Duoetto Water heater trips power switch

KenG · Member

Duoetto Water heater trips power switch

KJB · Guru

I would say that there is a fair chance that the heating element is faulty - first thing to test or have tested.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yep . Big chance burnt out element !!

Mike Harding · Guru

Unfortunately I agree with the others - dead element.

Edit: before testing disconnect *ALL* power to the caravan.

An electrician can test it in a minute or so or, if you have a multimeter, you can do it yourself by setting the meter to ohms range, attaching one probe to the metal body of the heater and the other to the active supply terminal (on the plug maybe? Ensure the switch is set to on). This circuit should be an infinite resistance if any reading below infinity is indicated the element has failed.

Caveat: Because the ohm meter is low voltage it is possible, but unlikely, it may indicate infinity whereas a Megger (or similar) would indicate a reading.

-- Edited by Mike Harding on Thursday 29th of April 2021 07:22:39 AM

spida · Guru

I have replaced my Truma element twice now and it has burnt out again. When discussing this problem with a different repair place he asked if I made sure the HW cylinder had water in it before I turned the power on!!!!! I have NEVER had anyone tell me that before. It had not occurred to me that the tank would not always be full. I only use the electric HW when hooked up to the water & power at caravan park. Apparently the tank can empty when travelling and you need to run the HW before turning the power on until it flows smoothly showing that the tank is full.

Mike Harding · Guru

spida wrote:
Apparently the tank can empty when travelling and you need to run the HW before turning the power on until it flows smoothly showing that the tank is full.

I am surprised the tank can lose water when travelling, a design fault it seems to me.

And yes, if the element is not *fully* immersed in water it will burn out in seconds.

spida · Guru

I agree Mike - surprised me also. Mind you - any repair place I have asked calls it the trauma systems!!!! but at $2500 to replace with something else I am at the stage of not repairing it again. Works on gas.