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burned water heater element GINO 07-12-2006
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Posted by GINO on July 12, 2006, 8:15 pm
I replaced a top element on an electric water heater ( double element) at
the cottage. We use lake water that is pumped up to a holding barrel above
the heater then feeds the heater. After replacing the element it took quite
a long time ti get water to run through the system to the tap, air pockets I
guess. The new element burned after a short while , it may have been due to
the air pockets and not much water in the top part of the tank.

Question: this heater has a thermostat for top and bottom element, should it
not turn off the element if it gets to hot , either if water is present or
not?



Posted by Joey on July 12, 2006, 8:54 pm
GINO wrote:
> I replaced a top element on an electric water heater ( double element) at
> the cottage. We use lake water that is pumped up to a holding barrel above
> the heater then feeds the heater. After replacing the element it took quite
> a long time ti get water to run through the system to the tap, air pockets I
> guess. The new element burned after a short while , it may have been due to
> the air pockets and not much water in the top part of the tank.
>
> Question: this heater has a thermostat for top and bottom element, should it
> not turn off the element if it gets to hot , either if water is present or
> not?
>
>

It's very common for the thermostats to go bad over time also. I always
replace the other element and both thermostats when I have problems. I
then run the water until it comes out normal before I turn the power
back on. It's just extra work to replace one element and then another
and then a thermostat and etc when you can do them all at once and it
will last a long time. Sorta like replacing all the hoses and belts on
your car--you don't want to get broken down.

J

Posted by Dave on July 12, 2006, 8:59 pm
Gino: No. The thermostat senses the water temperature, not the element
temperature. So, no water at the upper levl, no cooling of the element. I'd
bet it overheats and melts down in just a few seconds if no water. Next time
run the hot water till all air is out before applying power to the tank.

Dave


>I replaced a top element on an electric water heater ( double element) at
>the cottage. We use lake water that is pumped up to a holding barrel above
>the heater then feeds the heater. After replacing the element it took quite
>a long time ti get water to run through the system to the tap, air pockets
>I guess. The new element burned after a short while , it may have been due
>to the air pockets and not much water in the top part of the tank.
>
> Question: this heater has a thermostat for top and bottom element, should
> it not turn off the element if it gets to hot , either if water is present
> or not?
>



Posted by GINO on July 16, 2006, 1:33 am
Thanks guys,
I'll go up next weekend and try another again, maybe change the thermostat
at the same time
> Gino: No. The thermostat senses the water temperature, not the element
> temperature. So, no water at the upper levl, no cooling of the element.
> I'd bet it overheats and melts down in just a few seconds if no water.
> Next time run the hot water till all air is out before applying power to
> the tank.
>
> Dave
>
>
>>I replaced a top element on an electric water heater ( double element) at
>>the cottage. We use lake water that is pumped up to a holding barrel above
>>the heater then feeds the heater. After replacing the element it took
>>quite a long time ti get water to run through the system to the tap, air
>>pockets I guess. The new element burned after a short while , it may have
>>been due to the air pockets and not much water in the top part of the
>>tank.
>>
>> Question: this heater has a thermostat for top and bottom element, should
>> it not turn off the element if it gets to hot , either if water is
>> present or not?
>>
>
>



Posted by Stormin Mormon on July 12, 2006, 9:46 pm
No, for several reasons.

1) The heat transfer of air and water is different. A heater element
in water will distribute the heat a lot faster. Heater in air will
rise temperature very fast.

2) The thermostat is touching the wall of the tank. The heater element
is inside the tank. If the element comes on surrounded by air, there
isn't enough heat transfer to the thermostat. The thermostat stays
cool, and the element fries.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

I replaced a top element on an electric water heater ( double element)
at
the cottage. We use lake water that is pumped up to a holding barrel
above
the heater then feeds the heater. After replacing the element it took
quite
a long time ti get water to run through the system to the tap, air
pockets I
guess. The new element burned after a short while , it may have been
due to
the air pockets and not much water in the top part of the tank.

Question: this heater has a thermostat for top and bottom element,
should it
not turn off the element if it gets to hot , either if water is
present or
not?




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