Rheem 50 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 83VR522 Logo
Posted on Sep 05, 2012
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Turned down temp on Water Heater a little, and now we are not getting any hot water. Not even Warm. Whats wrong?

With the help of my Father (Who is a Plumber) We turned down the Temp gage on the water Heater. Set at aboput 127 degrees. But now we dont even get warm water from it.

1 Answer

Gene Haynes

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  • Rheem Master 5,391 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 06, 2012
Gene Haynes
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Joined: May 07, 2012
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For electric tank: Push in the reset button located on upper thermostat.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

For gas tank, then more specific information might be needed for example if unit has power vent, when was the air intake cleaned, is the pilot lit, what brand and model number etc etc..
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-gas-water-heater.html

For tankless, or solar, or hybrid electric, gas boiler, or indirect, or RV heater, etc then please include brand, and model that appears on label on side of unit.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

3 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 77 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 23, 2010

SOURCE: my water is luke warm and then runs cold and then

Its time to replace the heating elements. 90% of the time it's going to be the bottom element, but if you're going to drain it anyway, elements are only $10.00 to $12.00 I would go ahead and replace them both. Replacing the elements is simple just follow these steps.

Step 1: Turn off the power to the water heater.
Step 2: Turn off the cold water valve supplying the water to the heater.
step 3: Drain the water heater there are a few steps to proper draining, connect a hose to the drain port on the lower front of the heater and open the drain valve (remember its gravity drain so downhill all the way) pull up on the pop off handle to relief the pressure in the tank and to let air in so it can start draining also open the hot water valves in your tubs and showers (the more air you can get in the faster it will drain)
Step 4: Undo the 2 wires connected to the heating elements and unscrew the element counter clockwise until it comes out of the tank (they make a socket type tool for removing the elements it's real cheap and can be found at any Home Depot)
Step 5: Take the elements to Home Depot (or any hardware store) and find the exact replacements also get a 1/2" roll or Teflon tape.
Step 6: Teflon tape the threads on the elements (with the threads facing you apply the Teflon tape clockwise) about 4 times around the threads is good.
Step 7: Reinsert the elements into the holes and snug them up tight. (Clockwise) Not supper tight
Step 8: Reconnect the wires to the elements they are 220 volts so there is no neutral either wire to either screw is fine.
step 9: Close the drain valve a disconnect the hose make sure the pop off is closed and turn the water back on leave the tubs and showers on until the tank is filled and air quits coming out of them . Check around the elements for leaks if you see a leak simply snug it up a bit more.
Step 10: Set temp to 125 or whatever you find efficient, replace element covers and turn the power back on and you're all set.



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Anonymous

  • 3 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 02, 2010

SOURCE: water will not get hot

I had the same problem after only one year after i installed it. i called and gave them all the codes and they stepped me throught some diagnostic stuff i had to do on the remote control display and they figured that the mixing valve was stuck open and that is why it wouldnt get hot. they sent me a pdf file that showed me how to use white vinegar to clean the inside of the manifold and other parts including the valves. after i did this everything worked perfect. there was a lot of **** in there even with the screen filter. now it get real hot at a lower temp setting. hope this helps you out. check to see if your manifold gets real hot and if it is hot and after the mixing valve it is cold then that is your problem

Gene Haynes

  • 5391 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 22, 2012

SOURCE: Water temp stays at 160 degrees

Specific type of water heater does not show on web search.
I am guessing you have tank-type electric water heater.
Did you replace both thermostats and test elements?
Element could be cracked, thermostats can stick open, upper thermostat wired incorrectly, wire shorted.
We know that electric power to water heater is good, and circuit breaker is good.
Why is eco is not tripping? Why is TP valve is not leaking?
Copy following links for step-by-step:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

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1answer

Water not heating

Hey James,,
There is a couple reasons... the heater controls have quit working, the upper and lower heating elements have gone bad,,, the water heater breaker has tripped,,, Most newer units have a electronic pad the gives you codes as to whats wrong...mine has little flashing lights..
.If you can't trouble shoot, you need to get a qualified electrician to look at it... ask one of your neighbors if they know how..
This is a little deeper.. http://www.ragsdaleair.com/blog/3-common-water-heater-problems-that-make-your-hot-water-not-hot-enough-4
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No hot water comes into the house

1) Copy following link:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#no
http://waterheatertimer.org/Crossover.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Low-hot-water-pressure.html

2) One pipe on top of heater is warm??? >> breaker is ON >>> this indicates that electric water heater has hot water.
When you opened the TP valve, did hot water come out???

3) Feb 2013 >> add a comment.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

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1answer

Only warm, not hot water from our tap unless I slow the tap down.

Warm water indicates a element is probally in need of replacement. For warm water only more than likely the top element is bad. If you get a burst of hot water for a little while then your bottom one is probally gone bad. Best to replace both elements when changing one out due to not being to exspensive and you have to drain it down anyway.

To change out shut water of and turn power of to water heater open hot side on a faucet to allow heater to drain down so you can change out element.
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I have a Powerstar Electric tankless water heater, 45-551301, installed in a new home less than 3 years ago. We have always had minor problems with the hot water staying hot, fluctuations in hot and tepid...

Tankless heater are a little frustrating sometimes but this is generally an issue of waterflow I believe. The fluctuations are do probably to the amount of water and rate of water going through the heater. If you have a shut off valve on the cold side of the heater, shut it back about half way. This will slow the water going through the heater and allow the heater to heat it up more efficiently. Then go to the shower, turn the hot on all the way (no cold) and allow it to heat up. Once it has heated up, test it by hand for a good temperature that you like. If it is too hot, turn the cold on just a bit until it comes to the temp you like. If it is too cold turn the hot down just a little (still no cold) and it will warm up. Ideally you should be able to turn the hot on full blast and then just turn on a little cold to get the right temp. Once you learn how these work then it makes it easier. You really cant run the water like you do with conventional hot water systems and expect to get the same results. Also, wanted to give you another little tip. Every 6 mos to a year, you should flush you heater with vinegar for about 30-45 minutes using a small cheap submerible pump like for a water feature in a garde. Just put in a bucket of vinegar and and run a hose to the "in" side of the heater and another from the "out' side of the heater and then back into the bucket. This will circulate the vinegar inside the heater and clean all the deposits that will DOA your heater. Funny how the manufacturer wont tell you this but these deposits will ruin the connectiosn on the heating elements. You can make your heater last for a long time if you do this.
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Hi there, I have a bosch aquastar 125b waterless tank. My problem is that i am not getting hot water at all. The water runs during the shower and it stays warm. HELP!!

This should run two showers at once with no problem. If you have a shut off valve on the cold side of the heater, try closing about halfway. This will slow the water flow and the water will have more time to heat up as it pases through the tank. If you dont have a shut off valve, just cut back the hot water valve on your shower and do not use any cold water. If it gets too hot then turn on a little cold water. The object is to slow the speed of the water going through the tank. Tankless heater take a little getting use to but they work great when you know how to treat them. On my shower I turn the hot all the way on until it gets hot and then add a little cold water to bring the temp down. You may have too much water going through too fast to be able to heat it up to what you need. Try this and see how it works.
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I have powerstar model # 45557701- what causes the cracking noises when water is heating? what will make the unit slow to start to heat? how can i change the heating units?

The crackling noises is just from air in the water and should be of no concern. If you are having a problem of heating up the water with the unit it is most likely do to water moving too fast through the lines. Ideally, there should be a shutoff valve installed on both sides of your heater (makes for easy removal if it needs to be serviced). But if you turn off the valve about 1/4 to 1/2 way on the one on the "in" side of the heater (where the cold water enters) then you will slow down the water going through the heater and this will give the water a better chance to heat up. This should alleviate the heating problems you are having. If you do have a shutoff valve on the cold (in) side of the heater, shut it off about 1/4 to 1/2 way and then go to your shower and turn the hot on all the way (no cold). Wait for the water to warm and test the water by hand to see if it is the temp you want. If it is still not warm enough, turn the hot on the shower DOWN just a little. This will actually make the water hotter. I know this doesnt seem right but it will. On the other hand, if the water coming out with the hot water fully turned on is too hot, then just turn on a little cold water at a time until the water is the temp you want. Remember, always give the water plenty of time to get from the heater to the shower before you decideof its the right temp. Ideally, you should be able to turn the hot water on all the way and get the hot temp that you want and if you want to cool it down, just turn the cold on just a little bit until it is where you want. I'm fairly sure the problems you are having are due to the water going too fast through the unit and once you adjust that and understand better how these tankless heaters work, you wont have any more trouble. They are difficult to get used to after using conventional water heaters and the manufacturers arent very good about giving you these hints so they will work properly. You will need a professional to uninstall and hopefully this will work and you want have to. But if you do, it requires shutting off the water to the unit. Shutting off the pwer to the unit. Unattaching the water lines to the unit and then unattaching the electric lines from the junction box or wherever they are attached. The heater then can be removed from the wall by unscrewing the screws from the hangers which hold it to the wall.
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Our tankless water heater is about 3 yrs old and when you take a shower the water is so hot it will burn you and when you try to cut more cold on it turns all the way cold we have it turned down as low as...

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the instructions that came with your water heater should have a diagram of how to do this. if not let me know, I can send a copy.
the electric water heater acts as a mixing station.
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the buffer tank will fix this by mixing the water before it gets to your shower and will give you an even water temperature.

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Tank no getting hot enogh

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No hot water out of a rtg-74pvp-1 tankless water heater

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Water is either hot or cold - no in between.

I found a way to get warm water in the shower, but I'm not sure it qualifies as a solution. After trying everything else I thought that maybe when I was feathering the faucet in the shower toward the cold side so I would get warm water that at a certain point it blocked the flow on the hot water side enough so that the sensor in the hot water heater sensed there was no demand in the line and it shut the water heater off. To test this, I went to the kitchen and turned the kitchen sink faucet all the way to the hot side and then turned it on so that I got a small flow of water. I waited for the water to get hot to be sure the hot water heater was working. Once it was hot, I left it running to keep demand in the line and then I went to the shower and turned the faucet on. When the water got hot I started feathering the control towards the cold side and soon I had warm water. So I think I'm right in that the sensor in the hot water heater was shutting the water heater off when the demand in the shower was lowered to a certain point when I was trying to adjust the water temp in the shower.

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