Let's open the water heater closet door!
- Thread starter 930dreamer
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Old tool guy
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- Apr 13, 2023
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The water heater or softner is leaking? And do you have a drain pipe?
OP
Water heater is leaking, pan is plumb into a drain. New one installed.
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Meursault74
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I prefer the "dumb" controller on your new unit. They don't seem to sell water heaters here with those at Home Depot, Ace hardware etc. They do seem to be available at plumber supply places though with the simple controller.
What's ironic is that while the local hardware stores here don't sell the water heaters with the simple controllers they do stock the thermocouples for them. The "thermopiles" for the more advanced controllers are not usually in stock at the local hardware stores. I know this because my brother's water heater has the advanced controller and I've worked on them and had to wait for the parts to come in.
I think the original thermocouple on my current water heater lasted 7 years. The first replacement from home depot lasted about 1.5 years. Then a series of ones from ace hardware lasted 1-2 months each ( I'd take them back to Ace and get new under warranty). I did check the voltage they put out while in the flame, and it wasn't enough. Now I'm back on a HD one for maybe 6 months and going. I have a new one from ace in reserve for when I need it, just so I don't have to make a trip and can swap it out right away, but I have no confidence in it lasting more than a few months. Maybe they were from a bad lot. Ace is on my way to and from work. Home depot is out of the way completely, but I had to go that way for something else so I stopped by and got the last one they had. You'd think they all come from the same factory in China, maybe they do, but there are some slight visual differences between them they are not exactly the same.
@Meursault74 - You're in SGV, aren't you? Gotta be a selection of plumbing supply houses near you. HD is always in a race to the bottom to offer low prices. I'd think Ace is similar. Perhaps the plumbing supply carries a better quality.
Meursault74
Well-known member
I'm not in SGV. I know of Ferguson plumbing supply. They're close by to me. Their website used to list the old style water heaters controllers. I'd try them if I had the time when needed to replace mine
For thermocouples, they list them too. If the one from Ferguson could guarantee a lot longer life, I'd get it. If some one here could vouch for any brand I'd listen. Home depot brand costs less than ace and has been working longer for me. So go figure.
As far as brand goes, the only name I'm familiar with is RobertShaw. They're the big dog from what little I know. Grainger carries them.I'm not in SGV. I know of Ferguson plumbing supply. They're close by to me. Their website used to list the old style water heaters controllers. I'd try them if I had the time when needed to replace mine
For thermocouples, they list them too. If the one from Ferguson could guarantee a lot longer life, I'd get it. If some one here could vouch for any brand I'd listen. Home depot brand costs less than ace and has been working longer for me. So go figure.