Forum Discussion

DIVE2XS's avatar
DIVE2XS
Explorer
Oct 04, 2018

Atwood 10 gallon electric/gas water heater

Hi, I have gotten my tt back from the repair shop and took my family camping. I turned on the electric side of the water heater and no hot water. I ended up turning on the gas side and hot water. Looking at the circuit box I discovered a 15 amp circuit had tripped. Looking under the sink, I found out that one of the two post that the thermostats were hooked up to had not been replaced as expected. Part of the work that they were supposed to do was to reweld the post on so there was two posts for the thermostats to mount to.

1. Is there a way that I can weld or connect the post which looks like a screw to the water tank to hold the thermostats? I would sure like to do this without having to take the water tank out or my trailer to some other place so they would hopefully fix it.

2. What caused the water heater not to heat on the electric side? I am thinking that perhaps because the repair shop just hooked up the thermostats to one instead of two post that they somehow grounded out. I wonder if I'm going to have to look for another set of thermostats for that electric side?

Thanks in advance for your help!

3 Replies

  • DIVE2XS's avatar
    DIVE2XS
    Explorer
    Oct 05, 2018
    Thank you for your Response sir. I was trying to do this all from memory as I don't have my rig at home right now it's in storage. Trying to get a shopping list together on what I need to do to get things fixed. At this point Im a little angry and I'm thinking about going after him to fix and replace his problems that he caused for me.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Oct 04, 2018
    2003 Vintage RV so you have one of the last old style versions (2E/3E)....2004 models were incorporated to a DC Control Circuit

    Yours has separate controls, t-stats etc for each heat source
    The 120V AC is direct wiring....
    AC Power from a Circuit Breaker>>>>>to ON/OFF Switch>>>>>to set of t-stats (normal temp/high temp)>>>>>to element (On/Off switch/t-stats/element---on backside of WH Tank)
    15A CB tripped because of a short on the 120V AC circuit....most likely at the t-stats when repair guy was messing around with it with AC Power on

    No AC Heating
    Tripped Circuit Breaker
    Bad t-stats
    Bad element (should have continuity between black wire/white wire terminals W/O AC Power ON-------should NOT have continuity between white wire terminal and element flange)

    As for t-stat mounting...
    From your description the normal and high t-stats are on a mounting plate.
    AC wiring goes from one t-stat to other t-stat and plate is mounted to tank wall
    With only one mounting not sure if t-stats can be held tight against tank wall...if not the t-stats may not open/close at pre-set temps (N-140*F/H-180*F)



    IF you have decent access to backside of WH Tank.......mobile welder/or weld shop----someone that can weld aluminum---and have it fixed

    First I would reset that tripped 15A CB...water in WH Tank and try the AC Heating. If it heats then check water temps
    If 15A CB trips...then continuity tests thru both t-stats and element

    Set of t-stats.....Atwood 90037 (combo set...replaces the individual part numbers)
    Combo T-stat Kit

    Bolt on element....Atwood 91580
    Bolt on style

    Course parts may not be right ones if your model is different then suspected cause you didn't post what model you have?????????
  • garyemunson's avatar
    garyemunson
    Explorer II
    Oct 04, 2018
    This may help.
    https://www.gulfstreamcoach.com/media/uploads/1/11454_Atwood-Water-Heater-4-6-10-gallon-Manual.pdf

About Technical Issues

Having RV issues? Connect with others who have been in your shoes.24,348 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 13, 2026