"Rowland" wrote in message
...
It's ten years old, it just stopped heating the water, and I'd like to
try to repair it myself before paying a repairman. But where to get the
part in a reasonable time frame? Home Depot says they don't carry it.

It's a Craftmaster model E1E4ORDO45. If I have to buy a whole new one,
I'd want a plug-in replacement. I don't want to fiddle with welded
copper pipes.


Repeat the mantra Google is my friend...Google is my friend...Google is my
friend...

This page:
http://www.waterheaterparts.net/cgi-...&search=action
is on the parts website for the company that made your heater, American
Water Heater Company. There is a good chance that, since they sell parts
online and these are the only types of thermostats they show, one of them is
what you need. If not, go to http://www.americanwaterheater.com and ask for
a replacement.

Oh yeah, water heater thermostats are not "plug in" and require that you
know how to disconnect/reconnect some wires and replace a screw-in plumbing
part in a matter that will prevent a leak. But the company referenced above
offers full instructions.
--
John McGaw
[Knoxville, TN, USA]
http://johnmcgaw.com