Water Heaters - Way to hot - Electric Water Heater

The water heater is a reliance 606.
We had a storm about a week ago. It blew the computer.
From about that point on we noticed the water from the heater was almost boiling hot.

I figured something was wrong with the thermostats so I just replaced both.
They are set to just over A. It is a double element.
That should be only about 120F. But the temp feels very hot... like coffee water.

When I got installed the new therms I went and ran the hot for a little while (the therms were turned all the way down, below A) then the heater came on and I turned off the water faucet. I waited for it to stop and then turned the therms up to A and it cut back on for a minute or two.

But it still feels the same.
I know the heater isnt just constantly running because you can hear it when it runs. I know it cuts off.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Mike

Use a voltmeter and check your incoming voltage to the WH. Between the red wire and ground, and between the black wire and ground, you should have 115 to 120 volts. Between the red and the black wire you should have 230 to 240 volts. If it's anything other than that, call an electrician.

Shut the power off. Then disconnect both wires at each heating element. Measure the resistance from each terminal to the water heater housing or the metal flange of the element. Any reading other the open or infinite equals a shorted to ground heating element which results in constant heating of the water. The thermostat only shuts off one leg of the power, therefore L2 will flow to the element, and from the element to ground, resulting in constant heating.

Alternatively, check the wiring of your new stats. A mistake could cause problems. The upper stat is the most likely to be miswired.

Also, if you have an ammeter, you can determine which element is pulling power all the time. A shorted element may make less noise because it likely runs at reduced power when the stat turns off.