My Atwood water heater model GC6AA-10E makes a high pitch noise when operating on electric. Is that a sign that the heating element is going bad? (Is producing hot water.) The heating element is on the back side of the unit and very difficult to get to. Any suggestions on removing and replacing the element would be appreciated.

That whine is NORMAL. It does the same thing on LP, but you have a hard time hearing it because of the roar of the flame. Elements will not make any noise at all, regardless if operating or going bad. DougFrom Atwood.We do not have anything formally written up. This is not a defect with the water heater or components. We have a new potting on the circuit board and new circuitry underneath that causes a humming noise. This is normal in operations, and will not affect the water heater's function or any components.

Had a very similar problem with my Atwood. The noise was corrected by replacing my two one-way check valves. The noise was loud and occurred weather it was propane, electric or both.

Dr Jay wrote:Had a very similar problem with my Atwood. The noise was corrected by replacing my two one-way check valves. The noise was loud and occurred weather it was propane, electric or both.Friends has same issue, same repair, same result. Their noise was loud not and not a little hum.

Does it make the noise only while running hot water? If yes, Check valve on tank.

Dr Jay wrote:Had a very similar problem with my Atwood. The noise was corrected by replacing my two one-way check valves. The noise was loud and occurred weather it was propane, electric or both.READ the post! He was NOT running water. Your problem only happened when you ran water. HIS problem is the whine the circuit board produces when heating on 120 electric. And your problem was not a Atwood fault, but the OEM that installed the check valves. You only need the check valve on the OUTPUT hot exit of the water heater. Unless you have a hybrid water heater bypass system, you do not need the check valves at all. If you want to use check valves install the larger BRASS valves. They have the 1/2 inch threads, but the check valve needle is larger than the plastic ones and will not produce that noise. The noise is caused by the water trying to rush past a too small path. Doug

Atwood water heater high pitch noise | Good Sam Community

catkins
Explorer II
Apr 14, 2018
Dr Jay wrote:
Had a very similar problem with my Atwood. The noise was corrected by replacing my two one-way check valves. The noise was loud and occurred weather it was propane, electric or both.

Friends has same issue, same repair, same result. Their noise was loud not and not a little hum.
Dr_Jay
Explorer
Apr 14, 2018
Had a very similar problem with my Atwood. The noise was corrected by replacing my two one-way check valves. The noise was loud and occurred weather it was propane, electric or both.
dougrainer
Nomad
Apr 14, 2018
That whine is NORMAL. It does the same thing on LP, but you have a hard time hearing it because of the roar of the flame. Elements will not make any noise at all, regardless if operating or going bad. Doug

From Atwood.

We do not have anything formally written up. This is not a defect with the water heater or components. We have a new potting on the circuit board and new circuitry underneath that causes a humming noise. This is normal in operations, and will not affect the water heater's function or any components.

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Atwood water heater high pitch noise

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