Atwood water heater high pitch noise

[chiefward]

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.

[Lynnmor]

dougrainer wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
Yes, some noise from an electric heating element is normal. An increase in noise level can indicate a failing element.

A check valve is often installed with a winterizing system that has the one valve method.

Heating Elements do NOT make any noise. What makes you state such a thing? Doug

I have had electric water heaters nearly all of my life, they DO make noise. While some say it is the buildup of scale on the element, I have had noise from brand new elements, and with my water there is no buildup anyway. Google: "electric water heater hissing noise"

[Lynnmor]

dougrainer wrote:

Lynnmor wrote:
Yes, some noise from an electric heating element is normal. An increase in noise level can indicate a failing element.

A check valve is often installed with a winterizing system that has the one valve method.

Heating Elements do NOT make any noise. What makes you state such a thing? Doug

I have had electric water heaters nearly all of my life, they DO make noise. While some say it is the buildup of scale on the element, I have had noise from brand new elements, and with my water there is no buildup anyway. Google: "electric water heater hissing noise"

[dougrainer]

Lynnmor wrote:
Yes, some noise from an electric heating element is normal. An increase in noise level can indicate a failing element.

A check valve is often installed with a winterizing system that has the one valve method.

Heating Elements do NOT make any noise. What makes you state such a thing? Doug

[Lynnmor]

Yes, some noise from an electric heating element is normal. An increase in noise level can indicate a failing element.

A check valve is often installed with a winterizing system that has the one valve method.

[dougrainer]

chiefward wrote:
As far as I know I don't have any check valves on my water heater. This high pitch noise I hear only started on my last trip which was the first of the year. Also, I don't hear the noise on gas. ( I have a very quiet operation on gas.) Anyway, thanks for the info. You eased my mind.

Your LP flame is NOT adjusted to spec, if you state you have a quiet operation. Doug

[chiefward]

As far as I know I don't have any check valves on my water heater. This high pitch noise I hear only started on my last trip which was the first of the year. Also, I don't hear the noise on gas. ( I have a very quiet operation on gas.) Anyway, thanks for the info. You eased my mind.

[dougrainer]

Dr Jay wrote:
Winnebago has 2 check valves on the hotwater tank one each on the input and output sides

But not needed unless the system has a hybrid water heater bypass system. Very few OEM's put the check valves in and the ones that do, usually put it on the Input cold inlet. There is no need for the check valves. There are some local Government Plumbing regs that state to have both check valves or even the one. California used to have such a Regulation and RV's built there had to have both check valves. Once California changed the regulation as it relates to RV's, those OEM's stopped installing the check valves, BECAUSE they were tired of customer complaints about the whining sound caused when you have 2 restrictions(2 check valves) on the Water Heaters. Doug

[Dr_Jay]

Winnebago has 2 check valves on the hotwater tank one each on the input and output sides

[dougrainer]

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

[enblethen]

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

[catkins]

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]

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]

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.