Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

I have a hot water heater that uses a small screw to set the temperature of
the water. I have the unit set at about 120-135 degrees, but the water
coming from the unit is more than 150. Also the breaker on the water heater
itself is kicking off each day and I have to reset it to get hot water. Any
ideas of why this is happening? What should I do?

Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

Russell Smith wrote:

I have a hot water heater that uses a small screw to set the temperature of
the water. I have the unit set at about 120-135 degrees, but the water
coming from the unit is more than 150. Also the breaker on the water heater
itself is kicking off each day and I have to reset it to get hot water. Any
ideas of why this is happening? What should I do?

2 possibilities:

The thermostat is defective (sticking?).

One of the elements has an internal fault to the element sheath.
This can allow current to flow even though the thermostat opens
(one side of) the circuit.

Jim

Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

Russell Smith wrote:

I have a hot water heater that uses a small screw to set the temperature of
the water. I have the unit set at about 120-135 degrees, but the water
coming from the unit is more than 150. Also the breaker on the water heater
itself is kicking off each day and I have to reset it to get hot water. Any
ideas of why this is happening? What should I do?

2 possibilities:

The thermostat is defective (sticking?).

One of the elements has an internal fault to the element sheath.
This can allow current to flow even though the thermostat opens
(one side of) the circuit.

Jim

Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

It is probably not a good idea to have the water heater on if the breaker
keeps going off. Unless you have a defective breaker, it is trying to tell
you something.

How many watts is the heater? How many amps is the breaker? Did it just
start doing this?
If you know someone with an ampmeter (or want to spend $30 for a really fun
tool) it would be nice to measure the amperage.

Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

It is probably not a good idea to have the water heater on if the breaker
keeps going off. Unless you have a defective breaker, it is trying to tell
you something.

How many watts is the heater? How many amps is the breaker? Did it just
start doing this?
If you know someone with an ampmeter (or want to spend $30 for a really fun
tool) it would be nice to measure the amperage.

Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

Save yourself the hassle, and replace both thermostats while you're at it.
(voice of experience..;-)

"effi" wrote in message
...
replace the thermostat yourself for about $20 probably

take safety precautions so you don't electrocute yourself


"Russell Smith" wrote in message
...
I have a hot water heater that uses a small screw to set the temperature
of
the water. I have the unit set at about 120-135 degrees, but the water
coming from the unit is more than 150. Also the breaker on the water
heater
itself is kicking off each day and I have to reset it to get hot water.
Any
ideas of why this is happening? What should I do?

Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

Save yourself the hassle, and replace both thermostats while you're at it.
(voice of experience..;-)

"effi" wrote in message
...
replace the thermostat yourself for about $20 probably

take safety precautions so you don't electrocute yourself


"Russell Smith" wrote in message
...
I have a hot water heater that uses a small screw to set the temperature
of
the water. I have the unit set at about 120-135 degrees, but the water
coming from the unit is more than 150. Also the breaker on the water
heater
itself is kicking off each day and I have to reset it to get hot water.
Any
ideas of why this is happening? What should I do?

Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

darned good point ; )

"mainiacs" wrote in message
...
Save yourself the hassle, and replace both thermostats while you're at it.
(voice of experience..;-)

"effi" wrote in message
...
replace the thermostat yourself for about $20 probably

take safety precautions so you don't electrocute yourself


"Russell Smith" wrote in message
...
I have a hot water heater that uses a small screw to set the
temperature
of
the water. I have the unit set at about 120-135 degrees, but the water
coming from the unit is more than 150. Also the breaker on the water
heater
itself is kicking off each day and I have to reset it to get hot
water.
Any
ideas of why this is happening? What should I do?

Overheating Hot Water Heater
 

darned good point ; )

"mainiacs" wrote in message
...
Save yourself the hassle, and replace both thermostats while you're at it.
(voice of experience..;-)

"effi" wrote in message
...
replace the thermostat yourself for about $20 probably

take safety precautions so you don't electrocute yourself


"Russell Smith" wrote in message
...
I have a hot water heater that uses a small screw to set the
temperature
of
the water. I have the unit set at about 120-135 degrees, but the water
coming from the unit is more than 150. Also the breaker on the water
heater
itself is kicking off each day and I have to reset it to get hot
water.
Any
ideas of why this is happening? What should I do?