Hot water heater reset

olgentdc · Nov 27, 2010

Electric hot water heater every week seems to need its red button reset on the top element , worx ok thenfor serveral days , than BING ...up jumps the devil,.... i can't recall what causes that ? ,, Thanx for your responses

patsublett · Nov 27, 2010

Most of the time that I have seen that happen, it is a bad element. It could be the thermostat but not likely.

Janicholson · Nov 27, 2010

That is a High temp disc type thermostat. The top tank is getting too hot, or the thermostat is tripping too low. If the water is extremely hot I suspect the upper thermostat (not the button, but the temp control internal to the same module) this is usually adjustable on the lower unit, but often not on the top unit. (there are two disc thermostats in that top unit. When the regular one snaps, it disconnects the top element, and fires up the lower. If either is getting too hot it will trip the button. Replace the top electrical unit.
The elements should read about 9 ohms with nothing attached to them. If they are open, the element is bad. Testing from either screw on an element to the tank (disconnected element) should read open (infinity). Jim

olgentdc · Nov 27, 2010

Yes , well ,.. from what i recall ,usually the element in the bottom causes the top one to kick off . been 20yrs since i needed to repair this .... GODS cistern water here , none of that chemical induced hard water lime in this house ,

Geo-TH,In · Nov 27, 2010

If your water heater is 20 years old, replace both thermostats and the reset. One is sticking closed causing your overheating problem. You may have other problems, but the reset button goes off because you got too hot. Eventually the high temp reset will fail and your pop off valve will open and out comes water. If that fails, we'll be reading about your water heater exploding. George

buickanddeere · Nov 27, 2010

Heating element is shorting to chassis earth ground. Bad news for several reasons.
20 years old? Toss it in the junk before it blows and floods your house.

Bill(Wis) · Nov 28, 2010

I have a GE hot water heater that my dad installed in 1947. Works just fine and I have no intention of tossing it 'til it completely dies. But, it is in the basement right next to the sump.

Bruce from Can. · Nov 28, 2010

Hard water can cause lime to build up on and around bottom element and it will short. When this happens often you are unaware for some time because the top element keeps working, but it will work harder/be drawing power longer trying to heat the tank. Often not shutting off until the reset jumps.

old · Nov 28, 2010

That reset can/does kick off for more then one reason. Had that trouble this summer. Over temp will kick it off as will a bad element and or thermostat. In the end I ended up with a new water heater but since mine was under warranty I got a new one for free is you do not count the 40 mile drive and having to install it

M-MAN · Nov 28, 2010

Had to replace the lower thermostat in my sisters heater a few months back for doing the same thing. $8

Hot water heater reset

olgentdc

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patsublett

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Janicholson

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olgentdc

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Geo-TH,In

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buickanddeere

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Bill(Wis)

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Bruce from Can.

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old

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M-MAN

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