Speedy Jim wrote:
You have 208V ?
Must be on a 120/208V 3-phase system?

Anyway, did you get 208V elements or the more common 240V ones?
This could be a red herring, but it might be part of the problem.


Might be a red herring? You think the small difference in heat output
of 208V vs 240V is going to account for a huge and noticeable loss in
heat capacity?



Aside from that, maybe the dip tube has gone bad and the
problem has nothing to with the electrical portion.

Jim



And why consider the dip tube, when he clearly says that with a tank
full of cold water he has no power going to either the lower element or
thermostat?

This just needs to be traced out with a voltmeter to find out why there
is no voltage at the lower element.