Adjusted temp on electric....now nothing.

[corrington]

Only have experience with gas water heater but moved into house with electric. The water seemed a bit scalding so I went into upper and lower panels to adjust it slightly down. Now the water is not heating and doesn't appear to heat it when I put it back to what it was. Need hot water asap but have no clue what I've done wrong and what to do next. Thanks. It's a Lochinvar heater if that helps.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Check to make sure you have power to the unit. You need 220-240 most likely.

 

[Twowaxhack]

If it has power, check continuity of the element. You’ll need a test meter.

You can Google how to check water heater elements.,


If the top element is faulty, the heater will not produce any hot water.

If the bottom element is faulty snd the top element is good then you’ll get 1/2 a tank of hot water. Assuming the element is getting the proper voltage.

 

[Twowaxhack]

There’s also usually a thermal reset button on the top thermostat.

 

[corrington]

There’s also usually a thermal reset button on the top thermostat.

SOLVED

Thanks for all replies. Appreciated. This ended up being the answer. I had no idea about the reset button due to it not being obvious and dim lighting. It was not an obvious button (flat/flush and beige). Once I pressed that it all fired up. Though I'm not fully understanding what the "reset" switch is. Did it trip like a fuse when I shut down power to adjust temp then fired it back up? Or something that needs to be reset each time?

I guess now I'm just that much smarter (which isn't saying much). Thanks again.

 

[Twowaxhack]

There are several possibilities of why it tripped.

If it trips again or your water gets unusually hot, you have problem.

 

[TomFOhio]

YES, if it trips again then you need to replace the upper and lower thermostat. One of them is not shutting off like its
suppose to and then you'll have scalding water again and then the button will trip.

 

[Twowaxhack]

YES, if it trips again then you need to replace the upper and lower thermostat. One of them is not shutting off like its
suppose to and then you'll have scalding water again and then the button will trip.

It could be a grounded element. The heater will continue to heat until the relief discharged or the ECO activates.

Loose wire can also cause it.

And of course, faulty thermostats.

Stacking is also a possibility.

 

[corrington]

Yep so back to the drawing board here. Both set at 125 but it still keeps surpassing it to 170 and tripping the reset. So replaced the upper thermostat and it's still doing it even though all multimeter readings on upper, lower and elements are fine and so is wiring. Quite aggravating. Thanks.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Did you check for a grounded element ?

Did you replace the lower thermostat ?

Did you wire it properly ?

You need to determine which element is running continuously and test it for amp draw.

A grounded element can heat at a reduced rate, regardless of what the thermostats are doing.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Make sure the thermostats are fitting tightly against the bare tank. Otherwise the heater will overheat.

 

[corrington]

Part two solved. It was the lower thermostat. Or BOTH thermostats. No idea exactly since I replaced them both. All seems to be working now (knock on hard water...)

Thanks again all. Appreciate it.