Water Heaters - Rewiring Water Heater

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Fossil Rock
05-13-09, 05:32 PM
I'm rewiring my home after it was gutted of large sections of copper wiring.

I've replaced the missing wire [10/2] to the water heater, but it pops the breaker. I can't find any shorts anywhere. All the connections on the heater are clean. The home is only 7 years old, but the heater has not been hooked up for nearly 9 months.

Any ideas before I replace the thermostats and elements ?

Pulpo
05-13-09, 06:32 PM
Did you try one element at a time? How many amps is the breaker? Does it correspond with the information on the tank?
Fossil Rock
05-13-09, 06:42 PM
I'm not sure what you mean by one element at a time. I tested for shorts and found none. I haven't drained the tank and removed anything yet.

30 Amp breakers.

Just looking for ideas before I go that route.

Pulpo
05-14-09, 06:39 AM
Aren't there 2 elements in the tank? I'm talking about disconnecting one to see if the breaker still blows.
Fossil Rock
05-14-09, 03:01 PM
Ok, yes there are 2 elements, and no I haven't tried your suggestion yet, but will do so shortly.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Fossil Rock
05-14-09, 07:41 PM
UPDATE:

I removed 1 lead from each element (upper and lower) and the breaker did not trip.

I put the upper lead back and no trip.

I put the lower lead on and still no trip.. KEWL!!

Then the tank started making a whooshing sound ... is this normal ?
Pulpo
05-14-09, 08:35 PM
I don't think that they are supposed to make any noise at all. How loud is the whoosing sound & how long does it last?
Fossil Rock
05-15-09, 03:34 AM
I turned the breaker off for a half hour or so then turned it back on. The sound started again, but this time I listened to it closely. It sounded like a coffee maker when the water hits the element. I guess that was what I was hearing, so I let it run. Now I have hot water again.

Woohooo, no more cold showers.

Thanks for the support.

On to the next project.