Hot water heater prob.

[jabberwoki]

I have a small hot water heater in the shop that's not working. About 3 weeks ago i swapped out the element thinking that was the prob but it did not change a thing turns out some of the wire nuts were loose it was registering power but not enough amps.
So after snugging the nuts up every thing was rosy until 3 nights ago no hot water. So the first thing i check was power at the element that's good so even though the wire nuts were tight i soldered all the connections up no difference so i checked the volts at the element 119 so i put a new thermostat in no difference?
I borrowed a amp clamp from a mate but it does not work i`ll take it back and see if he can get it going.
In the meantime any suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Well, if its already hot water, you don't need to heat it anyhow.............. sorry, just could not help myself.




I'll say "hot water heater" then catch myself, but I never type it that way.

Charles

 

[phbsales]

You have 119 volts on a 230 volt element?

Hmmmmmmm..................

 

[nehog]

I have a small hot water heater in the shop that's not working. About 3 weeks ago i swapped out the element thinking that was the prob but it did not change a thing turns out some of the wire nuts were loose it was registering power but not enough amps.
So after snugging the nuts up every thing was rosy until 3 nights ago no hot water. So the first thing i check was power at the element that's good so even though the wire nuts were tight i soldered all the connections up no difference so i checked the volts at the element 119 so i put a new thermostat in no difference?
I borrowed a amp clamp from a mate but it does not work i`ll take it back and see if he can get it going.
In the meantime any suggestions?
Thanks.

1. If this is a 120 volt heater (they do exist) then 119 volts is fine. If it is a 240 volt heater, then that's probably your problem.

2. Uh, that clamp on meter probably works just fine--you are just not drawing current!

3. Check voltages (not current) at the line coming in, and at each stage. There may be a thermostat, a safety cutoff, and the element, and any may be the problem. Not sure how you are testing the element. I'd start at the element and see if you have line voltage there. If you do, then the element has failed. If not move back to the thermostat, and check it. Then the safety switch if there is one (that is a secondary thermostat, designed to open at a higher temp in case the primary thermostat fails, and not all heaters have one.)

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Check your grounds.

If I remember correctly some models have a trip switch on the thermostat for surges, it may have tripped or it may be malfunctioning.

The tube that extends from the thermostat into the tank may be compromised in some way, corrosion, calcium sludge, cracked, prohibiting a proper reading.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Is it 120 or 240 volt. Check volts at element between terminals on element. If 120 or 240 (which ever kind of heater you have) then the element is burned out. When installing new element don't turn power on until heater is full of water. Most electric thermostats are contact type with just a snapdisk type of thermostat against heater. Check voltages on both sides of thermostats horizonally to see if you have correct voltage, vertically to see if you have connection in thermostat. horizonally it should be 120 or 240. vertically should be zero unless the thermostat is bad, check on both sides vertically. Half the thermostat could be bad. With power off (make sure) check ohms on element, should not show shorted to each other or to ground, nor should it show open. These test should show what is wrong.

 

[jabberwoki]

WATER HEATER there is that better (smart ***) .
It`s is only a 120v element and i checked the volts at the element itself and it reads 119v.
So tonight i plugged the heater into a different circuit to see how that played out and still no go so even though the element is only a month old i`ll take it back and swap it for a new one and see how that goes.

 

[Greatbear]

If it's a 240V WH you will read ~120 volts on both sides of the element with respect to ground with the thermostat off, bad or with the overtemp tripped. If it is a 120V unit and you are measuring ~120 volts across the element and there is no hot water, the element is bad.

 

[jabberwoki]

Ok i put a new element in it and guess what no hot water this is starting to piss me off!

 

[jabberwoki]

Help anybody im sick of cold showers!!!

 

[70redbee]

If it's just a small heater, throw it away and get you a new one. By the time you keep throwing parts (money) into it, you could buy a new one. Your time and aggravation are also worth something, not to mention cold showers.

 

[Frank The Plumber]

I'd have to be there. If I tell you what I would do and you took one across the chest and turned your lights out I would not be happy.

 

[jabberwoki]

Found the problem loose wires in the plug!! I was showing current but was getting no amps!!!

 

[MrMark]

Current's unit of measure is amps. Glad you fixed it though!