. It is covered by a black, plastic box that houses the 12 volt relay that turns on and off the 120 volts that powers the heating element. If yours has the same setup make sure you take photos of how it is wired before you take it apart. You can buy the proper socket at Amazon or a RV supply store to remove the element.

You can test the element by removing one wire and using an Ohm meter across the terminals to see if the element is open...there should be some resistance showing. Make sure you turn off the 120 volt circuit breaker to the water heater before working on it. Also drain the heater!

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Yep, that is how you remove the electric element. Page 35

http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Atwo...ice-manual.pdf

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

My Atwood 6 gallon has the electric heating element on the back of the water heater. It is covered by a black, plastic box that houses the 12 volt relay that turns on and off the 120 volts that powers the heating element. If yours has the same setup make sure you take photos of how it is wired before you take it apart. You can buy the proper socket at Amazon or a RV supply store to remove the element.

You can test the element by removing one wire and using an Ohm meter across the terminals to see if the element is open...there should be some resistance showing. Make sure you turn off the 120 volt circuit breaker to the water heater before working on it. Also drain the heater!

Learn something new every day! Now I'll know where to look when it happens to me!

[LarryJ]

Had to unscrew side wall of our basement and bend/pull it out to get at back side of our hot water heater. Dealer had no idea how to get at it (valves set wrong when we first used new 5vr.