Troubleshooting Dometic water heaters (with and without a multimeter)

[@GodBearOutoors]

Man! this is the BEST explanation of this diagnostic process I've found on here! Thanks a ton for this! 👍👍

[@ambonito1955]

Excellent diagnostic video for the Dometic WH6-GEA water heater!

[@nikkol1987]

Thank you so much! I'm a travel nurse and my husband and I full time RV. We are on our way to my next assignment and got to our overnight only to find that our hot water heater wasn't working. We looked at TONS of videos. Didn't find your video until the next day, and we were able to locate the problem exactly. It was the ECO plug thing!! We were praying not to hear the beep when tested it!! Easy fix for $20 (plus we had to buy a multi meter, but we'll use it plenty I think). Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for making full time RV living a little less stressful today!

[@sifilmaker]

Want to thank you.. my dometic didn’t turn on last night at a camp site, watched your video and I’ve learned over the last 3yrs of owning an RV to carry some basic tools specially a Volt-ohm meter. I followed your video, and found the fusable link to be the problem. Now of course I never had any extras. Didn’t know I should. Now I know. However after checking continuity on the fusable link, I found it intermittent. I noticed that it has some tarnish on it so I took a small knife scraped off the tarnish till the copper was shiny, cleaned off, tested it again and low and behold full continuity. Plugged it back in and the water heater worked. Now I ordered not only a few of those links but also a few thermostats, a fusable links. About $120 thru Amazon. And there were cheaper boards. It I ordered the one that Dometic uses which is pricier, but like to keep manufacturer parts. Cannot thank you enough for your video. For the crybabies that complain about camping world service centers and RV, I posted this on their FB page. I tell people if your gonna own an RV you must be capable of using basic tools and a little of patience with a KZbin video. Tks again.

[@TheJasperoo]

This video was great, saved me spending $350 on a control board while traveling on the road. It was just the thermal fuse. Thank you!

[@jacobmurray4943]

Will a bad thermal fuse also affect the furnace?

[@rong4734]

The best video I’ve ever seen. A lot of people ramble on an on an on to the point that it’s not worth watching. You my friend are straight to the point with easy to understand instructions. Thank you 😊

[@KarenFulke]

Thank you very much. This was making me crazy . Heater would come on for about 3 minutes and then cut out. On both gas and electricity. You showed me how to use my ohm meter and I was able to find the problem. You're awesome with the easy to understand explanations and showing the what, where and why. You rock!!!

[@AshleyandPerry]

This video saved my butt. After getting caught in the rain all my family wanted was a hot shower but of course the hot water heater was not working. I used this video to find the issue, a bad thermo limit fuse, and get the hot water flowing. Luckily I had a fuse on hand but I would have been scratching my head the whole time. This was the first time I had to do a repair on our coach and am glad for this resource.

[@scottc3571]

Dude I just fixed my water heater due to your video! Awesome, the thermal cut of switch was bad. I bypassed and the heater worked.

[@jdog1297]

If you bypass the thermal fuse, you should replace it asap. It has resistance that is necessary for normal operation 👍

[@scottc3571]

@@jdog1297 Sorry, didn't mention I replaced the fuse too.

[@tracybartlett5756]

I found your video Saturday July 18th 2023. I had been searching for videos and troubleshooting for a whole week prior to stumbling across your channel. Thanks to your video, I found the issue and ordered a thermal fuse on Saturday the 18th. I have a meter but it wasn't working. The battery is dead. Your tip with a fuse was amazing! I ordered 6 just in case since that is a recurring issues with the new dometic hot water heater. I'm about to subscribe to your channel.

[@TomPessemier]

Wow! This is super helpful. Really appreciate you taking the time to post this! Very well done. Fixed my issue. That darned thermal cutoff fuse was my issue.

[@MacMacIsaac-qs7ll]

My problem is when hot water heater turns on main burner ignites and poof it blows out pilot light.

[@MacMacIsaac-qs7ll]

Any advice?

[@scottspencer1962]

Great video for newbie like me. I request a video explaining the AC side and diagnosing the heater element function

[@briankirkman3535]

I just want to say. THANK YOU!!!! This was by far the easiest explained video. I now follow you. You saved me hundreds of dollars. I even learned how to use the meter. Ty. I really appreciate it.

[@rodneyhunter3233]

Thank you for the video on this hot water heater. My RV was 2 months old and on its 3rd trip when the roll fuse went out. Your Video made trouble shooting it easy.

[@stevedibling9422]

I have looker for replacement parts, the prices are all over the charts, is there a manufacturer you would recommend or stay away from???? I look forward to viewing your other videos to find out what i don't know !!!!

[@JF-wn1ep]

I have the exact water heater propane part of it works. Electric parts shows fault does not heat I checked all fuses there good .I checked white cable it has 12v the yellow doesn't.does that mean the board is no good? Help please

[@utid1957]

Awesome troubleshooting video. You saved me a trip to the repair shop and a lot of trouble. The last time I brought my Rv to the shop they kept it 3 months!!!

[@NortheastWa]

The first thing I checked was the thermal limit fuse. Problem solved. Thanks for your video

[@Thatrvtech]

Always my first check. For a rollout sensor which is essentially what it is, it has a fairly low temp for cutoff (190 degrees)

[@bobkonkel6344]

Thanks for your help we went from a completely working water heater to nothing at the next stop...tried your fuse trick and it worked was going to order the new tco but upon a good re-connection it all worked again! Thanks for the great video!!

[@cardmarshall9589]

Thermal limit fuse, roll out fuse roll out sensor gave no continuity but both ECO + TSTAT gave me a reading. Wife stopped at CW on way to trailer, they had in stock and within hours we are back hot. Thank you for the video! 🙏🏻

[@joesimmons1692]

Thanks for the info. Was a big help. Tested thermal fuse and had no continuity. Made a temporary jumper and the heater fired right up.. definitely buying extra thermal fuses to keep on hand.. Again thanks.

[@patrickthompson2836]

Thank you so much! Of all the videos i watched on KZbin to try to figure out what was wrong this was the most helpful. Got my water heater back up and running amd also now I have all the knowledge to conquer any other issues it gives me thanks again!

[@JoeS1009]

Like others have said on here this is a great troubleshooting video! Thank you for putting this out there!! Helped me diagnose my water heater issue!

[@stevenyara183]

Can somebody tell me the part number for that circuit board

[@bigtimejabroni]

Great video! I thought the control board on my brand new RV was faulty, but it turns out it was the thermal cut off fuse. It was working fine and shows no sign of blowing but tested no continuity on my multimeter. I bypassed it to just see if it lights and it does! Cheaper fix than taking it to dealer for warranty work.

[@zacbrennan1329]

You Sir..are a natural born teacher! Great video, great explanations! Thanks a lot.

[@jrmoreno860]

Great video Sir. The self diagnostic tips you provided helped me resolve my issue with my water heater. 🙏

[@getoutofthekitchen]

This was a very well done video on diagnosis, explanation and resolution. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@normbrassard7939]

Question: the thermo limit fuse is not a resettable device is it? If there is continuity thru it, it's good and if not it's no good. Is that correct?

[@kennethnewbrough701]

Thank You, Excellent Video. Great job of explaining all the equipment, how it works and how to test. I have been looking for quite some time for this type of video for testing. Thanks Again, Great Job

[@oceanskydiver20]

Just saved me man! Right before a big trip. Thermal limit fuse was the issue thanks a lot for the video just subscribed.

[@MikesCarburetor]

Wow great job. Found the thermo fuse was bad. Bypassed it long enough to get our shower, then turned it all off.

[@s60t5M]

Thank you! Just dewinterizing and found the hot water heater not working. I initially jumped the thermo fuse and it worked. After watching this video I went back and tested the fuse and found it was just a corroded connector

[@impacsys]

Great video! I was about to begin performing the diagnosis where you said switch inside. I looked and it was off 😂 again create video I'm a believer and a subscriber

[@larryscroggins7290]

Thanks!

[@TheGbab]

Nice diagnostic tips. I have that model of water heater, but my rv just has the AC cord for the electric heat mode hanging loose not plugged in. The Dometic install instructions are confusing to me about connecting the AC cord. Any suggestions for connecting the AC?

[@peterprasad3766]

Awesome video, have a electric WH issue , have good points here to begin with

[@djaj423]

awesome stuff..question, can you adjust the temp? seems on gas it runs and starts to drip out of the expansion valve. I then shut off, extremely hot? is this normal and should I liet it keep running? thank you in advance ...

[@Emerson-yi8ld]

The electric side of my gas/electric Dometic hot water heater isn't working. To troubleshoot, I went through and checked all of the things you suggested...thermal fuse, ETO, Thermometer, etc. The only thing that I could find was that there was no voltage coming from the yellow wire in the control board (around 12:11 on your video). If I'm getting no voltage from there, what does that mean? Do I need to replace the control board?

[@deonhall4132]

Thanks so much for a great video!! I like others here have insufficient voltage (8-ish volts) on the yellow wire, that problem isn't addressed. What next? Replace the board? Replace the element? My Dometic WH-6GEA is now only working on propane. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[@kaleballen6490]

I had the same problem. It turns out that there is a hidden outlet under the cabinet next to the sink. I had to unscrew an access panel to find it. There was nothing plugged in to it. It turns out that the water heater was supposed to be. Once I tracked down the plug all was golden.

[@the-winnebago]

Thanks! This fixed it for me. Saved me $300

[@markworks1324]

Great video, good info delivered in an easy to digest way. Thank you for putting this together and posting it.😊

[@zboy1771]

Awesome video thank you! I don't have gas or electric coming in. All fuses are good.

[@EricHaines-li3bq]

very good video on mine I have a black box that plugged into 110 and the light is lit steady red my unit works on electric but not lp I tried everything that you did except I do not know what the black box does wiring is coming out of hot water heater any ideas

[@blinddume3859]

If your thermal cut off fuse keeps tripping does that mean the flame is rolling out and tripping it? How do you fix that? Maybe the burner tube needs cleaning? Is there a way to control the flame

[@gurcsik]

Thank you! Excellent info. Mine is having intermittent issues where the heater works on gas but only if the exterior cover is open. When I have it open to troubleshoot, it works fine. When I close the lid, it shuts off after 10 seconds. If I switch the heater on with the cover closed, the unit will spark, light, and burn for 5-10 seconds and then turn off. I am assuming it is one of the safety features beginning to go bad so I will try new thermostats and see. Additionally this water heater makes scalding hot water. So hot the pressure relief valve leaks water when at temp. Dometic says there is nothing they can do about that. Do I have any options to get the temp to be less hot?

[@CCSTechTeacher]

Excellent video. I checked the connector for power like you said and there was no power coming in. The "GAS WATER HEATER" switch is on and lit up so I'm not sure what to check for next. I looked at all the fuses and could not find one dedicated to the hot water heater. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@MiklosLengyel-pj2wu]

Thank you for a fantastic troubleshooting guide. My gas side was not shutting off it got to 160 degrees and I shut it down. It happened after a first start up after winter and checking out all functional tests of the RV. Two questions. At what temperature should the water be? Second, I believe the snap disk thermostat is bad. Do I replace the t stat and the eco? And where do you recommend purchasing them? Thank you in advance.

[@hemijeep1]

Great video. Getting ready to test mine as it stopped working last trip. I noticed when I bought a new thermal fuse it came with a new red wire if needed to replace the wire between board and fuse. How hard is that to replace? Any tips or just pull it from the white plug that slides into the board?

[@hondapro87]

When I’m plugged into city water and the water heater is off there is no leaking water. But when I have it on and it isn’t being continuously used while heated it will start leaking from somewhere in the back. It does have that weird female plastic plug. I did notice it started to leak there first and after I changed the plug is when the back started to leak. It isn’t blowing water out of the pressure relief valve either and the water does seem to be abnormally hot. Could this be a sign the thermostat is bad and causing a leak in the back of the unit because of the heat? I appreciate your feedback back because I’m completely lost as to what to do at this point

[@marieedgington6671]

I need help…. My heater sparks and lights. It has a flame and heats the water. However, the noise (sounds like a turbine?) is not there. It also smokes some coming from the exhaust. What can it be??

[@johndeilus7333]

Great video. I can’t figure out why My burner won’t ignite unless I have both electric and gas turned on.

[@nickthesailor3240]

Thank you in advance..really enjoy your work..great explanations

[@mikethomsen5096]

I replaced my fuse link to the tsat .. it started then stopped then started again then stopped it blew the fuse link . I went thru the two pack …. It was making a ticking sound like the igniter was still trying light even though it had started … any ideas

[@anthonyrandazzo1719]

Great Great Great Video. Unfortunately, my gas side of the water heater is not working. I currently have the electric turned on to see if that is working. I am hooked to shore power at the house (20amp service). The flame when only on gas, did appear just like it is suppose to, but then shut off. Tried turning it back on, but figured the water was hot enough so it would not come back on. 24 hours later, turned on the gas side (button) again....fired up, then went out after a while. Ran through all of the knowledge you shared and got readings on everything. I then decided to drain the entire system. Following step by step what you did, I figured I could achieve flame. But nothing. I recharged the water system and am right now allowing the electric side only to see if that will heat the water. As far as the gas side of things, I am thinking that it may be those T'stat and eco connections that may be stuck in a position that wont allow the ignitor to spark / heat up. Just like a thermostat in a car if you will. If I may ask a very important question. My tank is the WH-6EA DOMETIC - can you provide the part numbers for such things as the ignitor, the control box where all the wires are connected as well as the T'STAT and ECO connections. Thanks Tony

[@EverythingAJs]

Love the information you’ve provided! I do have a question about what’s happening with mine because it’s workings however it sounds like it’s going to explode when it starts to try to work. Help I don’t want to blow up and I’m so confused because it’s working?…

[@erik3357]

If the thermal fuse has gone bad does that stop the electric side from functioning also? Another YT video claims this is the case and my WH is not functioning on either source without continuity through the fuse. Great video, thanks for the education!

[@worst141]

So I have a dometic and it’s ticking but I checked propane and it’s good. Any ideas? I heard something about it could be clogged or something ?

[@zachreyhelmberger894]

My Dometic WH6GEA works fine on propane but not with electric heating element. Could it be the relay? Where is the relay?

[@michaelcobb342]

Best information I have found out there. Thanks for your help

[@MikeJordanUnCamplicated]

What would cause the gas to ignite, when I turn on the electric?

[@darrennipper3967]

What would you recommend checking if the gas won’t shut off? Replaced my thermostats but that didn’t fix it?

[@The-Bankster]

***OUTSTANDING*** video bro! Mine doesn't work on either gas or electric. Haven't opened it up yet but I assume since neither one is working it's most likely one of the common elements: fuse, ECO, or thermostat. I keep spare control boards for both the furnace and water heater but I'm hoping not to have to spend a hundred bucks to get another spare. Thanks man! Edit: It's the thermal fuse. Ordered some spares as well as the eco/therm set.

[@Kainesmithky]

So if I didn’t read any voltage on the first wire you tested. What does that mean? I read continuity everywhere else.

[@AFasitgetz007]

Is there any chance you would give us a parts list or best method to figure out exact parts?

[@Thatrvtech]

Check my most recent video. I did an in depth training video to diagnose these water heaters with a breakdown of parts as well

[@LeslieErickson-m6d]

How do you adjust the flame on this model?

[@GimmeUrTots3491]

Mine lights, burns for a few seconds then goes out. Does this 3 times then fault light on panel. Any ideas?

[@wheretheskygrows]

13:49 I can't remove the thermal cutoff fuse. How hard do I need to pull?

[@JoeS1009]

You need to pull quite hard. Like he said in the video make sure to have a pliers or something similar on hand to help remove.

[@danielokane5209]

This is a 6g on demand right? Mine works great.... initially. but doesn't seem like an on demand. It runs cold after more than just a few minutes.

[@Xbolt1969]

So .. question I have hot water in my trailer but my furnace is still on for a long time

[@briankirkman3535]

Help! I am new to ohm meters. Trying to get a quick advise or starting point. Just got home from camping. Brand new camper with a domestic water heater. Had hot water now I don’t. electric or gas don’t heat water. Where should I start looking.

[@normbrassard7939]

Might want to check your main fuse box. Next, make sure your water heater bypass valve (backside of heater) is in the off position, or you will get a mix of hot & cold. Are you sure there is water in your heater? Is your pump working? Fresh water tank have water in it?

[@DiaLFonZo]

Nice video, thanks for that. My problem is that my heater is not stopping on t-Stat and eventually blow the fuse. My rv dealer looked at it and said they replaced the thermostats and it worked. But arrived at home it still not stopping. Water is really hot to the tap and it's been 20+ minutes without stopping. I'm confused..

[@michaelknight8124]

Very informative, well thought out, easy to follow. Thanks

[@arielleighb]

Electric and propane neither one works but we have a new control board and new relay. Tested the orange and white wires and I have only .5volts coming out. Help me please.

[@owenccamp]

Thank you for the video, I was able to fix my water heater

[@BIGmike_shoots]

I went through all of this everything had power everything had continuity. I’m stumped

[@dongaalswyk7407]

What should the voltage to the yellow wire be?

[@nickthesailor3240]

On electric. My white wire is good reading fine. Yellow at board is not getting squat very very little voltage.

[@ShawnEtters]

So if no power to the yellow wire then a bad control board?

[@johnpfeil6235]

Electric theows a fault light and on gas it qill not shut down at temp?

[@Kodiaktruck342]

Just to make sure this is only for troubleshooting water heater not working on propane not electric hookup?

[@Eric-469]

But what if you have now power to the unit? Mine won’t even try to light.

[@rebeccabalaban3008]

This video is great! Very informative. I’ll be getting a multimeter tomorrow to start testing. Our heater turns on but cuts back off after a few hours to days. I’m wondering if maybe the thermostat is broken and it’s overheating? Or the heating element? Any extra advice is much appreciated!

[@glennjames9152]

why would one red wire from ECO to gas valve be burnt?

[@mkirkland616]

Should the thermal control switches be Normally Open(NO) or Normally Closed(NC)? And this is for both the water heater and the furnace.

[@Thatrvtech]

Normally closed, both on water heaters and furnaces. When the temp is exceeded they will open.

[@chevybeaglenox2402]

Awesome saved me time and money. I’m going to be a sub now! Thanks man

[@LibriumRocks]

very helpful thanks, had a bad tstat , $10 dollar fix.

[@alisasherman5738]

Brand new Dometic 6GAE. I have electric side working. Propane side down. Have voltage in and out of board. ECO and tstat checked out but replaced with spares. Thermal fuse checked out but replaced with spare. Igniter checked out but replaced with spare. Swapped out my board with the spare. Still not staying lit. I ordered a new gas valve and swapped it out. No luck. There is nothing left that I am aware of. It just wont stay lit. I am going crazy.. Any additional help would be appreciated.

[@whbot]

Curious if you found resolution. Mine is doing same thing. Ignites continues to spark once lit then goes out. Appears like a thermocoupler but not sure where it is. Is it part of ignitor and my old and new ignitors/thermocoupler are both bad.? At loss just like you.

[@waynemackin1186]

Excellent video

[@pipkinma]

Dude thank you!! Definitely appreciate your knowledge and sharing with us!

[@QueenVictoriaRose]

Very informative. I have subscribed, and shared with my husband. Would you add amazon links to the things you mentioned, especially the multimeater, and the things you said it would be good to have "along in the coach". We are new to the RV world, so your link would help us make sure we didn't get confused or get the wrong items. Thanks.

[@Thatrvtech]

I do have a few links on my website Thatrvtech.com. I am working on having a store put together for all my links

[@904bees]

What happens if my electric heating element isn’t turning off once the water is hot?

[@orlandogarza4912]

Great video! Super helpful!

[@ScottMallory-w2r]

Great Job!

[@kevinmccarthy308]

What about if my water heater ignites and runs initially, but will not re-light when the water temperature dips. This is only when running on gas

[@Thatrvtech]

So this can happen for a few reasons actually. And it all depends on how consistent this happens. Your culprit it going to either be the Tstat, or possibly even a board. Sometimes it’s a little bit of trial and error to get the correct fix. With the Tstat only being a few dollars I’d go for that first.

[@kevinmccarthy308]

Thank you! I did replace both the eco, tstat and igniter. The issue didn’t change. It sounds like it may be the board. Hopefully I’ll find a friend to borrow me theirs for testing.

[@westsidebeats]

Great video...this is the best one out there. How long does it take on gas or electric setting to warm up the water? Also, can you run them at the same time? Thank you in advance

[@jasonplatero5849]

Awesome stuff and thank you👍

[@anthonyL1776]

What model clamp meter is he using?

[@Thatrvtech]

Klein CL800

[@raymondcorsetto145]

You got me running on Memorial Day 2023 .. Get explanation and knowledge..