clicking - water heater

[riltri]

When I turn on our Atwood water heater to electric, the converter clicks about every 3 seconds as if it is turning on/off. The w/h is definitely 110v and the breaker is not tripped and we are plugged into 50amp power. This is the only time that the converter makes this noise. Any ideas?

[2oldman]

riltri wrote:
. It is the water heater that is clicking!!!

That's usually the igniter trying to light gas.

[enblethen]

Clicking or arcing?

[riltri]

Hold everything. Just took more of the garage apart and was able to crawl in and stick my head between the two. It is the water heater that is clicking!!!

[riltri]

Thanks for the help!!!

2015 Coachmen Brookstone 315
Voltage 117 & 121
Converter is 12" from water heater
Clicking not buzzing....sounds like it is turning on then off but it does heat the water
Does it with battery ON & OFF
Batteries now OFF and still doing it
All breakers are ON and checked all fuses
It DOES stop clicking when water heater reaches temp
Hum, just tried it on propane and nothing happens. It worked last time we used it about a week ago.

[dougrainer]

What happens when the WH on 120 reaches temp and shuts the element OFF? Still clicks? Are you positive it is a click and not a "buzz". How close is the Converter to the WH? Have you taken a VOLT reading of the RV at the Breaker panel when this happens. Regardless of being on 50 amp power, you can still have LOW voltage at a CG. Doug

[Old-Biscuit]

riltri wrote:

2oldman wrote:
Ok, inverter or converter?

Converter..I fixed it...thanks

ETA: when I turn the converter breaker off, the W/H turns off

Don't know what Rig you have....but if 2004 or newer and your Water Heater is an Atwood then the 120VAC Electric Element is 'controlled' by the 12VDC System

WH Element is a 1400W 120VAC and draws 11.5A and should be on it's own 15A Circuit Breaker
Converter can pull roughly 5A when charging low batteries
Converter is commonly piggy backed onto 'REC' breaker (General Outlet Circuit)

[riltri]

2oldman wrote:
Ok, inverter or converter?

Converter..I fixed it...thanks

ETA: when I turn the converter breaker off, the W/H turns off

[2oldman]

Ok, inverter or converter?

[enblethen]

Water heater should not be wired through the inverter.
What is make and model of the rig?

Possible that low voltage occurs when turning on water heater causing inverter to switch to battery source.