Water heater thermostat

Russ from MN · Nov 28, 2014

Has anyone ever had an intermittent problem with these? I have been have been suspicions of it in the past, but then it seems to work fine for awhile. I put a power indicator light on it so we know it's got power. It is on an off-peak switch so that was my first thought, but the power company says we have not been curtailed. I will probably just change it.

MarkB_MI · Nov 28, 2014

It's more likely you have a burned-out element. Normally only the bottom element comes on, so it burns out first. When that happens, you won't get any heat until the top element comes on, which is after you've used up most of your hot water.

Go buy a cheap multimeter and you'll be able to easily diagnose it.

Russ from MN · Nov 28, 2014

This is a small 220v single element heater in our cabin, it's 30 gallon, fits under the kitchen counter top. I have had bottom elements burn out in larger heaters, so I am familiar with that problem. I have a meter and know how to check elements and that is not the problem. I fiddled with the thermostat in the middle of the night and now the water is scalding, so the thermostat must of been stuck open.

Geo-TH,In · Nov 28, 2014

I've had an intermitent problem. It was the thermostat. I was pushing the reset button and it would work for a while. Finally the thermostat welded the contacts together, the pop off valve worked, only problem the person who I had just purchased house off of didn't send the pop off to a drain. I learned 2 lessons, plumb pop off to drain and replace both thermostats at first sign of a problem. Thermostats are cheaper than cleaning up the mess in basement. When I scrap out water heaters, I keep used thermostats. Thermostats only go out on holidays, weekends or at night. Never at a nice time.

rustyfarmall · Nov 28, 2014

Just a suggestion, but before you start throwing money at an older water heater, you might want to price out a brand new unit.

Russ from MN · Nov 28, 2014

Thanks, George. That's what I was thinking!

IH2444 · Nov 30, 2014

(quoted from post at 09:56:35 11/28/14) This is a small 220v single element heater in our cabin, it's 30 gallon, fits under the kitchen counter top. I have had bottom elements burn out in larger heaters, so I am familiar with that problem. I have a meter and know how to check elements and that is not the problem. I fiddled with the thermostat in the middle of the night and now the water is scalding, so the thermostat must of been stuck open.

I would replace the thermostat asap. Cheap insurance.

Water heater thermostat

Russ from MN

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MarkB_MI

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Russ from MN

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Geo-TH,In

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rustyfarmall

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Russ from MN

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IH2444

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