Rheem 50 GAL ELEC TALL Water Heater 6YR SC 83VR522 Logo
Posted on Mar 06, 2011
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Will not heat we replaced both elements but still no hot water rheem model no.82v522marlene we suspect we had a power surge during last storm because the furnace went out also at the same time

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Paul Nielson

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  • Posted on Mar 07, 2011
Paul Nielson
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Hi I suspect your thermostat will have also been damaged if you had a surge I always replace thermostats at the same time as the elements
Also check the wiring as sometimes surges can melt the copper core of the wiring, but be careful always turn off the power first before any electrical works!

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1helpful
1answer

We have a Richmond 50 gal Rheem model 8MV50-2 that blew out the bottom element. We changed both elements and refilled the tank but the water heater won't heat. Do we need a new tank?

Electric water heater is fully repairable unless it is rusted out.
All 2-element tanks are 240Volts.

If you have NO hot water, then suspects are 240Volt circuit supplying only 120V, reset button is tripped out on upper thermostat, bad upper thermostat, bad upper element.
If elements were not completely covered with water when power was turned on, then elements will instantly burn out.
When filling water heater tanks, open bathtub spout. Wait for water to come out full stream. Then open TP valve on water heater for a moment to remove last of air. Then turn on electricity.

Open following link for complete troubleshoot walk-thru.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html
0helpful
1answer

Hi, I have a Rheem water tankless heater and there was a storm lastnight so suddendly I have no hot water. What can It be?

1) All tankless water heaters require voltage to operate electronic sensors and circuit board.
This is true for gas and electric tankless.

2) Check that circuit breaker is not tripped. Push circuit breaker all the way one direction and then all the way back other direction.

3) There are fuses located inside the tankless unit, so check your manual for location of each fuse.
Manual is filled with useful maintenance and troubleshooting steps.

4) Before calling service technician, open following link for troubleshoot resources including manuals, Rheem on-line chat, and useful links for maintaining tankless water heater.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Troubleshoot-Rheem-Tankless-water-heater.html

5) If you had nearby lightning strike, I don't know if your tankless is protected from surge.
I recommend whole-house surge protector for tank and tankless water heater electronics, and household circuits. Surge protection is installed in main breaker box, and is replaced after each surge event. Separate protection needed for co-ax TV satellite, co-ax surge protection can be found on some ordinary power strips.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Intermatic-trippers-and-parts.html#surge
0helpful
1answer

Rheem 49 gal model 81V400B - hot water lasting only 5-10 minutes then takes an hour to heat back up.

Ordinary tank-type electric water heaters are fully repairable by homeowner.

A) Basic info on Rheem
Rheem electric water heater website:
http://www.rheem.com/products/tank_water_heaters/electric_water_heaters/
Find age of Rheem: look 2nd and 3rd digit of serial number, for example 06 is 2006

B) Water heater has some hot water.
That says certain things: upper element is working, water heater electricity is working, reset button is not tripped, and heater is not experiencing run-away overheating event.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

C) That leaves 4 suspects that cause lower amount of hot water.

1) TP valve is running hot water out of tank -or- leaking faucet is running hot water out of tank.
Check for leaks
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-TP-valve.html

2) Lower element is burned out.
Test lower element using inexpensive multi-meter from Home Depot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
Replace element with same wattage shown on label, and clean out sediment:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

2) Upper or lower thermostat is bad.
Replace both thermostats for about $25.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

3) Burned or shorted wire located between upper and lower sections of tank.
Turn off power. Open covers on side of tank. Remove insulation. Inspect parts for signs of high heat and burning. Especially check lower element. Tighten any loose wires. Replace part that shows signs of burning.
Put insulation and cover back over thermostats so cooler outside temperature doesn't cause thermostat to misread tank temperature.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

Add a comment for more free help.
Also take advantage of fixya phone service.
For a price, expert speaks with you over phone while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.
0helpful
1answer

I am only receiving half of the normal amount of hot water.

You have electric water heater.
Electric water heaters are fully repairable by homeowner, excluding hybrid type.

Rheem electric water heaters:
http://www.rheem.com/products/tank_water_heaters/electric_water_heaters/
Rheem fury series manuals and models
http://www.rheem.com/product.aspx?id=09DF2BDD-5E11-4D32-B574-84ACFB8A4619

Age of Rheem water heater is shown first 4 digits of serial number located on side of tank: for example 0705 means July 2005.
Serial number also shows model number & wattage of elements in case you need to buy new generic 4-bolt type 4500 Watt element from hardware store.

A) If your water heater receives very cold incoming water, it may not heat fast enough to keep tank warm.
Add a tempering tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Tempering-tank.html
Add insulation over entire water heater except TP valve. Insulate pipes completely.
Read more information:
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

B) 40 or 50 gallon water heater is 240Volts and tank will have 2 access panels on front.
Rheem ships all water heaters with 4500 Watt elements.

Narrow down the suspects:
C) Water heater has some hot water.
This tells us upper element is working.
And that water heater electricity is working.
And that reset button is not tripped.
And that heater is not experiencing run-away overheating event.

That gives us 3 solid suspects.
1) lower element is burned out. Test lower element using inexpensive multi-meter from Home Depot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
Replace element with same wattage shown on label, and clean out sediment:
This will restore water heater to full 99% efficiency.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

2) Upper or lower thermostat is bad. Replace both thermostats for about $25.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
If you want to test thermostats and all parts before replacing anything:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

3) Burned or shorted wire. Turn off power. Open covers on side of tank. Remove insulation. Inspect parts for signs of high heat and burning. Especially lower element. Tighten any loose wires. Replace part that shows signs of burning.
Put insulation and cover back over thermostats so cooler outside temperature doesn't cause thermostat to misread tank temperature.

geno_3245_185.jpgRheem 4500 watt element
0helpful
1answer

The water want stay hot very long

You have electric water heater.
Electric water heaters are fully repairable by homeowner, excluding hybrid type.

Rheem electric water heaters:
http://www.rheem.com/products/tank_water_heaters/electric_water_heaters/
Rheem fury series manuals and models
http://www.rheem.com/product.aspx?id=09DF2BDD-5E11-4D32-B574-84ACFB8A4619

Age of Rheem
water heater is first 4 digits of serial number located on side of tank: for example 0705 means July 2005.
Serial number also shows model number & wattage of elements.

A) If your water heater receives very cold incoming water, it may not heat fast enough to keep tank warm.
Add a tempering tank.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Tempering-tank.html
Add insulation over entire water heater except TP valve. Insulate pipes completely.
Read more information:
http://waterheatertimer.org/9-ways-to-save-with-water-heater.html

B) If cold outside temperatures are not to blame, your water heater may have a bad thermostat or bad lower element.

C) 40 or 50 gallon water heater is 240Volts and tank will have 2 access panels on front.
Rheem ships all water heaters with 4500 Watt elements.

Narrow down the suspects:
D) Water heater has some hot water.
This tells us upper element is working.
And that water heater electricity is working.
And that reset button is not tripped.
And that heater is not experiencing run-away overheating event.

That gives us 3 solid suspects.
1) lower element is burned out. Test lower element using inexpensive multi-meter from Home Depot.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html
Replace element with same wattage shown on label, and clean out sediment:
This will restore water heater to full 99% efficiency.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

2) Upper or lower thermostat is bad. Replace both thermostats for about $25.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html
If you want to test thermostats and all parts before replacing anything:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html

3) Burned or shorted wire. Turn off power. Open covers on side of tank. Remove insulation. Inspect parts for signs of high heat and burning. Especially lower element. Tighten any loose wires. Replace part that shows signs of burning.
Put insulation and cover back over thermostats so cooler outside temperature doesn't cause thermostat to misread tank temperature.
geno_3245_183.jpgRheem element

0helpful
1answer

Water is not hot, doesn't last long. Thermostats turn elements on when turned up. Elements show 230 when on.

Lower element can be burned out and still read 230V across screws

1) We know thermostats are working because elements test 230V.
2) We know upper element is working because tank has some hot water.
If upper element is burned out, tank will have no hot water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-it-works.html

3) Here's how to test lower element:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

4)Here's how to replace element
Rheem element is 4500Watt bolt-in type
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-clean-sediment-out-of-electric-water-heater.html

5) Rheem manual says: Heaters furnished with standard 240 volt AC, single phase non-simultaneous wiring, and 4500 watt upper and lower heating elements.
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Rheem-spec-sheet.pdf

geno_3245_94.jpgRheem 4500Watt element
0helpful
1answer

Top heating element was broke. Replaced got hot water for week. Now have to run hot water for 20 mins before it goes from warm to hot. Top heating element reads 240VAC bottom heating element reads...

look for a badly connected power line ont he bottom element, or any connection upstream of the power terminals. voltage readings usually drop to that range when you only have one side of the 220v circuit connected.
1helpful
1answer

Not getting the amount of hot water I used to get

Remove power from WH Remove heating element covers and, insullation you will see two screws and, a red button (reset) for each element; push the button for each element to reset them; put everything back repower and, test. If the problem is still there: Remove power, test element screws with a meter set for resistance; if no continuity drain WH and, replace element(s)
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