Rheem MSR50245 Marathon Electric Water Heater 50 Gal Logo
Posted on Apr 23, 2011

How do I turn up the water temperature on a Marathon 85 gallon electric water heater? I don't see any visible temperature control settings.

1 Answer

Rolly North

Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Habit-Forming:

Visited the website for 3 consecutive days.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

  • Contributor 26 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 23, 2011
Rolly North
Contributor
Level 1:

An expert who has achieved level 1.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Habit-Forming:

Visited the website for 3 consecutive days.

New Friend:

An expert that has 1 follower.

Joined: Jan 09, 2010
Answers
26
Questions
8
Helped
13786
Points
76

The temperature is controlled on the thermostats in the tank. They are under the two covers you see on the outside of the tank. There is an upper and lower thermostat. Make sure you shut off the power before you begin. Remove the cover and peel back the insulation covering the thermostat. Use a flat head screwdriver to adjust temp. There should be a pointer showing the temp its on now. They are probably set at 120 degrees. WARNING--turning your hot water temp above this point can cause scalding and burning in less than 3 seconds. You may have a burnt out lower element. This link below should help you

http://globalimageserver.com/fetchDocument.aspx?id=574f6c2f-32c1-4c28-824c-172bbbfe5578

This is the manual to your tank. Good luck.

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
2answers

Water only stays hot for about 5 min or

Gas or electric?
Electric water heater ... then test for crossover, check for water leak, replace thermostats, test elements
Gas water heater ... test for crossover, check for water leak
http://waterheatertimer.org/Crossover.html

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


http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

water leak: turn off all taps and put ear against pipe and listen for water leak... check if water meter advances when all water taps are off.

Gene

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

0helpful
1answer

I cant get the water temp below 125 and I need to for our day care. I have the lower thermostat set to 110 and it still is 125 to 130 degrees. Is there something else I need to do. There is a upper...

You have marathon water heater?
Thermostat is probably bad. Has gone out of calibration.
Replace both upper and lower thermostats for $25 from local hardware store, takes about 20 minutes, turn off power, take photo of wires before starting. These thermostats can be adjusted all the way down to 90 degrees, and then dial up a bit to reach 110.
Copy following link for instructions how to replace thermostat yourself.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

If problem continues, then replace both elements.
Elements are special order made specifically for marathon.
Requires 1-7/8" socket to remove elements.
Upper 3800 watt, order part SP610130
Lower 3800 watt, order part SP210197
http://hometips.me/Mar/Rheem-Marathon-parts-2.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html

More information about Marathon:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Review-Rheem-Marathon-water-heater.html

Gene
h

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

6helpful
2answers

How do I replace the heating elements in my Rheem water heater

Replace heating elements can be found at amazon, click here and take a look: Amazon com rheem heating element . I hope this was helpful... cheers
0helpful
1answer

Rheem marathon tripping breaker

Turn power off. Open covers and inspect for burned parts.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker

Test elements. Marathon takes specific element, and does not use generic element from hardware store.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

1helpful
2answers

How do I wire around upper heating element until I can get an other one to replace it?

Question posted under marathon electric water heater.
Marathon is 240Volt dual element non-simultaneous water heater.
Non-simultaneous means that upper part of tank has to reach temperature before power is sent to lower thermostat and element. So if upper element is bad, then water heater has no hot water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html#audibleBW

1) You need to by-pass upper element without by-passing upper thermostat.
2) You should never by-pass upper thermostat because it has ECO-reset protection.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-water-heater-thermostats-work.html

3) Open following link for image of wiring:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Marathon-wiring-700.jpg
4) Take photo of your wiring in case color code is different on your specific model

5) Look at upper thermostat.
Remove yellow wire from terminal 2 on upper thermostat, and cap off temporarily.
Remove red wire from terminal 4 on upper thermostat, and move it to terminal 2 on upper thermostat.
6) For more effective operation, look at lower thermostat.
Remove black wire from lower thermostat terminal 1 and move wire to terminal 2 on lower thermostat.

Take a moment and rate answer:
And 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.
0helpful
1answer

Energy smart hot water heater not giving ample amount of hot water both elements ohm at 12.5

element-connection-450.jpg
For images and product information
For manual


You checked ohms, did you check for 240V across lower element when lower element is turned on?

Energy smart electric water heater
has a control box on top of unit. Water heater does not have typical thermostats that can be tested and replaced. Temperature sensors located above each element send information to control box through small black and red wires. Temperature sensor sells for about $40, but there is no test listed that shows how to determine when sensors fail.

Potential problems:
-Temperature sensor is not reading correct temp
-Control box not processing correct temperature information
-Selector on control box set to 2, 3 or 4
-Thermostat temp on control box set lower than 120 degrees F
-Sediment build-up starting to surround lower element so water doesn't circulate (see if drain valve runs full-open
1helpful
1answer

Bwater does not get hot , no clicking sound when hitting reset button, already replaced upper element, it is gettting power but no HOT water

It could be that the reset button is faulty and will not reset. they are not very robust and can fail when operated repeatedly. The thermostat could also be open circuit especially if the original element had failed. Try replacing both reset and thermostat controls.
0helpful
1answer

Just installed new marathon water heater and hae

check the water control valve to see if it is fully opened
0helpful
1answer

My Reliance 606 40 gallon water heater only heats up enough hot water to fill a bathtub. We've drained it, the pilot light is fine, it heats up the water really hot, but it just doesn't seem to be able to...

How big is your bathtub? Is your water heater set on the hottest setting? What is the temperature of the hot water at the tap?

Keep in mind that hot water can cause severe burns. Children and those with diminished mental capacity can be seriously harmed by hot water.

The "40 Gallon" rating on the water heater is usually the amount of hot water the unit can produce in one hour. So the tank, and the amount of immediately available hot water, might be smaller than 40 gallons.

My bathtub is 2 feet wide by 1 foot deep and 4 feet long. This is 8 cubic feet or almost 60 gallons. So a 40 gallons of water at 120 degrees, mixed with 20 gallons of cold water (60 degrees), fills the tub with 100 degree water. My January cold water is 42 degrees, so it will take 40 gallons at 129 degrees to fill the tub. If the tub is cold to start it will take even hotter water.

So the water heater might be just fine.

Possible solutions:
1. turn the temperature up on your water heater- or the temperature control could be malfunctioning and not getting the water hot enough.
2. insulate your hot water pipes so that the water loses less heat on the way to the tub.
3. bigger water heater.
4. smaller bathtub, or less full bathtub.


Not finding what you are looking for?

2,540 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Rheem Water Heaters Experts

Mike Cairns
Mike Cairns

Level 3 Expert

3054 Answers

Brad Brown

Level 3 Expert

19187 Answers

Sean Wright
Sean Wright

Level 3 Expert

2045 Answers

Are you a Rheem Water Heater Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...