Hot water heater question......

shawn474

I had about 3 days of decreased hot water output from our hot water heater. We can't even get through one shower without it going cold. Its a 60 gallon tank. I am not getting an electrical reading from the bottom element or thermostat - getting 240V at the top element and thermostat. Just to be safe, I replaced the top and bottom elements and thermostats. Still no reading at the bottom element or thermostat. After replacing, I hit the reset button and still nothing. The hot water heater is only 4 years old - any suggestions on what's wrong and/or how to fix it? Any help is very much appreciated.

Shawn

LessisNevermore

Have you had your water quality checked? If it's really bad it will scale over.

If it needs replacing, check into a tankless system. I've had mine for 8 years now, and with very minor maintenance, it still performs as new. (did I mention you NEVER run out of hot water?):D

kcoc321

man that sucks..
Found this online manual....looks pretty thorough....may not be exactly yours, but the ideas should be the same.

if you replaced the elements, did you also replaced the thermostats or just re-install them? Also, maybe a stupid question, but what temp ar the thermostats set at? Maybe they got bumped down?
IDK

Manual says low volume hot water is caused by a bad lower element or thermostat....Slow recovery time is caused by a bad upper element or thermostat.

do you have connectivity between the wiring?
Also, the wiring diagram shows an inline circuit protection..maybe that is what failed.
Good luck

www.americanwaterheater.com/support/manuals/​res-elect.pdf

mmadden28

I recall having a similar issue--However I have a gas fired hot water heater-everything I read kept pointing towards a dip tube-so concentrate a search there.

Also-I drained the entire thing--now this is likely just for Gas heaters, but when excess sediment builds up, then the heat doesn't make it to the water very well, if at all. Draining it did reveal a lot of nasty looking water--got hot water back for another two years.

jimmydep

Shawn, What brand of water heater are you using???

You said you replaced the upper and lower elements and thermostats.....did you check continuity through the wiring from the upper t-stat to the lower element?

It's probably not the dip tube since your lower element is not working, and the water heater is not heating a full tank of water.

Try this troubleshooting manual, this is a very common configuration for electric water heaters.

http://www.bradfordwhite.com/images/shared/pdfs/manuals/238-47104-00A.pdf

If you don't feel your qualified to do the testing in the troubleshooting section, call in a professional.


Jimmy D
Master Plumber

TNRabbit

If you have no voltage on the lower element, you need to trace back where it stops. I'd guess your t-stat first, then go from there.

shawn474

It is a State Select water heater. I was up until 2am working on the POS. I cut the power to the water heater and retightened all of the connections. I turned the power back on and pushed the reset button after turning the power back on. Heard a definite click and the lower element registered 240 on the voltmeter. I am usually pretty handy around the house, but electricity scares the bajesus out of me. All I know is it was wired right the whole time; I guess I didn't hold the reset button long enough or push it hard enough.

On a positive note, the hot shower was glorious.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions.

Take Care,
Shawn

jimmydep

Now you're in hot water!!!



Jimmy

obieone

I'm glad you got-er-dun! I was gonna tell you to go buy an amprobe:eek:
You shouldn't fear the juice, but you should respect it:rolleyes: