Posts: 40
Threads: 26
Joined: Nov 2017
Reputation:
0
Home Port: ny
Vessel Info: 2001 43 open sport,cat 3196
my hot water heater breaker on the ac panel keeps tripping off when I turn on water heater,,any ideas on the fix solution?
Posts: 481
Threads: 8
Joined: Apr 2018
Reputation:
10
Home Port: Port Canaveral, FL
Vessel Info: 2003 Tiara 50 Open
3406E Cats
If the breaker is tripping, it's either a weak breaker or the hot water heater is pulling to many amps. Put a meter in the line and see how many amps it is pulling. That will tell you if it is the breaker or the heater.
Posts: 486
Threads: 3
Joined: Apr 2013
Reputation:
20
Home Port: Lake Michigan
Vessel Info: 52 Sovran, Cat 3406
is the breaker tripping right away or only after it heats up? If right away most likely there is a bad thermostat, heating element or water leaking onto connections (usually from crack in tank). Thermostat and or element are most common causes of direct short and usually can be replaced relatively easily and are almost always replaced together. Unfortunately your 43 will require you to crawl over engine and stand on your head for access. Probably easier to pull cablemaster tub out and shimmy along the outboard side of the starboard engine.
To rule out breaker you can also swap with another breaker of similar capacity (such as an ac compressor). Just make sure you disconnect shore power while moving.
Posts: 109
Threads: 21
Joined: Sep 2020
Reputation:
1
Home Port: East Tawas, Michigan
Vessel Info: 2009 Tiara Sovran, Volvo 500 Engines with IPS system.
I had a similar situation on my motorhome and it turned out to be a shorted out heating element. I would also highly consider the breaker going bad as circuit breakers in some cases are toggled on and off quite a bit and can wear out . Best of luck and let us know what you find out .
Posts: 40
Threads: 26
Joined: Nov 2017
Reputation:
0
Home Port: ny
Vessel Info: 2001 43 open sport,cat 3196
it was a bad thermostat,thx for the input.