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ksbowman's avatar
ksbowman
Explorer II
Feb 03, 2017

Water heater wiring fire

Just a heads up. We took a trip in October to the Smokey Mountains and twice I noticed the water heater on electric was running till the water was boiling in the tank( at least that was what it sounded like). I turned the heater off for an hour or so and then it worked correctly. We are now in Florida and have been for 3 weeks and it was working fine. Then two nights ago I woke up at 3:30 am and smelled an acrid odor. We had the electric fire place on and I immediately thought it was over heating, as I got out of bed I could see smoke at the ceiling. Ran down and turned it off and saw smoke coming from the panel that is in front of the water heater. By the time I tore it off the smoke had got 1 1/2- 2' thick at the ceiling. I heard water running (thank goodness) and as I removed the panel the WH bypass hose had a hole burned in it and it was extinguishing the flames. Burned all wiring, plastic junction box and half the Styrofoam off of the WH. Bottom line if you notice any abnormalities with your WH have it checked out even if it straightens up. We were extremely fortunate.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2017
    garyemunson wrote:
    ... you were lucky it dd not stick again and start a fire!


    We had the camper for 7 more years after that happened. Never had another issue. :)
  • garyemunson's avatar
    garyemunson
    Explorer II
    Feb 03, 2017
    Dutchman...the thermostat should have been replaced also. The element failing will not cause continuous heating. The element failed because the thermostat stuck and continued sending power to the element after the water was at the correct temperature. No doubt the same problem the original poster had. Just like his worked again for a while after the 1st problem, you were lucky it dd not stick again and start a fire!
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2017
    I had a similar situation shortly after we purchased our Springdale TT (like 2007 ish). We had this burning smell start radiating through the trailer. Because it was nightfall, I thought it was a neighbor camper burning trash in their fire pit. My wife kept insisting something was not right.

    Sure enough, the smell was coming from only inside the camper. Fortunately, the water heater had easy access, under the rear bunk bed. I lifted up the bed and sure enough, smoke.

    Well, we had no hot water on electric for the rest of that trip. But once home figured out what the problem was. The heating element failed and continued heating, would not shut off. It melted the insulation on the wires, and that's what the smell was. Electrical burn has a unique smell.

    Pulled the old heating element and replaced it. Replaced some of the melted wires, and all was well after that until we sold the camper. There was nothing we could that would have prevented this, it's something that just happened.

    Glad the OP caught the problem before it cause more serious problems.



  • ksbowman's avatar
    ksbowman
    Explorer II
    Feb 03, 2017
    Gordonthree, The smoke alarm went of just as my feet hit the floor. Funny it goes off if I don't use the exhaust fan when cooking breakfast, so it is sensitive. Oldbiscuit, It is a Atwood, GC 6aa- 10ee gas/electric.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Feb 03, 2017
    Glad no extreme damage or injuries.

    Like you stated........first signs of abnormal issues (with ANY appliances/components) get it checked out.

    Brand/model/year of WH :H
  • mileshuff's avatar
    mileshuff
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2017
    Our WH has a thermal fuse in the wiring behind the panel. If theres a fire inside there it will blow quick and shut the WH off.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2017
    Close one!

    Better question, why wasn't your smoke alarm going off if smoke was visible on the ceiling?
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Feb 03, 2017
    Hi Limit temp. clik stat failure? Over temp/ pressure valve also failed?
    To see 2 safeties fail is serious. Good to read you are safe.
    Tell us the diagnosis

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