Atwood water heater breaker tripping

zackyboy3rs wrote:
Today breaker has tripped twice. Just now it stayed on for 2-3hours and then tripped. 50amp. Ac not running. Nothing in camper running expect lights. Could it be heating element? Thermostat? Can I just run it off of LP?

2015 Atwood combo electric/gas uses the SAME set of t-stats for electric & propane......same circuit board-----same DC controls

Only thing separate is the 120V AC for electric element
If that individual CB for water heater is tripping then problem is with the electric element circuit
Either the AC wiring at the DC Relay, the wiring on the element or the element itself.

All of that is located in same place.....under the protective cover on backside of WH Tank (inside the RV)

Access can be easy Or really tight/difficult depending on the RV MFG and where WH is installed.

Propane can be used as heating source ----it just uses DC & Propane to function


Testing of element: 120V AC Power ON (CAUTION)
Use voltmeter and check that you have 120V AC between HOT (Black Wire) and NEUTRAL (White wire) on the element terminals

(Electric Switch ON and water temp below 110*F to controls are calling for HEAT)


Testing of element: NO AC POWER
Check continuity between Black Wire and White Wire Terminals on element
NO CONTINUITY------ELEMENT is BAD

Check continuity between White Wire Terminal and element flange
CONTINUITY-ELEMENT is SHORTED