Water Heaters - No hot water for a week,cannot find the problem!
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victoria
12-10-05, 05:47 AM
About a week ago, we removed the hot water heater to install a drip pan and blanket, the heater was installed new 6 months ago.
After re-installing it did not work! I have replaced the upper and lower thermostats, and the heater elements, still nothing........
I had an electrican check the voltage, there is 240 going in, 240 at all the upper
themostat, on the lower there is 120 at each side, but not 240 across????
I again replaced the lower themostat, still nothing.........We are lost, any suggestions............It is a Realiance 606.
After re-installing it did not work! I have replaced the upper and lower thermostats, and the heater elements, still nothing........
I had an electrican check the voltage, there is 240 going in, 240 at all the upper
themostat, on the lower there is 120 at each side, but not 240 across????
I again replaced the lower themostat, still nothing.........We are lost, any suggestions............It is a Realiance 606.
majakdragon
12-10-05, 08:50 AM
victoria, Welcome to the DIY Forums.
I do not do the electrical on water heaters so I am at a bit of a loss about that part. What I am wondering is why you haven't used the Warranty? Most have a one year parts and labor warranty. May be too late now that you have been working on it. I would still check though. Good luck.
I do not do the electrical on water heaters so I am at a bit of a loss about that part. What I am wondering is why you haven't used the Warranty? Most have a one year parts and labor warranty. May be too late now that you have been working on it. I would still check though. Good luck.
jim-connor
12-10-05, 09:35 AM
In most cases a two heater set-up provides power to one heating element at a time. When the tank is full of cold water the upper element is on, then when the upper portion of the tank heats up, the thermostat will switch power to the lower stat and element. The electician was unable to measure a voltage across the element because it was off. Since the thermostat only shuts off one side of the line (L1), he was probably measuring L2 to ground which would be 120 volts. I realize this is probably more information than you want, but it answers the question.
You need to measure the voltage across the upper element connections, it should be 240 volts. If you have 240 there, your heater is bad. If not, I would suspect the stat or wiring. Is there a chance the replacement stats were miswired? If so, you probably need someone with experience to correctly wire the heater.
Good luck with this.
You need to measure the voltage across the upper element connections, it should be 240 volts. If you have 240 there, your heater is bad. If not, I would suspect the stat or wiring. Is there a chance the replacement stats were miswired? If so, you probably need someone with experience to correctly wire the heater.
Good luck with this.
victoria
12-10-05, 10:10 AM
I did contact the store, they were glad to give me the upper and lower plus the heating elements ! I finally convinced them today to give me a replacement heater.
Yes all the parts replaced were wired exactly as the old and match the wiring diagrams as came with the replacement parts.............
If the upper did work, wouldn't the water begin to warm? I never had anything close to warm........
Your accessment of the lower element not having 240 in the crossover, makes sense, but even after waiting again overnight, still nothing?
I wish I understood even though I have the new heater.
Thanks for all the help!
Yes all the parts replaced were wired exactly as the old and match the wiring diagrams as came with the replacement parts.............
If the upper did work, wouldn't the water begin to warm? I never had anything close to warm........
Your accessment of the lower element not having 240 in the crossover, makes sense, but even after waiting again overnight, still nothing?
I wish I understood even though I have the new heater.
Thanks for all the help!
jim-connor
12-11-05, 08:02 AM
You are correct. If there is 240 volts to the upper element and the upper element is good, you will have some hot water within a short time (20 minutes or so).
The only way to diagnose this problem (and most electrical problems) is with a meter. Since you understand wiring diagrams, you should consider the purchase of a digital meter. From there you'll be able to diagnose a multitude of problems with a little practice and advice.
But for now, a new heater will solve the problem if you have a good 240 volt supply to it. Be sure to turn on the power to the heater after it is completely full of water, otherwise you'll burn out the heating elements.
Good luck.
The only way to diagnose this problem (and most electrical problems) is with a meter. Since you understand wiring diagrams, you should consider the purchase of a digital meter. From there you'll be able to diagnose a multitude of problems with a little practice and advice.
But for now, a new heater will solve the problem if you have a good 240 volt supply to it. Be sure to turn on the power to the heater after it is completely full of water, otherwise you'll burn out the heating elements.
Good luck.