Water heater breaker

[Mbmike]

Picked up a new 2015 3990 Voltage, first night the water heater Inop plugged in only would work if we flipped it to gas. Realized the breaker was half flipped to the off position. Now about every 3 or 4 days it pops the breaker haven't had time to return to dealer yet hoping I would be able to fix it even though it's under warranty just the hassle of taking it back in at this point might be the only answer. Anyone have this issue? What was the fix ?

Mbmike

[sundancer 87]

I think you might have a weak breaker or one that is loose in the holder or maybe a loose wire in the heater wiring circuit. If it had a definite problem the breaker would trip almost immediately and not wait a few days.

[MartyG]

Agree. Half-off is what tripped looks like. But since it is not immediate, it is probably a loose wire or connection arcing somewhere. Not too many places to look. With power off, make sure connections at circuit breaker are clean and tight, and ground and neutrals, too. Then head to the water heater to make sure those connections are good. I also suspect something loose. If not, use gas, and put it on your list for the next trip to the dealer.

[Mbmike]

It's not a direct short I know like it was said doesn't just pop immediately, can you switch out the breaker like on your house circuit breaker?

Mike

[MartyG]

Yes, you can, and that might be "it." You might have a bad connection somewhere, but that usually results in low heat, not high current. It could also be an intermittent/faulty heater element. Those usually just unscrew from the tank after the wires are disconnected.

[Thom]

Even though it doesn't trip your breaker immediately, your heating element is probably the original one, making it 10 years old. I would check that. Also if those connections are that close to each other find some way to seperate them.

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by Thom

Even though it doesn't trip your breaker immediately, your heating element is probably the original one, making it 10 years old. I would check that. Also if those connections are that close to each other find some way to seperate them.

It finally happened, thread fart.

The OP stated a 2015 unit so I'm sure the element hasn't been used for ten years.

However, in that 'other' thread about water heater problems the ten year idea might apply.

[Thom]

Originally Posted by sundancer 87

It finally happened, thread fart.

The OP stated a 2015 unit so I'm sure the element hasn't been used for ten years.

However, in that 'other' thread about water heater problems the ten year idea might apply.

Wow, I read this thread 3 times before I posted that, and I swear it said he had a 2005. I blame it on my I-phone!

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Thom

Wow, I read this thread 3 times before I posted that, and I swear it said he had a 2005. I blame it on my I-phone!

Ayup... them smart ass phones think they know more that we do... I KNOW mine won't work with a dead battery. So I have something to threaten it with.

Aaron