Water heater clattering

If a new heating element is severely corroded after a few weeks, you probably have electrical problems causing a current to flow through the water between the element and tank. Test the voltage between the tank and the frame with the heating element energized and de energized, use alternating current and direct current scales. All reading should be 0.

De-energize the entire system, AC and DC them check the resistance from tank to frame, it should be 0 ohms, if not, install a ground wire from tank to the frame, use 12 gauge or bigger wire.

If a circuit breaker blows when you re energize the system, look for a hot wire on that circuit rubbing against the tank.

Also check the voltage on the element when heating to make sure you are not putting 220 volts on a 110 volt element.

Tashajo wrote:
We just bought the camper in July and are dealing with the previous owners neglect. We flushed out the tank and replaced the element. Now to see if it works. It was very badly corroded.

Do you have a Suburban Water Heater?

Badly corroded electric element suggests lack of an anode rod AND lack of any routine flushing of tank

We just bought the camper in July and are dealing with the previous owners neglect. We flushed out the tank and replaced the element. Now to see if it works. It was very badly corroded.

1. Replacing elements 2 or 3 times in 4 months is extreme. They last for YEARS
2. Since you have replaced the elements and it appears, NO noise until you did this indicates your elements are probably not OEM quality AND correct Length. Where did you get your elements? Local HD or Lowes/Ace Hardware? If so, odds are they are LONGER than required and maybe touching the back of the tank interior pick up tube and that is causing the noise on Heat Cycle.
3. You need to remove the Drain plug and do a complete flush of the inner tank.
4. I would get the Atwood or Suburban(whichever brand you have) OEM element and compare to the ones you have installed. Doug

dougrainer wrote:

Tashajo wrote:
The water themperature hasn't changed at all. And this would be the third element put in since July if I have to replace it. Im going to drain and flush the tank out and hopefully that fixes it. If not I'll get another new element. Last time it went out it never made a noise just stopped working.

If you have replaced 3 elements in 4 months, you have other problems. Possibly too high voltage to the RV or you do indeed need to flush the water heater tank. Elements will last years, unless you are buying cheap aftermarket elements or elements that are NOT built and the CORRECT length for an RV water Heater. LENGTH maybe your problem. Maybe you have one that is TOO LONG and it is rubbing on the back end of the Tank. Doug

^^^^ This, or you are turning on the WH before it is full of water, and burning out the elements, but that doesen't explain the noise issue.

Tashajo wrote:
Would the check valve make noise when it's heating or just when the water is running? I can run water through and it makes no noise till it starts heating again, then it sounds like an angry coffee pot.

Ours and another Host, both only made noise while drawing water.

Tashajo wrote:
The water themperature hasn't changed at all. And this would be the third element put in since July if I have to replace it. Im going to drain and flush the tank out and hopefully that fixes it. If not I'll get another new element. Last time it went out it never made a noise just stopped working.

If you have replaced 3 elements in 4 months, you have other problems. Possibly too high voltage to the RV or you do indeed need to flush the water heater tank. Elements will last years, unless you are buying cheap aftermarket elements or elements that are NOT built and the CORRECT length for an RV water Heater. LENGTH maybe your problem. Maybe you have one that is TOO LONG and it is rubbing on the back end of the Tank. Doug

Our electric WH did this in our old house. It made a crackling sound when heating. Almost like popcorn popping. It told me it was time to flush the WH. We had hard well water. Calcium deposits would build up on the element, flake off and build up on the bottom.

The water themperature hasn't changed at all. And this would be the third element put in since July if I have to replace it. Im going to drain and flush the tank out and hopefully that fixes it. If not I'll get another new element. Last time it went out it never made a noise just stopped working.

Would the check valve make noise when it's heating or just when the water is running? I can run water through and it makes no noise till it starts heating again, then it sounds like an angry coffee pot.