Water Heaters - Faulty lower element???
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Faulty lower element???
jrmac99
11-22-04, 07:29 AM
1st post here ... posted under several other forums before tho ... love this place :D
I installed a new 40 gal GE electric water heater ... replacing a 25 year old one in a cottage we just bought. The disconnect and install went pretty well and was pretty straight forward.
However, when I filled it and connected the electrical it seemed to me to take a very long time to get hot water. The cold water source is lake water which is starting to get pretty cold this time of year so I thought maybe it was just that but wanted to see what you guys thought.
By 7 hours after install I was getting lukewarm water from the taps, by the next morning (install + 14 hours) I would get hot water. Seems like a very long warm up cycle to me :confused:
Both thermostat's are set to 140, but when I tested the leads to the lower heat element with a cheapy circuit tester, there didn't seem to be any power reaching the lower element.
Any ideas??
Sorry for the long ppst. Thanks.
Jeff
I installed a new 40 gal GE electric water heater ... replacing a 25 year old one in a cottage we just bought. The disconnect and install went pretty well and was pretty straight forward.
However, when I filled it and connected the electrical it seemed to me to take a very long time to get hot water. The cold water source is lake water which is starting to get pretty cold this time of year so I thought maybe it was just that but wanted to see what you guys thought.
By 7 hours after install I was getting lukewarm water from the taps, by the next morning (install + 14 hours) I would get hot water. Seems like a very long warm up cycle to me :confused:
Both thermostat's are set to 140, but when I tested the leads to the lower heat element with a cheapy circuit tester, there didn't seem to be any power reaching the lower element.
Any ideas??
Sorry for the long ppst. Thanks.
Jeff
majakdragon
11-22-04, 08:09 AM
I agree that it took way too long to heat. Even new things can be broken so maybe you got a heater with a defective element. I would contact whoever you bought it from.
When you tested the lower element, did you mean there was no power TO the lower element or no power IN the lower element. Just thinking there might be a broken wire. Good luck and post back.
When you tested the lower element, did you mean there was no power TO the lower element or no power IN the lower element. Just thinking there might be a broken wire. Good luck and post back.
jrmac99
11-22-04, 08:40 AM
I'm not really sure how to test the element itself, so I'd say no power TO the element ... just tested the two leads on the end of the element and found no juice.
Should have mentioned too, when I removed the access panels, I noticed some wetness in the lower panel that I was able to trace back to a slow drip from the leads of the upper element. I tightened the contacts on the upper element and that seemed to stop the drip. Could the water on the lower element have caused it to short out???
Otherwise, all the wiring looks in tact according to the wiring diagram that came with the unit.
Should have mentioned too, when I removed the access panels, I noticed some wetness in the lower panel that I was able to trace back to a slow drip from the leads of the upper element. I tightened the contacts on the upper element and that seemed to stop the drip. Could the water on the lower element have caused it to short out???
Otherwise, all the wiring looks in tact according to the wiring diagram that came with the unit.
majakdragon
11-22-04, 08:46 AM
Any water could have shorted out the element. Surprized it didn't trip the breaker. Looks like you may need a new element. Good luck.
Mike Swearingen
11-22-04, 09:45 AM
You should get a voltage reading only on one element at a time.
In normal operation, the lower element will do most of the heating.
The upper element will come on when first turning the heater on after installation, or a lot of hot water has been used and the tank water is cooler at the top. You normally should get hot water in an hour or so when turning on a cold water heater.
To test an element, turn OFF the power, remove the two wire leads to it, and check the element for continuity with an ohm meter. No continuity, replace the element. (You shouldn't put any power to a water heater until after the tank is full, or you may fry an element, or exterior water may short it out.)
It sounds like the leak may have shorted out the lower element and it needs to be replaced.
Good Luck!
Mike
In normal operation, the lower element will do most of the heating.
The upper element will come on when first turning the heater on after installation, or a lot of hot water has been used and the tank water is cooler at the top. You normally should get hot water in an hour or so when turning on a cold water heater.
To test an element, turn OFF the power, remove the two wire leads to it, and check the element for continuity with an ohm meter. No continuity, replace the element. (You shouldn't put any power to a water heater until after the tank is full, or you may fry an element, or exterior water may short it out.)
It sounds like the leak may have shorted out the lower element and it needs to be replaced.
Good Luck!
Mike