20 Most Recent RELIANCE ELECTRIC WATER HEATER - Page 9 Questions & Answers

Lower element will always test 120V to ground since thermostats turn off one hot wire.

Listed below are suspects in order of ease.

1) Check that hot water is not running out of TP valve and down into a drain.
This will cause water heater to run all the time but not be able to keep up.

2) Test elements before replacing anything:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

3) Test electricity to water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html

4) Replace both thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

5) Final thing would be full troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

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If this is ordinary tank-type water heater.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-water-heater-thermostats.html

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If this is typical dual-thermostat tank-type electric water heater:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-water-heater-thermostats.html

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I would replace both thermostats and see if problem persists.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

If problems continue, then do complete troubleshoot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

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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.
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Hi,

Here is a tip that I wrote about replacing hot water heater elements...

How to replace the Thermostat and Element for Electric Hot Water Heater
heatman101

Yes you should shut off gas valve & water in to tank. Drain tank fully then turn on water & relight pilot.

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

There are two other possible suspects:
1) Factory-installed insulation and covers have been taken off tank so thermostats exposed to cool air and misread temperatures and cause overheating

2) One of the elements is shorted in middle of element and still heating after thermostat turns off, plus upper thermostat ECO reset is not tripping because it is defective.

If replacing thermostats doesn't fix problem, then test elements, and/or do complete troubleshoot:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

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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.

1) Look at the top of the old tank.
There will be markings on the tank, probably embossed in the steel cover that show cold - hot.

2) Many tanks have red and blue plastic pieces surrounding the inlet pipes

3) If there is a shut off valve located above tank, it should be on cold water line assuming house was plumbed to code.

4) When we install water heaters in old houses where water heater is removed, we look for shut off valve above tank that tells us which line is cold. If tank is missing and pipes have no shut off valve, we turn on outdoor water supply and see which of the two water heater pipes starts running water first ... because that is cold side.

5) For do-it-yourself water heater information about electric water heaters:
http://waterheatertimer.org/DIY.html

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It sounds like a bad thermostat. Replace them both from Lowe's, H/D, etc. Cost will be ~$30. Note that even though the package may not say Rheem on it, it is a universal replacement part. I have used them several times with no problems.

Isolate the power to the heater by turning the breaker OFF. If your unit is equipped with a service disconnect, switch it off as well.

It's a good idea to make a sketch of each thermostat, noting the wire color and the direction that it takes (for example, 2nd terminal, right side, blue wire, heads down).

Replace each thermostat and wire it up. Make sure that all connections are tight. Set the desired temperature. Replace the insulation and the cover plates.

Best regards, --W/D--

WATER HEATER EXPERT HERE

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My name is Bruce

Question: Do Low boy heaters, have a heater at the bottom, AND at the top?--- and are BOTH of the heaters working, on the 'either/or thermostat?
(By 'either/or'-- I mean, that it first turns the top element on, and when it is satisfied, THEN it turns the bottom on, until the whole tank is heated..) -- I would say this is an advantage of the taller tanks...

The taller tanks stratify VERY WELL--- (And the incoming cold water stays right at the bottom, and you take the HOT water off the top-- until suddnely it all goes to COLD.

I am wondering if the Low boy heaters might MIX more thatn the tall ones,-- thus going to WARM water sooner--- due to poor stratification.
Could you test that out, and try to folow the cold water line up the tank, as the Hot water is drawn off?

Another thought:
The Cold Fill tube, does go all the way DOWN to the bottom of the tank, right?--
And does it gently let the cold water flow across the bottom, and not 'rotatee the waer in the tank, as it replaces the hot water being used?
Otherwise the cold water will mix very early-- and give this same problem...
(I have heard of those center tubes falling off in shipment...
Did you by any chance check that, when you installed it?)

A final thought: What if the water draw was extremely fast?-- (Like if the water pressure is exceptionally HIGH--) might that upset the stratification, and cause the same problem, too?

If the hot water is drawn more slowly, can the customer get 30 or 4 gallons of HOT water, before it all goes cold?

Mack B

ECO reset button trips when thermostat senses temperatures above 150 degrees F.
That can be caused by shorted element, bad upper or lower thermostat, or loose-or-shorted wire.
Electricity to the water heater is usually good when reset is tripping, so that eliminates the breaker and electric circuit.
TP valve is not releasing water, so that part is still good.

At this point I usually take '30 minutes' and do complete troubleshoot:
Take your time testing parts since resetting over and over does NO damage to water heater or parts. Be sure to put insulation and cover over thermostat each time or cooler air will cause thermostat to misread tank temperature, causing reset to trip or TP valve to release water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Another option without testing is to replace both upper and lower thermostats for $28 and see if that corrects problem.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

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Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

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

1) Here's step-by step for checking electric water heater circuit:
Testing assumes water heater is fully functional (although your water heater might have a short).
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html

2) Once circuit breaker and line are eliminated, take 30 minutes and test internal parts of water heater as shown on following link.
Ordinary tank-type water heater is fully repairable by homeowner using off-the-shelf generic parts from hardware store.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

3) Testing requires cheap multimeter from home center.
When testing continuity or elements, rotate multimeter dial to ohms.
When testing voltage, rotate dial to 240-250-277 VAC

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Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, fixya expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.

Hi,

If your electric hot water heater is not working...check out this tip about electric hot water heater problems

Electric Water Heater not Working

heatman101

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Hi,

If your electric hot water heater is not working...check out this tip about electric hot water heater problems

Electric Water Heater not Working

heatman101

./..

Hi,

If your electric hot water heater is not working...check out this tip about electric hot water heater problems

Electric Water Heater not Working

heatman101

//

Hi,

If your electric hot water heater is not working...check out this tip about electric hot water heater problems

Electric Water Heater not Working

heatman101

.................

Hi,

Here are a couple of tips that I wrote that tell you how to troubleshoot a Torpedo or Reddy heater...

Reddy Heater - Troubleshooting Torpedo Heaters

Torpedo Heater Pump Pressure Adjustment

heatman101

Hi,

If your electric hot water heater is not working...check out this tip about electric hot water heater problems

Electric Water Heater not Working
heatman101