How To Check Electric Water Heater Elements & Thermostats With Power On & Off

[@dawnmyers9454]

I am a nurse and I used your video to troubleshoot my water heater. Purchased a multimeter and went through the steps. Diagnosed a bad thermostat and replaced both. Enjoying hot water again! Thank you for all the ladies with limited skills!

[@robertvick3588]

P]]

[@woodywoodman2319]

Miss you are a National Treasure! Me likes! ;)

[@helenachase5627]

Way to go !

[@enriquecoria962]

Where did you get the parts

[@able880]

That's a good testimony

[@robertfitzgerald5371]

I am an hvac tec of 8 years. Also work on water heaters. This is the best educational video on this subject I’ve seen. Will definitely show this to the new guys.

[@robertmeling1549]

I rarely do reviews, but this water heater diagnosis process was so well done I HAD to thank Benjamin for putting it out there. I'm a retired engineer and appreciated the thorough yet clear approach to diagnosis. I was able to use the video to diagnose my buddy's solar/electric combo heater to determine the element was bad, then replace the element. This was fortunate because the plumber that installed the system had a ten day wait before they could do the repair. Fortunately the solar portion of the system was working! Thank you Benjamin!

[@arstou]

This was by far the best tutorial about electric water heater. Thanks.

[@rayclark8773]

This video is the "gift that keeps on giving." I replaced a heating element and thermostats on my water heater 2 1/2 years ago when the water suddenly got scalding hot. I just replaced it all because I didn't know how to test it. When the same thing happened again last night, I found this tutorial and watched it. I followed along step by step with my cheap multi-meter and have isolated the problem to the lower heating element. Faster, cheaper, and better than just replacing the whole kit all over again. Thanks!

[@motoritis345]

I am trying to diagnose a similar issue with my tank and I am about to replace the thermostats under warranty. How would a failed heating element cause an increase in temperature? Just curious in case I have a bad element as well. Thanks!

[@friggoogl5582]

From a licensed tradesman plumber who is still learning every day, great video. Definitely learned some things.

[@cheddarroman2536]

Dude you literally just helped me diagnose my water heater issue all by myself and replace the component that was broken. My wife is praising me but honestly all the credit goes to you! The is by far the best video on electric water heater on the internet.

[@boogerTwells]

Take the credit bro. You found the video! 😅

[@daroccot]

Great video and explanation. I just finished installing my water heater and was drawn to this video because I was concerned that only one element was getting voltage. Now I learned that is normal. Thanks for the great explanation and breakdown of each component.

[@chuckberry3756]

This video provides all the info homeowners need to troubleshoot an electric water heater. I wish I would've found it before I called a service guy, but it still really helped because it gave me the information I needed to question him. It turned out when I starting asking questions, he didn't know the answers to common questions and I found out he didn't even test the thermostats. Every service guy should know these answers and by asking them it lead him to what was wrong with my water heater and it saved me from an unnecessary water heater replacement. Thanks so much.

[@ernst6287]

You just saved me. 5 minutes after watching your video, I fixed my water heater. It stops working 3 days ago, since Friday night after a power outage that went on an off multiple times. Thank you so much for a great and detailed video. You deserve a 5 star and an new subscriber.

[@dandydenni1615]

I’ve watched a LOT of electric hot water heater troubleshooting and repair videos lately, as I have been struggling with an intermittent hot water issue (occasionally cool water). Yours is the BEST of all the videos I watched. I am saving it for future reference. So, I found my issue. Finally started being cold more often than hot… so that helped troubleshooting. No power in the heater even with the circuit breaker on. Verified power into the circuit breaker and no power out. Went to remove the circuit breaker to replace it (I have had other bad ones in this house, built just 4 years ago)… anyway, the white wire FELL out of the breaker! So, the original installing electrician never tightened the terminal on the breaker. Repaired! No parts required.

[@neallemmons]

must watch video if having water heater issues. this saved me from buying a new water heater. I had trouble with mine for years. replaced pressure valve 3 times in 3 yrs. it kept over heating every so many months. following this trouble shooting step by step, come to find out the lower thermostat was intermittingly working. Thanks for saving me money for a new tank. ( Reliance electric hot water tank )

[@onefastdriver7358]

Thanks! I was replacing thermostats but didn’t understand that they didn’t both run at once. When you explained about turning one thermostat down (the click), and that the other should power up, I could now see that power was going through and the connections were live.

[@nmartin5551]

Benjamin!!! Thank you so much!!! I used your instruction twice now. The first time several months ago, I had ordered new thermostats and anode rods. But then the water heater started working again, so I didn’t use them. Well, it stopped a week ago. I did the testing, and AGAIN everything tested okay. But I knew I didn’t have hot water, so I went ahead and installed the new thermostats. AND I HAVE HOT WATER!!!!! It is not overrated!!

[@edmo1166]

I dont do reviews, but this is an excelent tutorial, It saved me time and money to troubleshoot

[@chrisv4640]

When learning about electric water heaters, that order of operation on the elements was the hardest thing to wrap my head around. This is a really great explanation! And I love how you keep it real and leave the in the parts that other creators would edit out like the interrupting phone call! If you ever start a Patreon I will be your first member.

[@paulbates4775]

Ben - a great video. I can add one tip: my water heater was on the same thermostat setting for 7 years since it was installed. I check all according to your video and all was ok. Then I thought to change the set point on the thermostats to see if the discs were just tired of being at the same tension. Bingo! Back in service immediately. I bought a full kit of thermos and elements to keep on hand. Thank you!

[@johnoconnor5706]

thanks for walking us thru this thermostat function & wiring. what you didn't cover, the part I was most interested in, is how to remove the (in my case the upper) thermostat. It isn't immediately obvious and in my case the hot water heater is working and i didn't want to risk replacing the upper tstat and risk it not functioning after. but the tutorial was very complete. thanks, JOC

[@DukeBiggsley]

This is the best water heater testing video on youtube. Instead of just "put the leads here and look for this", everything is explained in detail.

[@pilararaujo9632]

One of the most complete explanations that I ever see concerning electric water heaters.

[@jamesmacneil1609]

One of the most professional & well explained videos I have ever seen on KZbin. Nice, no bad language too. Your little girl is adorable.

[@fugoogle8907]

This was extremely helpful. My issue was simple looking back, but not clear (at least to me) to troubleshoot. I was not getting 240 across the top legs of the top thermostat, was reading zero. I was getting 120 each leg to ground. I knew to look above the thermostat at least. It was a sub panel "fuse" not breaker that had opened. As soon as I replaced it, getting 240 again at top. I didn't realize that with one leg down, BOTH sides would still be 120. I thought if one was tripped, only one side would have 120 and the other would be zero.

[@grzewnicki]

Excellent video! I knew that only one element was powered at a time, but the whys and hows were unknown until watching this. Quick tip, if you replace a water heater due to leaking (it is still working correctly other wise), remove the thermostats, and heating elements and keep on hand as spares. It will get you through in an emergency.

[@scrambler350]

You're an excellent teacher, those kids are lucky to have you in their lives.

[@cachapma99]

Excellent job. We sell these Marathon Water Heaters at my electric cooperative. I get to work on them for our members when they have problems. You did an excellent job of describing the diagnosis of a faulty water heater.

[@Supremo44]

Great job. I'm an electrical engineer, but your video, although a bit of an overkill for me, was very helpful in determining my issue (thermostat control "stuck").

[@classic287]

I have changed those heater rods before, and thermostats, but I never checked the voltage. I just got lucky replacing the correct part each time 🤷🏼‍♂️ Now I can pinpoint the problem much better. Thanks 😊

[@billp3914]

Thank you I’ve been changing them for years. And never knew the diagnostic to that level Most I replace are due to rust and leaking.

[@nyjay12]

Thank you, I'm just a lowly welder and have been fighting this tank since we moved here.....turns out my bottom thermostat was faulty causing the top element to burn out all the time. Gratitude!

[@squirrelwesson3969]

This was exactly the video I needed to eliminate the causes of my issues. It answered questions I had about how and when each element is actually in service etc. But, turns out my issues were actually within the power box supplying the juice. It's hard to say with certainty what's going on, but something is causing things to heat up and blowing fuses. I can see the problems lie within the old style throw switch and contacts. When I plug it into my other power box intended for my dryer, the problem disappears and everything is good to go. I should really look into getting things updated to breaker boxes someday,,, but,, it's how the house was when I bought it lol. Funny the weird way I gotta learn things. But this video was extremely helpful to me in my journey to figuring out WHERE my problem was. I'm posting all of this in hopes it might help another guy in my situation who may have a similar unknown issue and is turning to your excellent video for guidance 🤣🤣. Thanks again!!!👍👍👍

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

This is the most thorough and super helpful video on this topic!! I knew almost nothing about how to test my hot water tank functions before watching this. Afterward, I was able to ascertain that the problem is with the hot water tank circuit breaker itself, not anything on the tank. Thank you so much! 😊

[@utubejeff1]

I just successfully repaired our water heater for $28 thanks to your excellent KZbin step-by-step video. Thank you for posting it. I always give a thumbs-up to videos that are good video and audio quality and are entertaining or useful. I didn't subscribe because I don’t have to do this type of repair often; but I'll find you if the need arises in the future. Keep up the good work.

[@suffolkguy]

You do a phenomenal job of teaching! I cannot believe how well I now understand my hot water heater!!

[@danielsmith9130]

I'm completely unprepared when it comes to this type of troubleshooting but I've attempted a lot of other DIYs. No disrespect to other youtube videos, but yours has given me confident knowledge I can use to fix my HWH. Thank you, sir! Subscribed.

[@nhzxboi]

Knew it all but like your clarity. I work with and design controls for industrial ovens. Nothing simpler than a domestic water heater. Thumb up. Scan mode? Not my meters. Cool though. Love it. Diagnosing things that aren't broken. You, like many, must have too much free time right now. :)

[@claytonfite3197]

I have wired and hooked up a few hundred hot water heaters as I'm a 63-year-old electrician. Hook them up! Fill full of water first then turn them on. The water gets heated up and no issues. Move on to the next new construction job and start wiring another building. This week I needed to check out a hot water heater. I said well I'm not a plumber but it is an electric hot water heater. How hard could it be? I looked for information did some probing on my own. Came close to your procedure. However, I was stumped with this upper thermostat and how it was supposed to work. I found and replaced a bad lower heating element. I just could not understand the logic of heating the top before the bottom. But it is how it is. The hot water heater is now working and the water is hot again and not tripping the two-pole breaker. This is a very good video and I enjoyed learning the information I was looking for. I will now subscribe to your channel. This was fun thank you.

[@francoisguyot9770]

Great video Ben! Clear, focused and concise. Could benefit of a side by side schematic to simplify the explanation. But that's simple enough for most DIYers. Incidentally I have the same Marathon and I cannot believe Rheem discontinued this product. I got mine , for 50$... brand new! The new house owner distrusted the plastic and bought an instant instead. I ditched my gas heater heater because I installed a solar system and after trying this at 120VAC from my inverter, I realized the saving was substantial to switch over. Why did I connect it to 120VAC? Well I usually get excess solar output around noon for about 4 hours and that's plenty of time to get this 40 gal very hot. It draws about 9A at this voltage . I did not change the elements because I think a lower voltage and current is more gentle in terms of corroding the elements. They will last twice as long and since the tank is plastic, I do not fear corrosion there. The tank sits in outide my backyard next to the shower wall to minimize the heat drop within the piping and if it leaks I won't flood in my garage. But during the winter the heat drop was significant and the inverter worked harder. So I wrapped the tank with a very thick blanket of foam insulation about 8" thick and now it stays hot for 3 days without additional power even though I did not add insulation at the bottom. by the way i did not ground the tank electrical connection, but perhaps I should, considering what you said about elements corrosion. But my pipes are PEX... so i do not believe that tap water is conductive enough within the pipe to get you zapped. But your comment makes sense and I will use a GFC to disconnect power using the grounded connection. Thanks I enjoy watching your videos, they are so useful.

[@codymitchell6238]

Great instructions! I was really frustrated since I installed all new components. Your video helped me find the problem. Ended up being a bad wire connection at the wall socket!

[@CRQF]

It’s the best video by far, hot water tank broke down today followed this video and determined it was the lower heating element. Replaced the element and bingo hot water again.

[@bradybell6129]

As others have said, great video! The only thing that I would add would be a circuit diagram; it would make it easier to follow in your verbal description of the switching of the upper and lower elements. (My upper thermostat came with a good circuit diagram.) I would recommend leaving the covers off until after you have turned the power on. It turned out that my upper thermostat was bad. I thought that a bad heater element had caused the overload to trip, but as soon as I pushed in the reset button, the bottom left wire going from the switch to the element got so hot that the insulation started to melt at the switch. I had already replaced both heating elements, because I have had several go bad, so I hadn't bothered to check them. (Later, I found out that electrically they still checked out good, but replacing them at the same time as the thermostats was probably good maintenance.)

[@victoriamartens2652]

I found this video a helpful counterpart in that way. Great diagram and demonstration! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKOldKasiaymnbM

[@austin3626]

Your great at explaining things. This is an under rated skill. It doesn’t matter how much you know to the student if you cannot convey it to them effectively.

[@Mr_Ed]

You are my hero! Your video helped me diagnose and replace the broken thermostat on my heater. Only cost me $30

[@douglastate3538]

Great video! I've been trying to diagnose why my hot water runs out so quickly. I knew how to check the elements and they seem to be fine. I DIDN'T know how to test the thermostat. Apparently my upper thermostat is defective. Your video showed me the proper steps to test that. You're very clear and thorough and you've earned another subscriber! Thanks!

[@genehart261]

I consider myself pretty savvy but this explained the problem with running out of hot water. All of these components including elements less than 40 bucks delivered on amazon. Thanks.

[@CaptainBuzzBee]

This is a very good video tutorial about electric water heaters. I found this video because I am having issues with my hot water heater and this information allowed me to affect my own repair for the cost of parts.

[@trebledog]

It's the day before Christmas, and my WH bottom finally rusted away, water leaking all over the carport. And it's one o'clock in the morning. Your video saved my sore spirits, gave me a clear understanding of how to install a new heater first thing in the next few hours with confidence. Consider me subscribed. Thanks. Now if you can help me figure out how to turn on the red nose on my reindeer, I'll make my schedule tonight for tomorrow.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Merry Christmas!

[@trebledog]

@@BenjaminSahlstrom 👌🏽

[@jacklee8163]

Ben, this was very best, easy to follow and professional step by step video I have ever seen. I resolved my problem with the confidence that I knew what I was looking at without any guess work. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@loveeveryone8057]

Thank you so much for helping other people understand .....so much appreciated and you are so much loved.

[@gusty60]

Excellent lesson on how the thermostats work.

[@davidoakes75]

Problem solved thanks to this video. I was able to determine that the water heater was not getting power due to a bad breaker switch in my electrical panel. This video saved me from having to call a professional. Awesome.

[@ARCHORPM]

Thank you so much I just replaced my water heater and the new one wouldnt work and I didnt wont to take the hole thing back out, with your help I found out the upper heating element was bad. I replaced it in 10 mins and all is good.

[@jerrybeauchamp3259]

My unit would trip the reset button on occasion and sometimes activate the pressure relief valve. After watching this excellent video, I think I found the problem, a loose connection. If not , I now know what to do next! Thank you Ben

[@geoffreyherman4004]

Thanks Ben, excellent job as always!!!! I'm going to send it to my sister in Idaho because she had recent issues with her HW heater in a new home.

[@kenboylan7156]

You just saved me a whole bunch of time and money! I can't even begin to tell how much this company wanted to so call fix my problem... Benny your the man !

[@justinshaffer3419]

Excellent video. I now fully understand how the top thermostat works and the 125 vs 240 volts. Top element wasn't working on mine so turned thermostat down until the bottom kicked in and now have hot water until I can get the new element tomorrow. Awesome. Also, subscribed to learn more.

[@SeaTravelr123]

Wonderful video. You have given me the confidence to test this heater. Rheem has been little to no help. 2nd heater. Not working. No hot water. Very frustrated.

[@bishoujo73]

Very good and detailed video!! I watched so many, and YOURS answered my question I was struggling with for the past 4 hrs! I got the top thermostat to work, but couldn't get the bottom to work! I was so frustrated. 🤬 I switched out everything, both thermostats and both heating elements. Drained the tank twice, redid my work over and over, shutting power off for the whole house wt one point, just trying to rest.. Nothing.. Until i watched your video!! 😲 🤦‍♀️ All the other videos didn't explain the top has to heat up first to switch on the bottom. 🙄 I subscribed because you are good at your job, and explaining! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! 😁

[@theinterpretationstation]

Brilliant explanations. One of my favourite KZbin channels for learning stuff I never had a clue about before

[@tomrobertson5988]

GREAT VIDEO. IN ALL THE VIDEOS I HAVE WATCHED NO ONE SAYS WHAT TO DO WITH AN ELEMENT THAT READS 25 OR HIGHER

[@jacobkilcrease1656]

Man i work in maintenance working on ac units and other electrical devices, You don't know how much you touched my heart when you said take a picture of the wiring first 🥹🥹 such an important thing people don't think to do lol

[@LeuCustomKnives]

Excellent! Nice and super clear to understand. Some people online should not be doing tutorials as they are hard to understand (heavy accents) or their videos are blurry or too far away to learn anything! My water heater has tripped the internal switch twice in the past month or so. This second time the hot water is staying much hotter than the last time.

[@That_Guy-z2l]

This was probably one of the best tutorials i have seen. I watched the "robot" one that pops up first and it was ok. Yours is WAY more detailed and informative. I dont normally subscribe, but i did for you. Thank you.

[@deanrhodenizer938]

Ben, thanks again, another useful video. Not meaning to be too critical, but at approximately 14:40 you talked about checking the main thermal trip device with the power on. If the device is opened (both sides) then all that lies below it is isolated from the supply. Then measuring voltage between the top and bottom terminals on one side should be equivalent to connecting to one side of the 120V supply and (almost like) holding the other test lead in the air. The only reading that can come from this is the potential derived from a current leakage to ground presumably. I am sure your meter is very high impedance (it doesn’t put any appreciable load on the measured circuit) and hence you might get a reading depending on the amount of leakage. I believe that the best way to check this (with the device in place) was what you did for the top connectors. Confirm that 240V is present between these bottom connectors - this verifies that the supply has passed through this device and is available to power what lies beneath.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

Yes, you are correct and I thought of that after the fact. I am actually surprised that it took this long for someone to comment about it so excelent catch! If it was only disconnecting one side of the thermal overload then it would work the way I demonstrated but it is designed to cut off both sides so what I suggested is flawed as you mentioned. I don't know why I didn't catch that sooner but hopefully I demonstrated enough that people will still be able to figure it out. Thanks for the comment!

[@deanrhodenizer938]

Ben, thanks again. No worries.

[@krperry2007]

I was reading for this comment. Or check continuity on each side.

[@brentreynolds3671]

You are a natural teacher. it's like we are there with you. Thank you!

[@LCAPLS88]

Best video on KZbin on how to check your Thermostats and Elements. Well explained.

[@stephenkaloroplos5259]

Best water heater lesson I have ever seen.

[@michaelwalling8281]

extremely useful. Thanks so much. You Tube and guys like you are a miracle of this modern age.

[@davidfreemanjr3794]

One of the best videos period ! Thanks Alot. ! On my way to fix a 2 year old AO Smith "Signature Premier " that's over heating and the warning buzzer is going off.

[@cdintegritymatters6663]

Absolutely brilliant!!! I have 30+ years as a licensed electrician, field of electrical engineering and you have developed educational material that exceeds most of the professors I have been associated with. The presentation of concepts, demonstrations, rate of delivery, involving others and sharing their reactions, and sprinkling the real world interruptions makes what you are doing here extraordinary. After watching one of your videos, I watched another as I was sure it was not possible you delivered again. I was wrong. So I watched another and yes another. All the same quality. Of course I hit the subscribe button as others will no doubt do. I know the time it takes to develop just one video as you have done here. Please continue your work as not everyone can afford to the cost of being an engineer although they have the passion and talent. And although an engineer may have that HP calculator, they may be lacking outside of the theoretical. Outstanding!

[@danpettis1675]

Awesome video. direct to the point. I never thought about the possibility of getting a shock though the water. I'm a maintenance technician in a apartment complex. and I deal with these all the time. I've changed out plenty of those elements. that were completely corroded away. I'm a little concerned now about getting a shock when washing my hands in that building now😆

[@juliozuniga6611]

Dang , you are good, I love your channel, I'm a plumber, the company I work we do service, plumbing and hvac, and I have to deal with electric water heaters all the time. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Great channel

[@chriscramer7901]

Followed the vid and it was very helpful. It seems I'm still running low on hot water much quicker than I previously did, but everything checked out ok.

[@GUILLERMOJGARZON]

I’m been fixing electric water heaters for a long time. Thanks so much for the deep explanation in the functionality of the electrical components. You have the best tutorial for fixing your electrical water heater.

[@little0101012012]

If you have a electric hot water tank this is the only video u need..excellent explanation 👌

[@dakaja9473]

Thank you for the time you invested doing this video. It follows safety first and guide any DYU like me. It gives a good reference on how to go and what steps to follow. Your work is highly appreciated. Thank you very much, and please... don't be shy; keep sharing your knowledge.

[@shafimehar4506]

Hi sir good day to you.I am watching from india.Today I just got a chance to attend a fault. I just scared after saw the thermostat and it's connection and also confused about the testing.But I really thank god to give this informational video about the tank type water heater. May god give you long life to upload such a useful videos to the viewers.once again thanks a lot sir😊

[@billcooper6674]

Great Video on how the components work on a Electric Hot Water Heater. I'm using the education you have given me and making a solar pre heat tank . Turning on and off the elements using DC voltage and two Solenoids plus not by passing the safety Thermostats which will only be operating on 24 Volts DC. DC high voltage will burn up most AC switchs. Thank you so much .

[@slikrik6098]

I just replaced my water heater,I filled tank before turning power on worked fine for 2 days then water went cold rest button was tripped pushed so far working good was wondering why it might have tripped??? Great channel here to stay 👊

[@mjw-li9gc]

Thanks, this video was exactly what I needed to diagnose and correct my upper element issues after my dry-fire mistake!

[@vilhelmhw]

Best and most informative video on the water heater repair I've seen. Should have probably watched this one first. Thanks a lot, and keep Your Beautiful assistant engaged.

[@KenCunningham921]

After this Texas freeze the breaker was thrown and when I re-activated it the breaker got warm and tripped again, thank you for this, it should be key to helping me figure out what the issue is with my water heater.

[@armaghumchurch8000]

Excellent video!! Very thorough. To really understand a piece of equipment you need to understand how it works not just a few quick tests. I am a senior controls technician at a power plant and have seen professional training materials not as well presented. thanks

[@johnnytoy5487]

👍 you gave the most understandable trouble shooting of a water heater than I have seen. Thank you

[@thats_really_cool]

Best water heater video period. Weird symptoms on mine . I had 125 v on both top leads to ground and 0 volts on top leads together. How is this possible . Replaced breaker got 250 at the top 2 screws. Back in business . Thanks for the vud

[@spelunkerd]

Schematic just after 12:46 for anybody who is interested. Great review, Ben! Once understood, as is typically the case, it turns out to be elegantly simple. Love the way you took apart the thermostats to see the thermal discs. For those who got here with a poorly functioning old style heater, don't forget the dip tube. These more modern ones route in the bottom so have no dip tube.

[@BenjaminSahlstrom]

I should have pointed out the schematic better as I thought if doing so but forgot. Thanks for sharing the timestamp!

[@JosephKeenanisme]

Thanks man, watching this the day after I did this on my water heater and my breaker box. Had to replace on of the circuit breakers. I only replaced the single element to get it running but bought the rebuild kit so replacing the whole upper and lower electronics just to have everything up to snuff. The idiot I bought this pace from was incompetent when it came to "fixing" things.

[@etownsterguy9489]

Excellent. Watched several times and then decided to take notes to keep things straight in my aging brain.

[@jacklee9538]

extremely thorough. Somewhat surprised at how the wires were connected to the screws of the thermostat. I would have expected them to be looped to provide a more complete and secure connection.

[@cadillacdan3404]

Good video it helped me solve my problem wasnt a heating element (which I though it first was after replacing it even though it tested good) it wasnt my thermostats it actually ended up being a breaker only having power on one leg but your video was the only one I found that broke down what Wire was what wich helped me figure out where were was coming in, thanks!

[@felehandymancook3994]

Hey Benjamin, great video. You have the answer I was lookin for my 11 year old 640DORT Reliance 40-Gallon electric water heater popping out the red reset button. I noticed that the water was coming out extremely hot at and above 165+ when I had both thermostats setting at 140F. I also removed and replaced the 29" inches anode rod which was entirely corroded with a new Aluminum one of 42" in length that I had to cut about 6 inches out to make to a length of 36" so It could fit from the top of the tank and the roof above it. (note that the tank is about 5 ft hight, so a 42" anode rod would be better than a 29, but I cut the 42 down to 36 inches and thus it will still last a little longer than the 29 ".) I also remove both 4500 watt @ 240vac elements and they where both cover with some kind of salty stone like deposits, specially the upper element. I cleaned both and tested both electrically and they were fine and within the resistance specs you provided, the upper with 13.4 and the lower with 13.5 ohms. I also cleaned and flushed out the debris from the the tank through the drain pipe until the water came out clean and clear. Then I filled it up and I power the unit and it seems to be working fine and the water temp is coming out around 127 to 130F with no leaks so far, but I will continue to check both thermostats as I suspect that one or both of them might be bad and or out of range? What do you suggest I do from here on as I am trying to save me some $ on parts?

[@ericgilson9060]

Very well done, subscribed. The only negative is that everything checked out, and I still wave only warm water....

[@petebovenzi8119]

Your content is always informative and entertaining . It's the way you put things as simply as possible that gave me the confidence to actually install my own generator interlock and inlet box . I never would have even opened my own panel before , now here"s me changing out breakers and moving circuits around in there . Thanks for keepin it down to earth . Big fan , Pete

[@cheke102072]

Wow!!! This is the most useful, explanatory video that I have ever watched, I did subscribe to your channel and I encouraged others to do it too, thanks for sharing. I just found out my water heater stopped working last night, now I have knowledge to start working, once again, thank you.

[@jpgervais2208]

Thank you for clearfying the way water system works

[@daryldickerson2325]

Really good explanation of how everything works. I especially appreciate the thermostat operation.

[@260bill260]

I am not an electrical engineer but my electrical friends always taught me twinkle twinkle little star power equals I squared R. Of course power equals E I also . thanks for your video very good

[@NorthernChev]

This video answered questions I didn't even know I had. Well done.

[@ispersahdo]

Man, you have a didactic of a professor. You simply ministered a small course on this video. Excellent!

[@stevewilson5015]

Thanks

[@sethfinney9945]

You are one of the best at explaining this video of how to troubleshoot hwh elements and thermostats. You put it in layman terms so pretty much anyone can follow them and find out what is wrong with them . Turns out I had a bad upper thermostat that was stuck so it was trying to heat both elements at the same time so was tripping the breaker. Much Respect and Thanks again for everything. Also by the way you earned another Subscriber. I will recommend you to all my partners. Keep up the great job.

[@renemartin5764]

I'm having trouble with a really old 6 gallon. This video was beyond more than helpful. And I dropped my no touch tester down the wall.. I replaced the single element and thermostat. And it's still not warming up

[@marleywade4908]

Definitely a big help way more in depth than others videos now I have a little more confidence with troubleshooting on water heaters