Water Heater Fail

[SC RVer]

The electric portion of water heater has failed. I have replaced the control board and by the 12v relay at rear of tank seems to work (click heard when switched on). Dometic & Jackson Center think it is the heating element. There is a fixed panel blocking the removal of the element which will require removal of heater to replace the element. Has anyone else had a similar issue (removal to repair) and what issues are there to be aware of? I have a mobile tech that can perform warranty work on Dometic products but not sure he is up to the task.

[jaybauman]

Are you sure you have to remove the unit to access the back side? I had to replace heating element on my 2019 Flying Cloud 30 bunk. In my case, the heating element was accessed on the backside of the unit, which entailed disassembling the rear bed. The included removing about 20 wood screws to remove the bed frame and then removing the styrofoam insulation around the water heater.

Once you can get your eyes and hands on the heating element, it's a very very easy swap. You will need a water heater element socket. If you don't have one, you can find them for about $7 in any hardware/bigbox store that sells heating elements. And speaking of elements...RV water heaters use standard household elements. Pick something that is 120V and the same (or close) wattage.

1. Disconnect all power from the trailer. Ensure you have electrical isolation.
2. Remove electric leads from old element.
3. Use special socket to unscrew element from the unit
4. Prepare to have about a gallon of water on your floor. These units are designed to hold a small amount of water so the element is never able to dry out (they tend to fracture and/or short when they get hot when dry).
5. Screw in new element. Tighten with socket
6. Attach electric leads
7. Reassemble your trailer
8. Celebrate with generous-size alcoholic libation of your preference
9. Post on Facebook and Instagram about your awesome DIY skills

Good luck. You got this.

[waninae39]

It is very common. The circuit board is a bad design.

Most people forget about the oem board and get a dragon board.

I did that after my 3rd oem board died all in 1 year

[lsbrodsky]

No, my 25 is the same way. AS could have installed the fixed panel with latches, but they pocket screwed 4 screws into the panel and I almost used my Sawzall on them. Instead i had to remove the water heater 3/4 of the way out to be able to access the back of it with some contortions. Make sure you have an element wrench and look at the electrical connections while you are there. Mine were improperly connected.
Larry