Lesson Learned - Know about your Water Heater 2amp fuse

[Vanteer]

We had a fantastic time on our 54 night, 38 stops, trip from Oceanside Calif to Washington DC and back. All planned using RV Trip Wizard. Cannot say enough good things about that program, well worth the membership fee. But back to the topic of this post. How many of you know that there is a little 2amp fuse on many of our water heaters. At lest on the newer models. We found out the hard way.

About 12 days into our trip, we no longer had hot water. Neither the gas or the electric would fire off. I called Grand Design Custom support, and they walked me through checking the thermal fuse, but that was just fine. My rep then told me my only option was to find a mobile service tech, or any dealer other than Camping World. What a nightmare that was. The RV dealer at my next stop in Memphis TN, (right next to our RV park), was very unsympathetic and said they were booked out 3 weeks, so sooo sorry...... Next I called a few mobile techs, and finally found one that would try his best to come to my location in Memphis the next day.

So off we went the next morning to our next stop EZ Daze RV park inn Southaven MS. A 4 hour drive. As we were driving through Arkansas, I turned to my wife, and asked her to do a Google search for GD dealers. She started looking, and in a few minutes said "Hey, there is one really close to us right now, "Moix RV Supercenter". I looked up and there on the left side of the freeway was a huge sign, "MOIX RV". And to the right was the exit. It was about noon, as we drive up to the dealers lot. A very friendly mechanic getting ready for his lunch, listen to my plight, and said, let's go find the service manager. I told him about my broken water heater, and he asked me "Did you check the 2 amp fuse on the water heater control panel?". My reply "There is a 2 amp fuse???" He and his co-workers (three of them), walked out to my trailer, pulled out the 2 amp fuse, yep it was blown. He said any minor power surge can blow this fuse. Its job is to protect the control panel. (Yes I have a surge protector) He put in a new fuse, we tested the gas, and presto, all working as expected. No charge, no hassle, great set of folks at Moix RV. I tiped them 20$ for some beer after work. Seems they are the largest GD dealers in the area. I must say, my wife and I were very happy to have hot water again.

So, please, check your water heater, compare to the attached picture. See if you have the model with the control panel and 2 amp fuse. If so, be sure you carry a spare or two.

I have to say, I was very disappointed in GD's over the phone trouble shooting. How they do not have "check the 2 amp fuse" in their trouble shooting flow chart is beyond me. Much easier step then checking the thermal fuse. Plus if your 45 dollar thermal fuse blows it's a major issue, as it means your thermostats are defective.

Bob

[FlyStar]

Thanks Bob. Great info!!

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I never even knew that little 2A fuse was in there. Thanks for posting!
Going to make sure I have a couple.

[FjClay]

The thermal cutoff on the back of the water heater isn’t $45 and very easy to replace. It’s the most common failure on a lot of water heaters, mine included. I bought a 4 pack on Amazon for about $15.

[WhittleBurner]

@Vanteer , Great info, thanks.

Which water heater do you have ? Also do you knnow if this fuse is on the other heaters?

[Vanteer]

The thermal cutoff on the back of the water heater isn’t $45 and very easy to replace. It’s the most common failure on a lot of water heaters, mine included. I bought a 4 pack on Amazon for about $15.

That was the dealer price, so good he was out of stock. I will check out that 4 pack on Amazon.

[Vanteer]

@Vanteer , Great info, thanks.

Which water heater do you have ? Also do you knnow if this fuse is on the other heaters?

I have the Dometci WH-6GEA. As to other units sorry no idea.

[Kanadakid]

RObear

Good stuff. As a new GD owner this is the stuff I need to know......Don/Kid

[GNRWhite]

Great info Vanteer. Thanks for sharing!

[curtist1]

Moix is the best around have bought 6 campers from them over about 25 years they have a camp moix camp out with 4 to 5 trips all over the usa ,they been doing this for years also had 2 GD rally's service is the best oh on these trips they take part of the service dept with them