Atwood Water Heater Troubleshooting & Repair | How to Fix an Atwood Water Heater In An Rv

Рет қаралды 54,915

4 жыл бұрын

Atwood Water Heater Troubleshooting & Repair | How to Fix an Atwood Water Heater In An Rv
In this extremely informative video, I explain how to fix and troubleshoot problems with an Atwood water heater model GC6AA10E. This video is not encouraging you to work on something you know nothing about. If you are not comfortable handling electricity then please call a professional! This video is only for informational purposes so DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME UNLESS YOU ARE A PROFESSIONAL!
First, I thought it was the heating element, which I show in great detail how to replace in this video. I come to find out later that the switch in the front of our RV wasn't getting 12 volts it needed to send to the circuit board, than to the thermostat, than to the relay to close it, and let 120 volts to the heating element. I restored the 12 volts to the switch and encountered another problem with the circuit board connections. I explain in great detail how the entire water heater system works from the circuit breaker box to the switch to the white 12 volt wire that goes to the circuit board, which powers the thermostats, and then the circuit board sends 12 volts through a yellow wire to the relay. Also, I will show you how to troubleshoot your water heater with a multimeter to figure out how to fix it. Don't do what I did and guess whats wrong with your water heater! I will show you whats wrong with it!
Fully Insulated Flag Wire Connector:
amzn.to/32IOBwq
Qibaok Weather Pack Crimper Tools Waterproof Connectors Crimping Tool:
amzn.to/3hvZENB
140 Pcs Car Standard Blade Fuse Assortment, 5A 7.5A 10A 15A 20A 25A 30A:
amzn.to/30Gw55v
American Zettler Power Relay for Atwood 93849 Water Heater Relay:
amzn.to/3eMAuss
Camco 5" Residential Screw-In Water Heater Element Wrench:
amzn.to/3hqINMd
ATWOOD 92249 HOT WATER HEATER ELEMENT SCREW-IN 1400W 110V/120V:
amzn.to/30AY5Hz
Atwood 91447 Thermostat Assembly:
amzn.to/30AMlol
Atwood 91226 RV Water Heater Control Circuit Board:
amzn.to/2ZVB3w5

Пікірлер: 71

@brianrussell5789 4 жыл бұрын

I want to thank everyone ahead of time for watching this video! If you learned something and appreciate the fact that I may have saved you money... LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE VIDEOS! Feel free to ask any questions!

@dougwhitney6854 3 ай бұрын

Dude, you were great - thank you so much! Mine must've been a loose connection as well :/

@brianrussell5789 3 ай бұрын

@@dougwhitney6854 so awesome! I’m honored I could help! Those dang connections !

@tomryan9616 Жыл бұрын

Brian you are the man!!! I have the same unit gc6aa-10e. I have the exact same problem. Thanks for the great detailed explanation.

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

glad to hear I helped out! Nobody should have to struggle with no hot water!

@melyoung5486 6 ай бұрын

Been searching for info for an hour. Yours was the most helpfull

@dylandeutschlander7044 7 ай бұрын

Mine just went out. Got a heating element just to be sure but going to attempt some tests tomorrow. Great vid👍🏻

@brianrussell5789 7 ай бұрын

Glad to hear I could be a help for you! Let me know how it goes!

@jesskerr661 Жыл бұрын

Dude honestly the best informational video Ive ever watched.. Thank you Thank you Thank you!

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

Thank you! I figured someone would appreciate the work I put into it!

@willierutledge1546 2 жыл бұрын

Best heater video I've ever seen.

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!

@johnturner4128 3 жыл бұрын

Well done. Thanks for the detail. Appreciate the effort on all of the detail.

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you JOHN! I'm glad I could help out! If you ever have any questions lmk!

@vserio707 Жыл бұрын

I'm having an issue with my relief valve opening and flooding the outside panel, putting out the flame I've tried reseting the air gap a few times. I'd really like to have hot showers back

@missjennylovely 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! :)

@brianrussell5789 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jennifer! I hope you learned something new by watching this video!

@RD-qd7xi 3 жыл бұрын

WOW!!! this has to be the best video out there right now. I've been trying to figure out my problem with mine. you done a great job explaining everything you were doing I do have one question for you, was the propane side working but not the electric, cause that is the problem im having with mine.

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

First of all, thank you for appreciating my efforts! YES!! My propane was still working! When you flick on the gas switch in the front (next to electric switch), it draws 12 volts from the fuse box and sends 12 volts through the orange wire (top connector) on your control board. That 12 volts coming from the orange wire sparks your igniter to the propane...If YOUR gas is working than that means YOUR orange wire has a good connection to the control board. That also means YOUR gas switch is getting power from YOUR fuse box! When you flick the electric switch, it draws 12 volt DC from the fuse box and it sends 12 volts through the white wire (top connector shown in video). That 12 volts goes through the control board, detects temp, and sends 12 volts through yellow wire which goes into your relay to open it and allow 120 volts to your heating element! Your best bet is to get a multimeter and see if your getting 12 volts through that white wire at the top with ELECTRIC SWITCH on. If theres not 12 VOLTS coming through that WHITE WIRE into your control board then you have a problem near the fuse box where the electric switch wire plugs to the 12 volt fuse panel box, the electric switch connection itself needs testing, or bad wire somewhere... If you ARE getting 12 volts through that white wire than it needs a good connection on that control board (lines up with the correct metal slot)... If you're getting 12 volts through that white wire when its connected and on you should hear power zip through it .. give it a good firm press and a gentle wiggle to see if it connects. With everything connected to the control board, test the yellow wire that comes out near the water heater from the bottom connector of the control board into the relay. That needs 12 volts to open the relay! I hope this helps!

@SpazzYettii 2 жыл бұрын

very helpful thanks!

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

Your welcome! Glad it helped

@tomcat501976 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, really great video on that Atwood hot water heater, I had a problem about two weeks ago while camping in our rv. Had no hot water and found the problem at the thermal fuse. It had a bad connection cleaned it off and then worked like a charm. Just wanted to ask what makes that whistling noise on the hot water heater, my does it too. This was a great video. I actually learned more about this hot water heater. Thanks a lot and I'm subscribed to your channel.

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

I’m really glad my video helped you and you enjoyed it! I appreciate the kind words!! Hot Showers are so important! LOL the whistle noise is either the heating element kicking on or it’s the relay sending electricity to the control board I want to say! Totally normal

@tomcat501976 3 жыл бұрын

@@brianrussell5789 Thank You.

@geraldtrudeau3223 3 жыл бұрын

that was a very good video, thank you.

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you liked this video! Your very welcome! It recently got clogged on the hot water side and I had to put a screen in there to block any sediment so there’s that too!

@geraldtrudeau3223 3 жыл бұрын

@@brianrussell5789 I really appreciated the detail that you went into on your video. I live full time in my 3750 Dutchman comfort trailer, and I'm 74 years old and I have disability problems, so when little things breakdown you can imagine they're not so little. And my water heater just recently quit on the electric side, so your explanation made it easy for me to diagnose the problem. And again I thank you very much. You never know when a seemingly inconsequential effort to make a video like this, can mean a great deal to other people.

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

@@geraldtrudeau3223 I really appreciate your gratitude 🙏 and I’m very glad it helped you! I didn’t really see a lot of explanation out there on the matter and and I spent weeks learning how it all worked from multiple sources so I figured someone eventually would appreciate it being in one video LOL! I like helping people so expect more videos to come when I feel they should be explained better!

@geraldtrudeau3223 3 жыл бұрын

@@brianrussell5789 That would be excellent.

@MattWhite-pg2ro 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for explaining the multi meter and how to set it up for the diagnosis

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! I didn’t have a dad to teach me these things either lol

@darrellallen1601 2 жыл бұрын

You're correct, Atwoods don't require an anode rod.

@shannondeleon5272 Жыл бұрын

Thank you gonna try this we got new element relay but didn’t know circuit board outside controlled electrical water heater to 😱

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

I tried replying to this comment twice already I’m so sorry. Idk what’s going on but I could have sworn I sent my messages. Lmk how things go or if you have any wuestions

@larryblatchford1038 3 жыл бұрын

When I ordered my thermostats from Amazon they arrived loose and could not figure out which was cold and which was hot one. Come to find out that the connectors on each are different sizes from each other. So when taking out the old one, replace with like for like one at a time. Brown wires are different connectors than the Red ones...Just a tip if it happens to you.

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

Yes absolutely correct! Thank you for sharing that! I remember being a little confused about the thermostats and I gathered so much info from so many different sources and I wasn’t even thinking about making a video about this until last minute when I realized I could probably help a lot of people if I put it all in one place... I have more coming in the works! I like solving problems myself and teaching so stay tuned and thanks again!

@brucealexander9024 3 жыл бұрын

Incredibly, no one ever chimed in on the plug/anode question...so I will. The Atwoods are, indeed, aluminum cased and do not need an anode. The original drain plugs are nylon and they should be replaced with the same nylon plug every time they are removed (they're cheap) because they are a safety feature that is designed to fail if the tank seriously overheats.

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

Wow! Thats really good to know! I will have to get a nylon plug because I'm not sure what material it is Lol

@mikeparsons5234 2 жыл бұрын

Hello, very informative video. I have an Atwood water heater G6A-7 in my travel trailer and I cant get any hot water to come out. Pilot and everything works as it should on the gas end. I also don't have a electric board on my water heater like yours. Do you know where I might find the heating Element? I've looked all over the tank and can't seem to find it. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

@brianrussell5789 2 жыл бұрын

I would need pictures! Go to my website thedjpro.co and contact me... There is a contact form you can email me your email with... I will help you if you can send me pictures!

@iammichaelhughes Жыл бұрын

Nice video. I recently purchased an older camper with a water heater that looks just like that one except it is a 10-gallon. Have had no luck getting it operational and I heard you say you have to have 12 volts. Does your trailer have an AC to DC converter or do you have to keep a battery charged on the trailer? I am at a fixed location on full electric not using the gas side either.

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

yes it did have a converter and yes you do need to keep the battery charged on the trailer. Especially if you dont have a converter to convert. I know it is super confusing but your best bet is to buy a multi meter from harbor freight for 10 bucks and start testing everything from the switch that turns the heater on to your battery. Follow the wire from your battery to your circuit board and make sure everythings connected. Unfortunately, thats what I had to do in order for me to understand how it all worked

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

You might want to see my other video on how the camper electrical system works... I think it will help you big time

@jeremydavis5031 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful video I’ve been having countless issues with my water heater. I have been checking my voltages on the wires outside and I’m only seeing .01 coming through my yellow wire. Would that indicate the board is faulty?

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

To be honest, it's been so long since I've worked on this thing but I do know that the board could not be turning on due to the switch or fuse panel its connected to... Since it's giving off .01 then I would assume its getting some sort of power. To be sure, you should check where the switch is to see if it's sending electricity to the board or the fuse panel its connected to

@jeremydavis5031 Жыл бұрын

Yeah I checked the fuse it was okay and my switch inside has power. Electric water heater is now working but randomly will stop working when the DSI fault throws. Have to do a whole electric reset and then it usually fires up on both. Anyways, I appreciate your help I’ll have to keep trouble shooting

@brianrussell5789 Жыл бұрын

@@jeremydavis5031 yea it sounds like your board is on its last stretch lol

@SandraWalters-h7t 21 күн бұрын

How do u turn water supply off to a Atwood mpd 93756 10 gal tank ?

@brianrussell5789 21 күн бұрын

if you are stationary at a park then usually you are connected to a hose outside. There should be somewhere to shut off the water coming into if you follow along the pipes to where they lead outside the trailer and then the hose that leads to the connection to where you water comes in at. Also, you may find valves that shut off the water close to the unit itself but I recommend to stop it from the source and allow pressure to release by opening up everything. Make sure the unit has no power to it or else you can damage it further. Only turn it back on when everythings ready and its filled up with water again

@brosa02 10 ай бұрын

Hi Brian, we have an Atwood in our 2016 trail runner. We went to the trailer this weekend and our water was smelling bad both cold and hot water… any idea what could be the problem? Thank you!

@brianrussell5789 10 ай бұрын

Could be the water itself or I would check the connections on the grey water tank and the main water tank to see if maybe something maybe got in it or somehow got intertwined. Other than that, you should be able to tell a difference if it’s a fecal smell, a rotting smell, or if it smells like stagnant water ?

@brosa02 10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for your reply and time! I will check that out :)

@FabianCharrua 2 жыл бұрын

Hello and thank you for the tips. The switch inside doesn't turn on (red light won't come on inside) so I assume the problem I have is that the switch inside is not sending 12V to power the board outside as I understand your findings. Based on your video I'm thinking is that fuse you show at min 9. That was so helpful! I have the RV rented out so my tenant is not very happy with me now :-( Any other possibility that switch doesn't come on? Thank you!!!

@brianrussell5789 2 жыл бұрын

Check the connections under the switch and then check the fuse. It might even be that circuit. I had to move my switch to a whole other circuit to work again so hope that helps!

@FabianCharrua 2 жыл бұрын

@@brianrussell5789 You're not going to believe what it was. Right when you walk in there is a regular GFI plug that had tripped. I pushed to reset it and all came back on. Somehow that receptacle is tied into the same circuit that feeds the On Off switch inside. Just bizarre! but thanks I learned a lot from your video.

@brianrussell5789 2 жыл бұрын

@@FabianCharrua I actually talk about that in my other video! You might want to check it out… it’s an easy breakdown on the electrical system of a travel trailer and it will help you big time. you eliminate problems easier.. go to my profile

@martindurkin5223 3 жыл бұрын

This might sound dumb, but how do you remove those panels?

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

Ask me any question you need! No question is dumb LOL. I assume you are talking about the panels that lead to the water heater. They were basically nailed or stapled to the inside of the panel which I had to tap very carefully and somewhat break the panel to get into it.. unless you can find a way better than me LOL... I wound up screwing it on and making my own panel afterwards 😂

@timward4952 Жыл бұрын

Atwood techs say no anoid rod.....Use a plasic plug....No electo action.

@marcuslane3 3 жыл бұрын

If not working on electric or gas would it be same problem?

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

There are a few other things to check first before pointing to the water heater needing a new control board. If you're not getting power from your fuse panel to your light switch then the light switch won't work. if your getting power from your fuse panel to your light switch (gas & electric switches) , are you getting power from your light switch to the circuit board? (coming out of white wire).... If your getting power coming out of that white wire with electric switch turned on than your control board should be taking that power and working with it.... Are you getting power coming out of the yellow wire in the video? My point is, if your not getting power from your fuse panel to that light switch then your water heater will never work.. you need a multimeter to test for 12 volts coming out of fuse panel, 12 volts coming into light switch with it on, 12 volts going into control board (white wire), and you need 120 volts (on electric mode) to power the heating element.... It seems like your not getting power at all coming from your fuse panel to power the circuit board! test for 12 volts like I did in the video! Please let me know if this helps or if you have any more questions

@marcuslane3 3 жыл бұрын

Getting power to gas & electric switch

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

@@marcuslane3 Ok and with electric turned on, are you getting 12 volts coming out of the yellow wire that goes into the relay? everything on?

@marcuslane3 3 жыл бұрын

@@brianrussell5789 havent went that far..but I do hear a slight hum when the switch is in the electric position...

@brianrussell5789 3 жыл бұрын

@@marcuslane3 thats a good sign! Go to your local parts store and look for a cheap multimeter that measures DC AND AC ... DIRECT CURRENT AND ALTERNATING CURRENT. I was confused about multimeters at one time but AC is household power (110-120 volts ) and DC is battery power (12volts) like a car..... A multimeter will measure this current and save a lot of troubles! Either that, or you'll be guessing at whats wrong with it! It could be the heating element ... if its an old system like mine, numerous things can go wrong with it at once like it did for me in the video... Everything that could have went wrong with mine went wrong and im glad i got it on video...