Water Heater Element Replacement

Dtmcabbey

New Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2018
Messages
2
I have a 2018 2500RL and I’ve ran my hot water heater on electric with no water in it so it looks like I need to replace the element. I’ve looked at the back of the hot water heater and it looks like I need to remove the hot water heater for the repair. Is this correct and does anyone have instructions on this?
 
Welcome to the forum!

What particular water heater do you have? Pictures might help, but usually you have to pull it out. Sometimes you can figure a way to get access to the back side, but it’s usually tight. Removing the water lines is usually required either way, so that would be the first step either way.
 
My Momentum has the water heater element pretty much accessible. Knowing what model, and pictures, as mentioned would be helpful.
 
I'm replacing the relay on our water heater in our 303 which is in the same location as the element. As Howard said it will depend on the model. On our 303 there are drawers next to where the water heater is. Taking out the bottom drawer gives me access with a lot of room to work. One thing to keep in mind when doing the element is after you drain the heater there will still be at least a gallon of water still in it which will come out when you pull the element. So be ready to clean that up immediately.
 
Pics and Model

Hi All - My hot water heater is an Atwood, 10gal, combination Gas/Electric, model number is GC6AA-10E.

Photos from under my cabinet are attached. I see now where I can unscrew the water fittings to the hot water heater if required.

Would still like to know if anyone thinks the element can be replaced with the heater in place or if it needs to be removed.
 

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Wow, looks pretty inaccessible, but without seeing completely around it, and surrounding walls, construction, etc. can't say 100%. But looks very difficult.

OTOH, you'll have to get in there to remove it, so maybe you can get to the element in the process of removal. I simply do not know.
 
Hi All - My hot water heater is an Atwood, 10gal, combination Gas/Electric, model number is GC6AA-10E.

Photos from under my cabinet are attached. I see now where I can unscrew the water fittings to the hot water heater if required.

Would still like to know if anyone thinks the element can be replaced with the heater in place or if it needs to be removed.

I found a manual online. Looks like it is a 6Gal model and the heating element is accessed from the back.
Water Heater.JPG
 
I'm replacing the relay on our water heater in our 303 which is in the same location as the element. As Howard said it will depend on the model. On our 303 there are drawers next to where the water heater is. Taking out the bottom drawer gives me access with a lot of room to work. One thing to keep in mind when doing the element is after you drain the heater there will still be at least a gallon of water still in it which will come out when you pull the element. So be ready to clean that up immediately.

Your 303RLS layout (with exception to the bath/bedrm) is very similar to the 295RL. Are you talking about removing the lower hutch drawer to gain access to the back of the water heater? Was wondering if the lower hutch kick panel/heater return would get in the way? Does it easily detach for better access as well? Havent had to maint mine, but am curious..

Have noticed the detachable basement wall in the pass-thru on the side of the Nautilus panel look like it may have better access. Again just curious..
 
Your 303RLS layout (with exception to the bath/bedrm) is very similar to the 295RL. Are you talking about removing the lower hutch drawer to gain access to the back of the water heater? Was wondering if the lower hutch kick panel/heater return would get in the way? Does it easily detach for better access as well? Havent had to maint mine, but am curious..

Have noticed the detachable basement wall in the pass-thru on the side of the Nautilus panel look like it may have better access. Again just curious..

We did remove the lower drawer and the kick plate is recessed on ours ( it's the cold air return) and still in place. On the 303 the basement access has the furnace in the way of getting to the water heater so it needs to be removed first. If I'm wrong on any of this Gary will correct me.

For replacing the element it is not hard to pull the water heater out from the outside of the trailer. Where your access door is on the outside there is a bunch of screws holding it all in. Remove those screws and take the frame and all off. The water heater will slide right out. You will have to disconnect the water lines. My recommendation would be to watch a you tube video of it first. I haven't replaced one but when I was researching the relay I came across a you tube for replacing the element and watched. The trailer they were working on didn't have good access to the back of the heater so they removed the heater from the trailer. It looked fairly simple.
 
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