Water Heater Element

Chris Bryant wrote:
When you install it, are you making sure the loop winds up vertical, and not horizontal?

No. It only screws in one way?? I am like Doug I guess and maybe not understanding what you mean???

Old-Biscuit wrote:
How are you determining elements are BAD?

Mine Atwood 10 gallon elec/gas is 10 yrs old and same OEM element.

Only reason for them to burn out is energized w/o enough water to completely submerge them

Our first notice is we don't have hot water and in trouble shooting and pulling the element out is is always burnt in two or a hole burnt in it. We have also checked it with an ohm meter

Just a thought, but there may be an air lock preventing an empty tank from filling fully, so I would turn on a hot water faucet and make sure a full flow of water is achieved before declaring that the tank is full.

Also, when not in use, I keep a piece of tape over the 120VAC switch in an off position. This ensures that I don't accidently leave it on and hook up 120V power even for a second.

By any chance do you keep water in the heater when parked for period of time that could accumulate lime buildup on the element?

Also do you ever run the tank empty where the element would be allowed to heat without water around it?

dougrainer wrote:

Chris Bryant wrote:
When you install it, are you making sure the loop winds up vertical, and not horizontal?

OK Chris, I will play. HOW and WHY would that be a factor? How would you make sure it is either? Unless it is a OLD 4 bolt in system, it would be difficult to thread it in and make sure of the orientation. I would suspect they are NOT using Atwood parts. Doug

Doug, that's how I have been taught by the factory training. If you look at the element, you will see it is indexed by the writing- easy to align it correctly.

If the loop is korizontal, trash short the element.

Chris Bryant wrote:
When you install it, are you making sure the loop winds up vertical, and not horizontal?

OK Chris, I will play. HOW and WHY would that be a factor? How would you make sure it is either? Unless it is a OLD 4 bolt in system, it would be difficult to thread it in and make sure of the orientation. I would suspect they are NOT using Atwood parts. Doug

When you install it, are you making sure the loop winds up vertical, and not horizontal?

How are you determining elements are BAD?

Mine Atwood 10 gallon elec/gas is 10 yrs old and same OEM element.

Only reason for them to burn out is energized w/o enough water to completely submerge them