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| Sudden Loss of ALL Hot Water | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14th, 2008 10:57 pm |
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1st Post |
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dapostman Member 
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 My Rheem Model # 81V52D 1PH 240V 50 Gal. suddenly stopped providing hot water.I checked the Circuit Breaker and it was not tripped. I cycled it on and off a few time just in case. I took a volt meter and checked the water heater elements and found that the top element read 225V while the bottom read only approximately 80V. I tried pushing the reset button but this had no effect. I purchased a new Heating Element (Not a Rheem part but a Camco 1500W 240V) in addition a Upper Double Pole Thermostat (also Camco). My questions are: 1.) Am I on the right track or have I missed something? 2.) would the condition of the Anode Rod cause this problem? ( I have not looked at it's condition yet.) 3.) Should I expect a problem using non Rheem parts? 4.) Can anyone offer additional input or suggestions? Last edited on Sat Jun 14th, 2008 10:58 pm by dapostman |
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15th, 2008 07:14 am |
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2nd Post |
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eleent Member
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Hello: I'll assume you do get good water flow from the heater, it's just cold. Check under the upper hatch to see if you have 240 VAC above the high limit button at the upper thermostat. Got power? If not, check back at the breakers. If you do have power from the first test, check after the high limit and on down the line. Let us know what you find  Yours, Larry
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15th, 2008 03:32 pm |
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3rd Post |
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dapostman Member
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Thanks for the reply. Yes I have good water flow and yes it is cold. I checked the voltage through out and it reads 225V every where but at the Lower Heating Element which reads 80V. Since I my original post I have replaced the Upper Thermostat but I get the same results in Voltage and still no hot water. I am currenty draining the water heater to replace the Lower Heating Element. Question: Should the Lower Heating Element have a lower Voltage than the Upper? There is also a thermistat at the Lower Heating Element. Question: Could this be causing the problem? I appreciate the help!
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15th, 2008 04:12 pm |
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4th Post |
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eleent Member
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Hello: I think my brain is finally in gear. The upper element is getting power, but not heating. I'd replace it. Please do turn the power and water off first  Yours, Larry
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15th, 2008 04:26 pm |
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5th Post |
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dapostman Member
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I have not replaced either Element yet and I have only one new one at the present. Should I replace the top Element first? Can you address the Voltage difference in the two Elements? Also what about the Lower Thermostat? Could that be the problem?
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15th, 2008 06:15 pm |
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6th Post |
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dapostman Member
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I think my problem may have been solved. I replaced the Top Element ( As Larry suggested) Filled The Tank (Ooops forgot the gasket) lowered the water below the Top Element and installed the gasket Topped off the tank and removed air from system Checked for leaks attached electric wires to new Element then turned the power back on. I checked the Voltage at both Elements and they now both read 225V. Now I just need to wait and hope the water heats up. Note: The new heating element I purchased is shorter than the one I removed so I will replace it with the correct size if I get heat at all to the water. Again.. Thanks eleent (Larry)
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16th, 2008 01:14 pm |
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7th Post |
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energyexpert Member
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Your post said you replaced the existing element with a 1500 watt element. Never heard of a 1500 watt element at 240 volts. You said you had 225 volts across both elements. If you have voltage across both elements at the same time you are wired for simultaneous operation; very few residential WHs are factory wired this way. Most will say "upper 4500" "lower 4500" "total 4500". This means either the top element can heat or the lower element but not both at the same time. If you indeed used a 1500 watt element as replacement in the upper and have a 4500 in the lower, this would yield 6,000 watts and 25 amps at 240 volts. But if you go back and replace the upper with a 4500 watt element, you will have 9,000 watts. This will draw 37.5 amp if operated simultaneously and will soon trip a 30 amp breaker. David
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19th, 2008 03:58 am |
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8th Post |
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eleent Member
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Hello: A thought on voltage. You had roughly half voltage at the lower element. This is because power is only switched on one leg, or side. Two "Hot" legs are put together to get 240 volts. If one is switched off, no current flows, but you still have voltage there looking for a path to ground (like your body ). It's why you always check with a meter. When a tank is cold, the upper element is powered first. Once the top of the tank is hot, power is switched to the lower element. It's called non-simultaneous operation and is the normal way of doing business these days. It's worrisome that you find full voltage at both upper and lower elements at the same time. Yours, Larry
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