Jester896
Senior Clown
I sure miss my AO Smith now that I have a Rheem. I replaced mine just because it was old (20) for something more efficient. I remember the days I used to have hot water.
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Water heater question--about to lose my religion
- Thread starter Throwback
- Start date
twtabb
Senior Member
Read this post today. Thinking I have had my share of hot water and plumbing issues. Got to farm house tonight and breaker keeps tripping on water heater. Looked on sticker and it had the year 2004. Should I see about fixing it or just get a new one and be done with it?
Throwback
Chief Big Taw
The one I have is around $400 for a 50 gallon electric Rheem water heater at HD. for that $ I’d put a new one in and be done with it. Be my luck I’d repair it and come back in a couple weeks and it would have flooded the house
dixiecutter
Eye Devour ReeB
I missed the party. But in case this helps
You got unlucky. They're good heaters. And yes Rheem = 6 years. Broken dip tube will cause you to not get hot water. It would never explain the scalding hot, and the constant tripping. Those are electrical shorts. Bad wire or connection somewhere in there causing too much amperage. That same short likely cooked one or both of the t-stats causing it to misbehave. Anyway, assuming you have legit 230 or 240v coming in on a decent 10/2 wire, a new heater will fix you up and you can finally get a bath because man, look at you.
You got unlucky. They're good heaters. And yes Rheem = 6 years. Broken dip tube will cause you to not get hot water. It would never explain the scalding hot, and the constant tripping. Those are electrical shorts. Bad wire or connection somewhere in there causing too much amperage. That same short likely cooked one or both of the t-stats causing it to misbehave. Anyway, assuming you have legit 230 or 240v coming in on a decent 10/2 wire, a new heater will fix you up and you can finally get a bath because man, look at you.
dixiecutter
Eye Devour ReeB
I'd find out why the breaker is tripping. Especially if it's at a farmhouse. Wouldn't start off throwing a water heater at it.
twtabb
Senior Member
Breaker would stay on about 5 min then trip. I did get hot water but it tripped again. I am on a well in south west ga. Tank has never been drained original everything. However it only gets used occasional not on when we are not there and only when we need hot water.
Sure it’s full of sediment. Probably a bad element but I feel like we got our money’s worth.
Will get electrician/plumber by there to look at it.
Sure it’s full of sediment. Probably a bad element but I feel like we got our money’s worth.
Will get electrician/plumber by there to look at it.
If it's tripping the t Stat reset button,,,,bad element,,,,
So @Throwback is the warranty replacement unit working okay?
normaldave
GON Weatherman
Leaving a placeholder here for "Dip Tube", when the new heater magically fixes all the electrical and temperature issues. 
(hope this helps).
(...and preparing myself for the online onslaught).
"Hold...HOLD!"
(hope this helps).(...and preparing myself for the online onslaught).
Throwback
Chief Big Taw
Rheem didn’t mention a dip tube and I didn’t bring it up since she said “new unit”Leaving a placeholder here for "Dip Tube", when the new heater magically fixes all the electrical and temperature issues.
(...and preparing myself for the online onslaught).
??????
Throwback
Chief Big Taw
Well I got hot water. Like to have had to go to jail at Home Depot but ?
Good deal,,,,if it was the dip tube,,,,which is wasn't,,,,you made out,,,,Well I got hot water. Like to have had to go to jail at Home Depot but ?
It wasn't a dip tube,,,,trust me,,,,
Jail might’ve been better than telling the boss lady she still didn’t have bath waterWell I got hot water. Like to have had to go to jail at Home Depot but ?
CHANDLECTRIC
Senior Member
This water heater can be repaired, why was a 20amp breaker on it? should be a 30 with #10 wire, both elements never come on at the same time, never!
The thermostats are wired wrong. Check amps ( @18.75 amps for a 4500 watt element) make sure thermostats are in contact with tank, the resets on t-stats trip for for high temp . Your electrician should repair this , possibility your Plummer.
The thermostats are wired wrong. Check amps ( @18.75 amps for a 4500 watt element) make sure thermostats are in contact with tank, the resets on t-stats trip for for high temp . Your electrician should repair this , possibility your Plummer.
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