I just moved in to a new house and the water heater is hooked to an intermatic T 171 timer. I have set the trippers in different positions and the time of day is correct, but I still cant get hot water going. There is power to the outlet and the manual switch is set to the "on" position and still nothing.Thanks for any help

If dial is still rotating, then buy new trippers:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Intermatic-trippers-and-parts.html#trippers

Gene

Water Heater Timers Save Money

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

Lever automatically moves back and forth as trippers pass.
Move lever to ON position, move to the right.
If timer dial is not rotating, then check wiring, or replace clock motor:
If timer worked before and stopped working, but dial still rotates, the trippers are worn down, replace trippers:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-operate-and-set-T104-timer.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/Buy-T100-series-timers.html#pool
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-T104-Intermatic-timer.html#T104

Gene
h

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

Sounds like the OFF tripper is worn down.
Timer needs to be replaced unless you have Intermatic-brand timer.

Intermatic is only company that sells plastic replacement trippers for their timers.
Except Intermatic on-off trippers are typically red-green.
It's possible your trippers faded in color.
Open following links to identify Intermatic timer and tripper:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Intermatic-timers-and-manuals.html#appliance
http://waterheatertimer.org/Intermatic-trippers-and-parts.html#trippers

T40000r4 has one T104 240Volt timer mechanism.
Stationary pointer is pointed at 6:00 position.
Order 156T1978A trippers.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/timer-accessories/timers/electrical/ecatalog/N-8hi

Moving stationary pointer will not affect on-off operation of timer. The pointer is just reference for setting current time.
Worn trippers can cause problem.
Trippers are softer metal and designed to wear down so timer mechanism lasts for decades.

Open following links for different timers:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-Intermatic-timer.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Intermatic-trippers-and-parts.html#T100

Timer is not identified.
Open following link to help identify timer and download manual and look at wiring diagrams for each.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Boxtype.html
By-pass WH40 and T100 series mechanical timer by removing trippers from dial and moving override lever to ON position.
How to troubleshoot mechanical timer:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-Intermatic-timer.html

Water heater is electric since Intermatic does not make gas water heater timers.
Electric water heater must be completely full of water before turning on circuit breaker, or elements will instantly burn out.
Test electricity and water heater elements:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Test-electricity-to-water-heater.html

1) Dayton 2E214 timer is Grainger number for Intermatic 7801B timer.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/INTERMATIC-Electromechanical-Indoor-7-Day-2E214

2) Grainger page also show extra on-off trippers for the timer

3) Same/similar timer shows for water heater on following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Boxtype.html#T7400

4) I have a similar manual in my files:
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/t7802b-2no-2nc.pdf

5) Intermatic site is offline this weekend but link to iNTERMATIC manuals is following:
http://www.intermatic.com/products/timers/mechanical%20time%20switches/7%20day%2040%20amp.aspx

6) If link above does now show exact product, then type Intermatic model number into search bar, and it will show manuals.

7) To operate the timer, attach silver and gold trippers to face of dial. See image below of Intermatic 24-hour dial.
The trippers are labeled on and off.
Buy more trippers at grainger if needed.


ON tripper pushes lever that closes circuit and turns water heater ON.
OFF tripper pushes same lever other direction that closes circuit and turns water heater OFF.
Dial rotates as time passes.
To set current time, rotate dial until current time lines up with pointer. The pointer is stationary.
I believe this model has to be reset after power outage.

8) 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 timer or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

If this is new installation, check wiring. Hot and Load wires might be reversed.
Check that ON OFF trippers are both attached to yellow dial.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-WH40.html

If timer worked fine before, and started missing recently, then tripper pins probably worn out.
Trippers contact mechanical lever, and push lever on-and-off.
Trippers are softer metal and designed to wear out before lever.
If lever is worn out, timer needs to be replaced, but try new trippers first.
Buy trippers at Grainger
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/INTERMATIC-Timer-Tripper-2E054?Pid=search
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/timer-accessories/timers/electrical/ecatalog/N-8hi

How WH40 timer works:
Clock motor rotates dial.
ON-OFF trippers on dial contact lever.
ON tripper pushes lever one direction.
OFF tripper pushes lever other direction.
Lever moves electrical contacts together, or pulls contacts apart.
When lever moves on-and-off, manual override lever also snaps back and forth with audible clicking sound.
Using q-tip, add touch of white grease to lever where trippers contact.

You posted under Intermatic T101 timer.
Add a comment if timer is different.

http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-wire-T104-Intermatic-timer.html#T101
1) If this is new timer installation, it sounds like black wires on terminals 1 and 2 are reversed.
Other cause could be the ON-OFF trippers not positioned on timer dial

2) If this is old timer that worked before, then tripper pins could be worn down.
Buy new trippers for T101 at Grainger
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/INTERMATIC-Timer-Tripper-2E054?Pid=search

You posted under T103 Intermatic timer
Add a comment if you have different brand.
Current time lines up with silver pointer.
Sounds like silver pointer is not at 6:00 position


Review timer operation:
T-103 timer dial rotates around until tripper contacts mechanical lever:
On tripper pushes lever one direction until it clicks, OFF tripper pushes lever other direction.
Each time lever clicks into position, manual-override lever also moves back and forth.
Manual override is connected to same lever that trippers push.



Troubleshoot:
Watch if timer functions as described above.
Click manual override and check that lights turn on-off correctly.
Add a comment if timer is doing something other than described.

No overcharges here Ms bernarda

If I understand correctly you have Intermatic timer with a yellow dial
You have the Intermatic timer hooked to a small 2-1/2 gallon point-of-use water heater
Your point-of-use water heater is working fine
The timer turns on the water heater once a day instead of twice a day

And it seems like one of the tripper pins has fallen off the yellow dial
The tripper pin is missing and you can't find it or put it back.
You can turn off the electricity and poke around the bottom of the timer box and see if tripper pin can be pulled out using tweezers
Do you know Grainger sells Intermatic tripper pins for $1.67 plus shipping?
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/INTERMATIC-Timer-Tripper-2E054?Pid=search

Now, if this is not the right answer, you post a response and we can probably help