i have a rheem water heater model # 72- 40- 1 not getting enough hot water .it only has 1 element how can i put in another element and wire it correctly? please help
First, let me say that no Rheem electric water heater that I am aware of has only 1 element.
You may have to search - but there should be one about 8 inches from the top and another behind a panel about 10 inches above the bottom. Please search again.
It is NOT possible to add an element to a "used" water heater. The inner and outer liners must both be sealed and that is done at the factory.
Posted on Feb 19, 2010
Just bought a kenmore power miser electric water heater and it came with two elements and three wires (blue, black and yellow). I only have two wires coming out of the wall (white and black). It is a 220 system for the water heater as i checked and have 120 coming from both wires. Do I hook up both the black and blue from water heater to the black out of wall and the yellow to the white?
Hello,You are correct! Black/blue=black & Yellow=white 220volt single phase power.There are 3 wires for 3 phase power connection NOT the case in a home.Also an "off peak"timer option would use (black) only controlling the bottom element and (blue) controlling the top element.
Posted on Apr 21, 2010
i need to adjust water temperature, and dont have a manual. i have a 81v40d C model , 40 gal electric.
Hi,
Here is a tip that I wrote to help people understand how to adjust the temperature on their electric hot water heater.
Electric Hot Water Heater Temperature Adjustment
heatman101
Posted on Oct 16, 2010
I have a model 71-408 B which just stop heating
If I understand correctly, you have electric water heater.
Heater suddenly stopped heating.
Four things cause sudden loss of water heater.
1) Reset button located under the top cover is tripped > turn off power, remove cover, press reset button > if reset keeps tripping, go to the troubleshooting link shown below.
2) Electric power to heater is interrupted > check circuit breaker > test for voltage > look for loose wire on breaker
3) Upper element burned out > test and replace element
4) Upper thermostat bad > replace upper thermostat
Reset button is best suspect.
Here is a link for complete troubleshoot and homeowner repair of electric water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html
Posted on Nov 19, 2010
I have a model 6G40PVW-40F water heater and we have no hot water... the thermostat light on warm/vacation is on and so are 2 other lights...If I diconnect it and re-connect it then it will start..the gas turns on and the burner turns on but the flame will only be on about 10 seconds and will turn off and the three lights light up again...what can this be???
Most gas water heater problems today can be solved with yearly maintenance that includes cleaning burner parts, clean air intake, check venting, check electrical connections, bleed gas line, and check gas pressure.
Gas water heater manuals recommend yearly maintenance by service technician.
In past years, gas water heaters required less maintenance, but they were less energy efficient and more dangerous to operate.
Sounds like you have Intellivent gas control valve thermostat.
Open following link to identify gas valve and see error codes:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Intelli-vent-gas-valve2.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-adjust-temperature-on-water-heater.html#intelli
Error light on vacation + 2 other lights = 3 possible conditions:
1) Wiring error: check outlet with circuit analyzer:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Typical-circuit-analyzer-15.jpg
2) Pressure switch tubing not connected, air intake obstructed (clean intake), or vent exhaust obstructed (check for proper venting).
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Test-water-heater-vent-400.jpg
3) System in lockout: Low gas pressure, hot surface igniter not positioned correctly.
You can do some of this yourself.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-install-gas-water-heater.html#clean
Posted on Jul 01, 2011
vacuum valve leaking water
Question is unclear.
What is a vacuum valve?
You posted under electric water heater.
Water heaters are associated with TP or 'safety overflow' valve, water shut-off valve, tank drain valve, pressure-regulating valve, mixing valve and possibly a few other plumbing valves.
Vacuum valve implies that a compressor is creating pressure on one line while creating vacuum on another line. I don't know of a water heater that uses air compressor.
Open following link to help troubleshoot leaking water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
Posted on Jul 23, 2011
water heater is not working after a power outage
it is possible it needs a reset.
1. turn off the breaker to make sure there is no power to the unit
2. open the top cover and there will be a red button like this
http://www.tonyhoover.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/water-heater-upper-thermostat.jpg
push it. It may have a plastic cover over or around it, leave this in place it is insulation for the wiring.
close it up carefully and then turn on the power and see what happens.
Posted on Aug 13, 2011
Where is water shut off valve on Rheem Electric Water Heater?
The shut-off is not on the water heater.
The shut-off is usually located on cold water pipe that enters water heater.
See image of shut-off:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Low-water-pressure-2-800.jpg
If shut-off is not located on cold pipe at water heater, then turn off water to house at water meter.
More resources:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
Posted on Sep 25, 2011
not heating
Open following links for water heater troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7
Posted on May 23, 2012
I just installed this water heater, which has worked fine for several days in a large dry basement. The heater turned off in the middle of the night. A blue light is flashing 7 times signifying a SVS flamable vapor sensor. There is no smell of gas. I placed a fan to move the air around. Could the sensor itself be bad? What else can I check?
Open following link for troubleshoot error codes showing 7 flashes on Honeywell gas control valve is system lockout due to flammable vapor:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Honeywell-gas-control_error-Damper-series.pdf
The FV system in Rheem can be tripped by presence of flammable vapors such as gasoline or paint fumes etc, or it can be tripped if water heater was dropped, or mis-manufactured, or if gas control valve is defective, or if water heater is not getting adequate fresh air, or there is inadequate venting of combustion by-product.
When combustion chamber overheats, then glass vial breaks and damper shuts off air supply to water heater and it will not light.
Open following link for possible help fixing the problem:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-repair-Rheem-FVIR.html
If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7
Posted on Jun 17, 2012
359 questions posted
Usually answered in minutes!
250 Questions
267 Questions
222 Questions
190 Questions
96 Questions