Electric Water Heater will not heat

[RedRed]

Hello,
I'm brand spanking new to the RV world. I just purchased a used 2013 Four Winds Thor 28z Class C. Currently at an RV park and plugged into 30amp power. I have an Atwood Gas Electric Water Heater. The gas works great but the electric does not work at all. I've watched videos...there is no reset buttons, no light that is suppose to come on when I turn it on...I've looked at the panel and there is nothing to turn off/on. I have given the heater more than an hour to work on electric but nothing. Help!

Am told that it is faster and cheaper to use electric...is this true?

Please advise, remember I'm a newbie and not very technical.

Thank you very much!
RedRed

[16ACE27]

Did you turn on the electric element using the switch on the water heater? There is no indication light for electric heating. Check the breaker at the distribution box? Check for 110 VAC at the heating element itself?

[Murph]

Probably the thermostat, cheap easy fix.

[Travelin' Texans]

Heating could be bad, also easy replacement.

[gmc]

They've covered the possibilities... voltage, thermostat, heating element...
Running the electric heater with no water in tank can overheat/burn out the element. Never know what the previous owner did.

Cheapest way to run is electric if you aren't paying the electric bill - ie - included in camping rates... Otherwise depends on local rates and gas prices.
Fastest way is to use both... also can allow for longer showers.

[nosticks]

Heating element.

[rlcpe]

A new element is a cheap and easy fix.

[airforceret]

If it was winterized the bypass valves may be diverting water from the hot water heater. I'd pull the water heater plug and check for water if unsure how to set the bypass valves.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by airforceret

If it was winterized the bypass valves may be diverting water from the hot water heater. I'd pull the water heater plug and check for water if unsure how to set the bypass valves.

How would that affect electric heating but not gas?

[airforceret]

My bad.. missed the part about gas working!