Need some plumber hot water heater advice

[Frankie the Fink]

Replacing thermostats, heating elemts and sacrificial anode in 80 gallon State Select electric water heater (I've done the T-stats and heating elements before but not the anode). Anybody know where its located ? Apparently there are three kinds, a top mounted rod with a 1-1/16" hex head bolt separate from the hot water pipe, a top mounted inline version in series with the hot water outlet (big problem) and a side mounted one. I can't find a separate rod on top after lifting the plastic covers and looking around and I'm hoping its not an inline version. Could this fixture on the side above the Energy Guide sticker be the anode rod ?

[04 commemorative]

In before someone asks why you are heating hot water

[Big bob]

First of all it is not a hot water heater. Just a water heater. See that rubber plug on top? Take a peek under that might have to pull some insulation out to get to it.

[slewfoot]

is that PVC all over the top of that thing?

[Don Rickles]

The rod should be on the hot water outlet side. It threads into the top of the tank, about a 3' rod. Need head room above the tank to pull it completely out...

Did you just follow my thread?

[Frankie the Fink]

If its an inline rod under that blue recirculating timer pump then its all over that lower nut is corroded badly - this one is 18 years old and I looked at new tanks this size and wife nearly had to call for the crash cart...More inflation to thank for it I guess.

[Big bob]

Even brand new you will need an impact to get it out. Put some wd 40 or something on it. Then just barely turn it with the impact then hand remove and install. I there is anything left of it you don't want it whipping around inside tearing shit up.

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

If its an inline rod under that blue recirculating timer pump then its all over that lower nut is corroded badly - this one is 18 years old and I looked at new tanks this size and wife nearly had to call for the crash cart...More inflation to thank for it I guess.

Yes, that should be it. Not a fun job....I'm going to have to completely remove my tanks, to lay them on their sides to access the rods....

Hmmm, my two old water heaters are still down in the crawl space, can't lift them out, without help....I'll try to remove the rods to see how badly they have disintegrated....


https://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/...d.php?t=131128

[Big bob]

You are looking for a 1-1/16 hex yours will not be in a pipe just a solid hex.



https://www.google.com/search?q=stat...&ie=UTF-8#ip=1



https://www.amazon.com/Aluminum-Eau-...%2C2466&sr=8-3

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Big bob

Even brand new you will need an impact to get it out. Put some wd 40 or something on it. Then just barely turn it with the impact then hand remove and install. I there is anything left of it you don't want it whipping around inside tearing shit up.

Not an expert, but I have done it twice in my life. I did not use impact either time (though I have the tools to do so if I want), I soaked it down with Kroil or PB Blaster or something similar, and waited a few days. I have moved away from WD-40 all together for such applications, it just doesn't seem to penetrate as well as many other choices widely available. I find that "Liquid Wrench" works better than WD-40, but both Kroil and PB Blaster work better than that. A breaker bar and a cheater pipe worked fine for me if you don't have air tools.

Good luck!

[Big bob]

I am sure the cheater pipe would work but I was on my own on this. And many space is a problem. Who did you get to bear hug your tank?

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Big bob

I am sure the cheater pipe would work but I was on my own on this. And many space is a problem. Who did you get to bear hug your tank?

Me. A good grip on the outlet pipe did the trick.

[theandies]

I admire you trying to fix it and I'd probably do the same but after seeing your pictures I Personally wouldn't be messing with that thing. What scares me the most is your PVC piping. Not sure I'd have the outlet of my water heater made from PVC. By the looks of it it's pretty old too by the color. I thank our builder for using copper throughout my house and my water heater is gas!!

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Big bob

First of all it is not a hot water heater. Just a water heater. See that rubber plug on top? Take a peek under that.

When it is empty, that is true. Once it is in use, it is a hot water heater. If the thermostat is set to 150 degrees, but the water is 145 degrees, is that 145 degree water not hot?

[Don Rickles]

Originally Posted by aerovette

When it is empty, that is true. Once it is in use, it is a hot water heater. If the thermostat is set to 150 degrees, but the water is 145 degrees, is that 145 degree water not hot?

=4575 kWh mo.!

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by aerovette

When it is empty, that is true. Once it is in use, it is a hot water heater. If the thermostat is set to 150 degrees, but the water is 145 degrees, is that 145 degree water not hot?

You need to stay away from Doug.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Big bob

You need to stay away from Doug.

Holy shit. Very sorry. I think you're right.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by theandies

I admire you trying to fix it and I'd probably do the same but after seeing your pictures I Personally wouldn't be messing with that thing. What scares me the most is your PVC piping. Not sure I'd have the outlet of my water heater made from PVC. By the looks of it it's pretty old too by the color. I thank our builder for using copper throughout my house and my water heater is gas!!

But you don't use pvc on hot water. You use cpvc and that is what you are seeing there.

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by Big bob

But you don't use pvc on hot water. You use cpvc and that is what you are seeing there.

I'll bet my builder didn't. I don't think they did much of anything right.

[Big bob]

Originally Posted by aerovette

I'll bet my builder didn't. I don't think they did much of anything right.

Better check before the flood. Pvc is white and cpvc is off white.