HELP!!! My water heater keeps reseting!!!!

15 years ago

Three days ago my hot water heater went out. It had went out once before about a month ago and due to the huge inconvenience I decided to replace both elements (because I had it drained) and both thermostats (because I figured what the heck, might as well). I replaced everything Saturday evening and ended up having to reset the water heater Sunday morning & evening, Monday evening, and now today (Tuesday evening). I wired up the new thermostats exactly how the old ones were wired. The water heater is 4500 watts, the top element I installed is for a 4500 watt water heater, but the bottom element is for a 5500 watt water heater. This 5500 watt element was installed due to advice given to me by a Lowe's employee. He advised that using the 4500 watt element was like using a hairdryer on medium and the 5500 watt element was like using the hairdryer on high. He stated that the 5500 watt element would work in a 4500 watt water heater no problem.

My question is: is the element causing the water heater to kick off, or could one of the thermostats be bad?

Thanks for your help.

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Comments (5)

alphonse
15 years ago
Please define "went out" & "kick off". Is the water heater tripping the internal snap disc, requiring re-set, or is it tripping the breaker in the elec. distribution panel?
If the former, your thermostat is indicated. I assume you have the 'stats set at some reasonable temp., somewhere around 130F or less. The re-set trips around 150F, but of course depends on which snap disc is used, and my memory isn't quoteable.
Upping the element wattage would only decrease the time required to trip the hi temp limit if your 'stats are set too high or not functioning correctly. If the supply wiring is borderline sized, increased wattage MIGHT contribute to breaker trip, as would any direct wiring short.
The t'stats need to be in intimate contact with the tank to function correctly, no air gap, dirt, rust etc. Also bear in mind the temp. settings as indicated may not correlate with actual thermometer readings.
bus_driver
15 years ago
The manually-resettable high temperature electrical cutoff located at the upper thermostat typically operates when the temperature reaches 180 deg.
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burns44
Original Author
15 years ago
It is my thermostat that keeps requiring to be reset. I also have the water temp set to 120 degrees.

So I shouldn't worry about the bigger element being the problem?

Should I switch out the thermostats (upper, lower, or both)?

Thanks
alphonse
15 years ago
"It is my thermostat that keeps requiring to be reset. I also have the water temp set to 120 degrees."

Have you verified the actual water temperature with a reliable thermometer? If it's higher than your target 120F, then turn the 'stat down a bit. If it is not higher than 180F (thanks, bus driver) then the upper thermostat that contains the snap disc is probably faulty (the block that has the re-set button).

"So I shouldn't worry about the bigger element being the problem? "

No. But you could do a little math and figure if the internal feed wire is suited for the increased load, which I figure probably is. But you don't see my name on the check for your homeowner's insurance either.

" Should I switch out the thermostats (upper, lower, or both)? "

I'm not a fan of replacing parts 'til I find the real problem.
bus_driver
15 years ago
The thermostat (is supposed to) controls the temperature. The element wattage controls how fast the water is heated.