I was hooking up my class A Winnie coach to an electrical panel as I have done numerous times before with no problem. This time I was distracted and I hooked it up wrong. Considering I have done a bunch of electrical work in the past, I completely disregarded the fact that I was working with a 120V coach, and did what was natural with the heavy wires I was holding. OH Yeah!! I sent 240V into the 120V coach. I am OK with replacing the old TVs. The microwave... Fine. I'll get a new one. The only remaining issue is the water heater.How much of the gas/electric water heater do I need to replace? Is it just an element, a control board, or the whole thing? I currently get nothing when I try to use it in either mode. I haven't even opened the access panel yet to see. I would rather have parts in hand when I get started.By the way, No amount of teasing can compare to how badly I cussed myself out once I realized my mistake.

Probably just the water heater element. Still should run fine on propane.Check the converter that charges the battery.Absorption fridge also has an electric heater.

If the water heater was not ON, then no damage. If ON, then only the 120 element "may" be damaged. Doug

Every combination Gas/Electric hot water heater that I've seen have totally independent systems for the line voltage section and the LP section.Line voltage side is simply a line voltage T'stat and a line voltage High-Limit, no control board. Any damage would most likely be the element.LP section is powered by the 12 V battery system. Incorrect power to coach does not seem likely to have affected it.Doug

My vote: BEST THREAD TITLE OF THE YEAR AWARDPersonal Highlights for your enjoyment..."Nahhh I don't need to disconnect battery bank negative when connecting this sixteen diode 32 volt 120 amp alternata.....NYATTTT ZOOT CRACKLE POOF" Back to the rebuilding bench with a personal cumulo nimbus sparkling and raining on my head""Ah jeez, I don't wanna walk all the way back to the shop and get my meter to see if these two wires are 120...I'll just touch them to this here light bul...KA POW!""I wonder if this Dodge alternator is spinning full fielded open circui....SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!" (270+ volts)"Damn and I cudda swore that rectifier bridge was negative ground""That figures. It comes from China. Deader 'n a doornail. Oooooooo what's that little slider switch way down in that slot on the side? 220/115 what the hey?" Oh by the way the great revelation came the week after I cursed the power supply.MANURE HAPPENS.Keeps me humble and grumbling at myself.GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FIXES. JOIN THE CROWD :)

Of course the water heater was on when I did this. I reset the tripped breakers a few times to make sure I completely fried things, just in case they survived the first surge. I believe I will purchase a new element and install it. In the event that works, I will wait until the new element heats the water just short of boiling and then stick my hand into it to test it. Seems fair.

OK, I was stupid. FINE ! | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
Making no mistakes means a person is doing nothing and learning less than nothing IMHO. Reminders like yours are useful for people like me. So thank you.
dtappy3353
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
I did the same thing a few months ago.

Fried converter and microwave only. AC, refer and h/w ok.

FIL installed the rv service on side of house for 240 instead of 120. He forgot and I handn't tested it as he is the perfectionist.

Upgraded converter and installed new microwave.

We don't take things for granted anymore. On the other hand, it could've been worse.

We are thankful!

dt
Carving_King
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
Of course the water heater was on when I did this. I reset the tripped breakers a few times to make sure I completely fried things, just in case they survived the first surge.
I believe I will purchase a new element and install it. In the event that works, I will wait until the new element heats the water just short of boiling and then stick my hand into it to test it. Seems fair.
Carving_King
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
Of course the water heater was on when I did this. I reset the tripped breakers a few times to make sure I completely fried things, just in case they survived the first surge.
I believe I will purchase a new element and install it. In the event that works, I will wait until the new element heats the water just short of boiling and then stick my hand into it to test it. Seems fair.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
My vote: BEST THREAD TITLE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Personal Highlights for your enjoyment...

"Nahhh I don't need to disconnect battery bank negative when connecting this sixteen diode 32 volt 120 amp alternata.....

NYATTTT ZOOT CRACKLE POOF" Back to the rebuilding bench with a personal cumulo nimbus sparkling and raining on my head"

"Ah jeez, I don't wanna walk all the way back to the shop and get my meter to see if these two wires are 120...I'll just touch them to this here light bul...

KA POW!"

"I wonder if this Dodge alternator is spinning full fielded open circui....

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEECH!" (270+ volts)

"Damn and I cudda swore that rectifier bridge was negative ground"

"That figures. It comes from China. Deader 'n a doornail. Oooooooo what's that little slider switch way down in that slot on the side? 220/115 what the hey?" Oh by the way the great revelation came the week after I cursed the power supply.

MANURE HAPPENS.

Keeps me humble and grumbling at myself.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FIXES. JOIN THE CROWD :)
doughere
Explorer
Jan 23, 2015
Every combination Gas/Electric hot water heater that I've seen have totally independent systems for the line voltage section and the LP section.

Line voltage side is simply a line voltage T'stat and a line voltage High-Limit, no control board. Any damage would most likely be the element.

LP section is powered by the 12 V battery system. Incorrect power to coach does not seem likely to have affected it.

Doug
dougrainer
Nomad
Jan 23, 2015
If the water heater was not ON, then no damage. If ON, then only the 120 element "may" be damaged. Doug
time2roll
Nomad
Jan 23, 2015
Probably just the water heater element. Still should run fine on propane.

Check the converter that charges the battery.
Absorption fridge also has an electric heater.

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OK, I was stupid. FINE !

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