Water heater problem

[Witt74]

During our last camping trip, we found that the water heater was not heating the water when set to electric. After about 2 hours, the water was still tap temperature, and after about 4 hours, the pedestal breaker would trip after getting very warm. The water heater works fine on the gas setting, delivering hot water quickly and recovering quickly. I suspect a bad heating element. Any thoughts?

[edatlanta]

Maybe the thermostat on the electric side is bad? Mine has a separate thermostat for the electric and gas modes.

[RedHorse1]

My bet would be on the heating element. You could check the element for a short or open circuit with a VOM. There should be a measurable resistance but I can’t say what would be an expected value. Anyone have an idea?
If you attempt a diagnosis make sure the power is off!

[Witt74]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

My bet would be on the heating element. You could check the element for a short or open circuit with a VOM. There should be a measurable resistance but I can’t say what would be an expected value. Anyone have an idea?
If you attempt a diagnosis make sure the power is off!

Thanks RedHorse1. The heating element was my fist thought, as I have had them fail on home heaters before. Now just have to get back out to my brother's to check it out.