Replace thermostats.
One of the thermostats is sticking causing overheating that trips ECO reset located on upper thermostat. There is no good way to test thermostats since testing means turning the temperature setting which temporarily unsticks bad thermostat so it looks like it works ok, so replace both thermostats.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7
SOURCE: I have a Reliance 501 water heater, when I take a
Electric water heater is fully repairable by homeowner.
Following information will tell you how.
1) Background on your heater:
Reliance is AO Smith company.
http://www.aosmith.com/OperatingUnits/Detail.aspx?id=138&ekmensel=c580fa7b_12_0_138_3
Age of water heater is shown in serial number. First character is letter. Second 2 characters are numbers, which are year of manufacture. For example 05 is year 2005.
The 501 manual is not shown on Reliance website:
http://www.reliancewaterheaters.com/prod/elec.html
2) Two things known for sure:
- electricity is OK
- upper element is working because there is some hot water.
3) Three things can cause problem you describe:
- Loose wire located from upper thermostat to lower element and thermostat.
- Upper or lower thermostat is bad
- Lower element is burned out
4) How to troubleshoot and repair
- Turn off power, open covers and look for loose and burned wiring, especially on lower element.
- When finished, put back insulation and covers so thermostat not exposed to cooler temperatures.
- Burned wire on lower element is evidence that lower element is burned out.
- If you do not want to follow testing steps below, next step is to replace both upper and lower thermostat for about 25$ and see if problem persists.
- If problem persists, replace lower element.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
5) Test lower element, before replacing anything
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
6) Troubleshoot electric water heater
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
7) How to replace lower element and clean sediment out of tank:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
SOURCE: I have a Reliance 501 electric water heater.
ECO reset button trips when thermostat senses high heat event over 150 degrees F, or when upper or lower thermostat is defective. There are other causes: if tank access covers and insulation are missing, and when element is shorted to ground in center of element so that element continues heating through one leg of 240V circuit after thermostat turns off.
Ordinary tank-type electric water heater is fully repairable by homeowner using generic parts from hardware store or home center.
1) Replace upper and lower thermostat for about $28, and if problem persists, then do troubleshoot shown in step 2 below.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
2) Take 30 minutes and troubleshoot before replacing any parts.
Troubleshoot requires cheap multimeter from home center.
Install battery in multimeter.
When testing voltage, rotate multimeter dial to 240 or 250 or 277 VAC.
When testing continuity or elements, rotate multimeter dial to ohms (upside down horseshoe symbol is ohms)
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
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