Replace water heater element on Itasca 35L

On my water heater, there's a high temp shut-off relay, near the element, that has tripped a couple of times. Pushing in the button has put it back to normal.

Before pulling it out, please, please do a continuity check thru the element itself, the limit switches and possible resets on the switches and the possibility of a hidden rocker switch in the water heater itself. As posted above, I was all set to replace my element (possibly the most prone to failure) but did the continuity check and found the hidden switch and it was at fault. Good luck, hope my good luck spreads to you.

I know where all the parts are located and have the new element. I was hoping someone on here had actually done this on this particular model MH. It looks like the water heater will need to be removed to do the job. It is complicated by the outside compartment door, the location of the access panel and the fact that it has the engine heat exchanger.

As usual, I guess I will just have to figure it out the hard way.

Thanks-- Mick

If you have an Atwood WH the electric element is on backside of tank under a cover.
There will be a 12V DC relay (fed from ON/OFF switch----fused circuit from DC Dist. Panel)....relay is used to activate the 120V AC going to element which is fed from a Circuit Breaker in AC Panel. 1400W element used.
Need access to backside of WH.......if none then whole WH has to be removed from outside-----propane disconnected, frame screws removed, pull water heater out enough to disconnect DC and AC wiring then complete removal so element can be accessed.





If you have a Suburban WH the electric element is under small cover behind burner tube in outside compartment.
120V AC directly to element form Circuit Breaker in AC Panel. 1440W element used

My Atwood water heaters elec heating element is located in the rear of the unit. There is a panel underneath that seems to allow access but not very much room.
Caution: I thought me element was bad and in further checking, I found a rocker on/off switch inline with the electrical feed. I see no reason for the switch because its sealed in the compartment but, it was at fault. I just removed the two wires and used a wire nut to make connection and cured my problem.

Also need to see how water heater was installed. Don't know about your coach but I had a journey and the water heater had to be removed from the coach to get access to the heating element. The heater was installed such that there was no access to the element.

Remove cover, losten and remove the two wires. Unscrew electeic element. Reverse procedure with new element!
Since Winebago does not make water heaters, you first need to determine make and model of heater. Then a trip to your local big box store to purchase the correct element.