FTC Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this article for more information, visit our Advertising Disclosure Page.

You can subscribe to the Everything About RVing YouTube Channel for some great videos about RVing

RV Hot Water Heater Keeps Tripping Circuit Breaker

by EMT
(Richmond)

My hot water heater worked OK last time camping. Now this trip camping the hot water heater keeps tripping off. I reset the breaker and after several minutes it does it again. After doing this about six times I switched over to propane and it works great. After about a hour and a half I turned off the gas and switched back to electric.

It took about two hours before the breaker tripped this time so I switched back to gas.

ANSWER: Greetings EMT thanks for submitting your question on our Ask An RV Question Page.

I am not clear based on your description whether the circuit breaker on the RV is tripping or the circuit breaker on the electrical source that your RV is plugged into is tripping.

If you are talking about the electrical source that your RV is plugged into at a campground, there is a possibility especially if your RV is plugged into a 15 amp circuit that you may be trying to run the A/C or Microwave at the same time as the electric heating element on the RV Water Heater, the problem is that you are overloading the 15 amp circuit and tripping the breaker.

Leave your RV repair bills to us—Good Sam Extended Service Plan

This same problem could occur even if your RV is plugged into a 30 Amp Service and trying to run too many high demand electrical appliances at the same time as running the water heater on electric.

If you are talking about the circuit breaker in the RV that is connected to the water heater, heating element then there is a good chance that the water heater heating element needs to be replaced.

I hope this helped.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Protect your RV and your family while on the road: Join Good Sam RV Emergency Road Service Today and save!

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Camping World

Don't Forget To Visit The Everything About RVing Stores.  If It Has To Do With RVing And The Outdoors The EARV Stores Have What You Are Looking For!

RV Accessories - Sporting Goods - RVing and Travel Books and How To Videos - Kindle Accessories and Books - The RVers Gift Shop - The RVer Mall - Buy or Sell An RV - The NASCAR Collectibles Store


Click here to post comments

Return to Ask an RV Question.

LEARN HOW TO RUN 2 RV A/Cs ON A 30 AMP CONNECTION