Water heater problems

Judithandian
Judithandian Forum Participant Posts: 6
edited April 2017 in Caravans #1

my 2007 bailey ranger has a trauma water heater that keeps popping the 13p fuse located in the pull out slot incorporated in th on off switch for the water heater.

the water temp seems a lot hotter than normal then the fuse pops 

any ideas please

Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #2

    The most likely explanation is that the heating element has developed a fault and needs replacing. However, whatever the cause, it is unwise to keep on using it if it is continually blowing fuses. Personally I would switch to gas until I could get it checked out. 

    I am also uncertain why it needs a 13 amp fuse. If this fuse just covers the water heater this is way too large. On our previous van our heater element was rated at 900 watts, so a 5 amp would have been adequate, although perhaps a 10 amp would have been used.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2017 #3

    On the fuse issue, it may be because my fuse stocks are ancient ( like me☹️) and I have those amperages. I do only recal seeing 3 and 13 amp recently.

  • markflip
    markflip Forum Participant Posts: 177
    edited April 2017 #4

    I concur with Steve that a faulty element is the likely cause, on older elements, I believe the 'thermostat' is built in, which might explain the 'overheating' of the water you describe.

     

    I'd be a bit concerned that it's blowing a 13A fuse (suggests a complete short circuit) and not tripping the rcd or the circuit breaker, but it is possible for the internal insulation to break down within the element, reducing the resistance and thus increasing the current it draws.  This often happens if they are accidentally turned on 'dry' and warp.

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