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KampingKris's avatar
KampingKris
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013

aqua hot electric quits

So not mechanical... The aqua hot system just stopped working. Water is cold. The light is off the switch for electric. So, we turned on the diesel burner and yes, it works...
The main breaker (the main breaker) is fine. Understand sometimes a thermostat can go out.. It was putting out some scalding water all of a sudden.
  • Stop! Before you do anything go to Roger Berkes Aqua Hot website. The first thing you will need is the model number as testing varies by model number.

    If you can't do the work I'm sure he will recommend someone who can. I would not go to most RV service areas. I know that he travels to Q but not sure of his schedule.
  • If you were to feel comfortable with a VOM around electrical I would suggest that you measure to see if you are getting 120VAC to the heating element. If you are then a burnt heating element is your issue. If you are not getting voltage there then you will have to backtrack until you find where you are loosing it, Klixon switch would be next.

    I like to start at the load and then work my way backwards towards the electrical source when troubleshooting electrical loads that are not working, after you verify the source of course.

    If you don't know your way around electrical systems it may not be a job you will want to tackle as one wrong contact with a meter lead or "short" and you can cause yourself a more expensive repair than you started with.

    Mike.
  • Looked at the manual... it's a bit complex and didn't seem to have a testing for the electrical side unless I'm reading it wrong... which I'm sure we are. There aren't any error codes... just no response for the electrical from the inside...
    I guess there isn't any fuses directly related to it..

    So any and all suggestions are welcome.. remembering we are non mechanical. I'm thinking a repair call is probably the answer. Darn, we are traveling on the oregon coast.
  • If it didn't trip the breaker I would lean towards an open heating element or a Klixon switch. There are two Klixon style switches for the electric and two for the diesel burner. When testing look in the manual to be certain you are testing the correct ones.

    Mike.
  • Google the aquahot website...download the shop manual. It has a step by step to troubleshoot the system properly. :) :)
  • You can turn off the switch on the outside of the heater if it has one and turn on the switch to see if it's the wiring. If it does'nt blow the breaker then it's the heater element.
  • Blown fuse...on the electrical side. Look in the compartment in front of the drivers side front wheel. If not there, look for a secondary fuse panel in the engine compartment..also when checking fuses, use a continuity tester, don't rely on eyeballing it......Dennis