20 Most Recent Rheem 40 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 82VH402 - Page 8 Questions & Answers

typically the power to your water heater would be fed by a circuit breaker in the power panel in your house. water heaters (electric) consume a lot of power and therefor need their own circuit. If your circut box isn't labeled what you need to do is first turn the water heater up so that you can tell that it runing, you can't see this but if you listen closely you should be able to hear it, get someone to help you with this and cut off the power (trip breaker) till you find the one that stops the sound. If you have a volt meter you could take the cover off the power box (where you water heater is hooked in) and put the meter across the black and whiter wire so you see a reading of 110-130 volts. again have someone help you and cut the breakers one by one till the meter drops to 0 volts (or very close to it) when it does, make sure to label the breaker so you know next time.

You posted under electric water heater.
Tank-type electric water heater is a simple appliance that I find fascinating.

1) I do not have specific manual that explains the parts, nor have I seen one.
However, following links give resourceful do-it-yourselfer full information how electric tank type water heater works, and how parts work together, and what the sequence of operation is, and how to troubleshoot and repair typical tank-type electric water heater.

http://www.whirlpoolwaterheaters.com/learn_more/HowWaterHeatersWork.aspx
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-water-heater-thermostat-works.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

2) If you are strictly looking for a pdf file that explains parts: Here's how I make pdf files to post on Internet:
You can copy content from links above, and paste into ordinary Office document.
Download CuteWriter for free, and then 'print' your Office document and select CuteWriter as the printer, and it will make a pdf manual.
Make manual as long or short as desired, and CuteWriter will space pages correctly.
Post your manual on your website for free, and then add a comment to this thread and include web location of your manual so others have free access to your work.

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Once the hot and cold pipes are connected to water heater, then open bathtub spout on hot side, turn water on so tank begins to fill.
After tub spout is running full stream without air, then water heater is full and it is safe to turn on the heater.

Turning on gas water heater before tank is full can damage tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html
Turning on electric heater before tank is full will burn out elements. Replace elements.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Replace TP valve and then consider expansion tank:

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/Stacking.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/Water-heater-is-leaking.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html

First of all, you need a tank that has 2 elements.
Look at side of tank for 2 access doors.
Usually a single-thermostat water heater has one element, and one access door.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-water-heater-thermostats.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

http://waterheatertimer.org/B220C.html

Open following link for full troubleshoot
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Other water heater tips and tricks:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

Link below shows step-by-step for typical tank-type gas and electric water heaters
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html

If water heater used to be hotter, look at diagrams following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

Other water heater tips and tricks:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

If you have tankless water heater, consult manual.
Changing temperature on tankless can lead to problems.
Tankless should be de-limed each year to maintain efficiency. U-tube search 'delime tankless'
Read the manual for yearly maintenance requirement.
All costs are energy, and tankless are maintenance heavy.

Electric water heater is not making hot water.

That gives 4 suspects.

1) Breaker is not delivering 240V to water heater on both legs.
Open following link for checklist troubleshoot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html

2) Upper thermostat ECO reset button has tripped. Open top cover and push in reset button. Put insulation and cover back so thermostat not exposed to cooler air. If problem persists, replace both thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

3) Upper element is bad. If upper element goes bad, the tank will not have any hot water, even if lower element is good.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

4) Water heater is overheating and ECO reset is tripping.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you via e-mail while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Unless you see a large hex head socket to remove on the top of the water heater, many
anode rods are built onto the hot side nipple. They are almost the length of the water heater.
Hopefully you have room to remove it if this is the case. If you see a hex nut that is silver
gray on top, then shut off cold water to the heater. Release some hot water at a tap to relieve
pressure on the tank or drain some out at the bottom which is better. Make sure power is
off to unit first or gas is off . Unscrew nut or nipple counterclockwise to remove. Best to
remove with a socket wrench or box wrench if it's a nut and a good pipe wrench if it's
on the nipple. Several light taps with a hammer if necessary on the handle of the
wrench or pipe wrench should help. Hopefully the nipple has a removable flex line if
it's located there. (Remember it's on the hot side and should be marked on the top
of the heater).

Hi,

Yes, the reset probably is tripped...push in the red button hard
Then turn it on and try it...

Check out this tip..

How to replace the Thermostat and Element for Electric Hot Water Heater

heatman101

Tough problem here. Most dual element heaters share one line. if this is the case and you have power on the top and none on the bottom I would check the connecting wires one to another. also check the settings of the thermostats. They may be adjusted all the way down. If the wires and connections are good I would recommend ohm testing the new elements. I have burned elements out by introducing cold water to very hot coils (forgetting to turn the water on after flipping the breaker)
Never forget that calcium buildup will short the element. If touching on the bottom you will burn it up.
If this does not help try borrowing hot water from neighbors ;)
Good luck
Joe

Your testing may be off here. Or you might have special order 'simultaneous' wired water heater.

Water heaters with two elements are 240V.
Elements test for 120V at all times, but with ordinary non-simultaneous water heater, only one element at a time has 240. This is called non-simultaneous operation.
Open links below for understanding of water heater operation.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-water-heater-thermostats-work.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/B220C.html

If both elements were drawing 240 at one time, then upper thermostat is bad, or else your water heater is wired for simultaneous operation, and one of the elements is burned out.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
Your tank might be wired for simultaneous operation, if water heater was special order from Rheem, or if somebody changed wiring and set lower thermostat-and-element on a separate circuit breaker.

If you have simultaneous operation, then you would have 2 circuit breakers and 2 wires going to water heater or one 50 amp breaker with 8 gauge wire to heater. If this is the case, then both elements could test for 240V and one of the elements is bad, and thermostats are ok.

If you have ordinary Rheem water heater, then it is wired for non-simultaneous operation where only one element is ON at a time. This is called non-simultaneous operation and you can check because water heater has one circuit breaker rated for 20 or 30 amps.

Rheem elements are 4500Watts.
If both elements were ON at same time, that would be 9000Watts, which would trip typical water heater 20-30 amp circuit breaker.
9000Watts divided by 240 volts = 37.5 amps
So if upper thermostat is bad, and it is turning on both elements so they both test for 240, then thermostat is bad, but also one of the elements has to be bad.
Or test is inaccurate.
Interesting puzzle.

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

If water is totally cold, then upper element is not getting 240V. Since element tested for 120V, then that says upper element is burned out, upper thermostat is bad, or circuit breaker is bad.
Best thing is to buy multimeter and do 30 minute troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Also read information below for understanding how water heater works.

Testing elements for voltage can be misleading.
If water heater has 2 elements, then tank is 240Volts.
240V water heaters have 120V on each element at all times.
So elements have hot 120V power, but they are not turned on until the circuit is complete with 240V.
Open following links to read specifics about 120V and 240V
http://waterheatertimer.org/B220C.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-water-heater-thermostat-works.html

240V is made from two 120V Hot wires from breaker box.
Each 120V line from breaker is called a 'leg.'
So 240V circuit has two legs, and both legs need to be turned on to complete 240V circuit.

Water heater thermostats turn off only one leg.
The other leg is Hot all the time.
So when you test screws on an element, for example test between a screw and any bare metal part of tank, then the screw will always show 120V.
That is just one leg of the 240V circuit.
But the 240V circuit is not turned On until both legs are connected.
Every residential circuit needs two wires to complete the circuit, and in the case of 240V, those two wires are both 120V.

When the thermostat turns on, it turns on the second leg to the element and that completes the 240V circuit.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

Ordinary tank-type electric water heaters are fully repairable by homeowner.

A) Basic info on Rheem
Rheem electric water heater website:
http://www.rheem.com/products/tank_water_heaters/electric_water_heaters/
Find age of Rheem: look 2nd and 3rd digit of serial number, for example 06 is 2006

B) Water heater has some hot water.
That says certain things: upper element is working, water heater electricity is working, reset button is not tripped, and heater is not experiencing run-away overheating event.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

C) That leaves 4 suspects that cause lower amount of hot water.

1) TP valve is running hot water out of tank -or- leaking faucet is running hot water out of tank.
Check for leaks
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

2) Lower element is burned out.
Test lower element using inexpensive multi-meter from Home Depot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
Replace element with same wattage shown on label, and clean out sediment:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

2) Upper or lower thermostat is bad.
Replace both thermostats for about $25.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

3) Burned or shorted wire located between upper and lower sections of tank.
Turn off power. Open covers on side of tank. Remove insulation. Inspect parts for signs of high heat and burning. Especially check lower element. Tighten any loose wires. Replace part that shows signs of burning.
Put insulation and cover back over thermostats so cooler outside temperature doesn't cause thermostat to misread tank temperature.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Open following link and see common thermostat adjustments:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-water-heater-temperature.html

If your water heater doesn't show, then add a comment with brand, type and model number and I'll try to locate specific information.

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on timer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Ordinary tank-type electric water heaters are fully repairable by homeowner.

A) Rheem electric water heater website:
http://www.rheem.com/products/tank_water_heaters/electric_water_heaters/
Find age of Rheem: look 3rd and 4th digit of serial number, for example 06 is 2006

B) Water heater has some hot water.
That says certain things: upper element is working, water heater electricity is working, reset button is not tripped, and heater is not experiencing run-away overheating event.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

C) That leaves 4 suspects.

1) TP valve is running hot water out of tank, or leaking faucet is running hot water out of tank.
Check for leaks
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

2) Lower element is burned out.
Test lower element using inexpensive multi-meter from Home Depot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
Replace element with same wattage shown on label, and clean out sediment:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

2) Upper or lower thermostat is bad.
Replace both thermostats for about $25.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

3) Burned or shorted wire located between upper and lower sections of tank.
Turn off power. Open covers on side of tank. Remove insulation. Inspect parts for signs of high heat and burning. Especially check lower element. Tighten any loose wires. Replace part that shows signs of burning.
Put insulation and cover back over thermostats so cooler outside temperature doesn't cause thermostat to misread tank temperature.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

plugged orifice on the pilot or faulty gas valve

The top thermostat is kicking out and it may me a short or bad part.
New can be bad also.
I would take it back and get another unit.
Now if you wired it check your wiring and the breaker for proper voltage and amperage , wire size and so on.

I have the same problem about every 3-4 months. Mine is also about 10 or 11. It is usually the sediment at the bottom that causes this. Once the plumber flushes it, it works again. My problem is that I dont know how he did it and the vavle is at the floor level. I am never home when it is repaired. Regular maintenance (flushing) is how you avoid this from reoccurring. That is, if that is the cause of your issue.

The tank has to be completely full of water before turning on electricity or elements will instantly burn out:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

I would take 40 minutes and do complete troubleshoot before replacing anything else.
This requires $5 multimeter from home center.
Put battery in multimeter.
When testing voltage, rotate multimeter dial to 240-250-277VAC
When testing continuity and elements, rotate multimeter dial to Ohms
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

There are a lot of words on the page, but everything is simple and anybody can fix their own electric water heater.
After that, water heater is no longer a mystery and you can save money instead of ever calling service technician again.

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.