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Old 06-18-2018, 11:29 AM   #1
awheeler
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Hot Water Heater -Smelled Burning Wire

I have read several post here on the forum, but have not found one (yet) that addresses my problem. 2017 Montana 3791RD - I smelled an electrical burning smell under the kitchen hutch cabinet next to the stove. The electric hot water heater had tripped a breaker. It works fine on the propane but not on electric. I have found out that it could be - the switch, heating element, thermostat, or relay. Since I did indeed smell electrical, where should I start to isolate the problem. I called a tech but they want upward of $300 to come out to look at the problem. So, I am going to try and fix it myself.


Any help will be greatly appreciated. We are leaving Florida on Sunday and would like to have it repaired before we leave.



Thank you in advance.
Ann Wheeler
 
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Old 06-18-2018, 11:40 AM   #2
jeffba
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It could be a number of things. Including a loose wire. You will just need to open it up and start troubleshooting. I would start by looking at the wiring. Most of the other issues should not cause a smell.
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Old 06-18-2018, 12:00 PM   #3
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Agree to start looking at the wiring you can see on the front of the WH first. If all those wires look good, then pop out the little black rocker switch on the bottom left corner (assuming it is a Suburban). The switch or the wiring on the back side of the switch may be the problem. If that all looks good, then you may be having to get to the back side of the WH where the wiring junction box is located. That may or may not require removing the WH depending on access.

Burned out heating element does not typically emit an odor since it is inside the WH.

Be sure power is off before sticking your hands in there.
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Old 06-18-2018, 12:12 PM   #4
awheeler
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Thank you!

Appreciate you! I will start this afternoon looking at the wiring. I do have a volt meter and I know enough to disconnect the power. I will post to let you know what I find.



Thanks again!
Ann
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Old 06-18-2018, 12:47 PM   #5
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If it is tripping the 110 volt breaker then you have a serious problem on the 110 side be very careful as you check things. you can disconnect the 110 power from the HW tank if it still trips the breaker then look at the feed wire coming from the breaker if it doesn't then start looking at the wiring at the tank use a volt meter to check for shorts.
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Old 06-19-2018, 04:35 AM   #6
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Here was my experience.
http://www.montanaowners.com/forums/...t=water+heater
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