Forum Discussion

lauravanb's avatar
lauravanb
Explorer
Aug 04, 2015

Can't figure out this water heater...


We have an Atwood water heater, model G6A-8E. I can get it to run perfectly well off LP, but when we are hooked up to power I'd like to use that instead. I believe this model can run off of either but so far we have been unable to get it going with electric. To start it on LP all I do is turn the LP to "on" on the indicator panel, no switches to switch, it just does its own thing and fires up. There are two toggle switches that we suspect have something to do with engaging the electric, but flipping them has no effect on the water tank. One is on the unit under the sink, and one is on the side of the cabinet. The dealer said the latter was to use electric but alas, it does nothing. We have considered that we may need to replace the coil, but there does not appear to be even an attempt on the machine's part to start electrically. Pics of switches below:
  • DOTLDaddy's avatar
    DOTLDaddy
    Nomad
    Aug 04, 2015
    Uh . . . . I hate to be redundant, but according to the model#, that water heater is LP only. :)
  • csamayfield55x's avatar
    csamayfield55x
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Darryl&Rita wrote:
    Does anyone see an electric element in the first pic? I must be missing it.


    Almost looks like the electrical element is in the back of the heater under the switch cover.

    Chris
  • TakingThe5th's avatar
    TakingThe5th
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Electric water heaters use enough power that they may have a dedicated breaker on the electric panel. Chris mentioned that breaker - this might mean you actually have three "switches" to check.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Aug 04, 2015
    There is a limit switch behind the metal cover on the rear- it has a small hole to access it. Turn both other switches off and try resetting it, then both switches must be on, as well as the breaker (and the red light should come on when the cabinet switch is turned on).
    Behind that metal cover is the thermostat and heating element.
  • DOTLDaddy's avatar
    DOTLDaddy
    Nomad
    Aug 04, 2015
    According to Atwood, that model is LP only. I believe the "e" in the model name simply refers to the fact that it has electronic ignition, versus a pilot.

    Atwood manual
  • Darryl_Rita's avatar
    Darryl_Rita
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Does anyone see an electric element in the first pic? I must be missing it.
  • Captain_Happy's avatar
    Captain_Happy
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    Also check to have sure the wire hasn't burned off the switch on the unit itself, and maybe the switch on the cabinet many be bad. That happened to mine once. Like others have stated, check the element with an OHM meter.
  • csamayfield55x's avatar
    csamayfield55x
    Explorer
    Aug 04, 2015
    It probably has a burned out element. If you have a multimeter you can check the element leads and look for resistance.Make sure power is off when you do this If there is resistance then you need to check for voltage. If you are not comfortable around electricity then get someone who is. Those are live 120 volt and will reach out and bite you

    Chris

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