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Trying to reset my electric water heater but I can't find the red reset button [FOUND!]

1mon 19d ago by lemmy.ml/u/yo_scottie_oh in plumbing

Original post:

So I'm on my way to the store to pick up a voltage tester b/c our showers have been noticeably room temperature today. We own our place so I'm attempting some basic DIY troubleshooting steps before I call a plumber. Found this 4-minute video guide to resetting an electric water heater. At 2:30 into the video, right after the plumber removes the cover plate and insulation, the white plastic cover in the video has two holes, and the top hole supposedly has a big red button to reset it.

I've already flipped off the circuit breaker and removed the metal cover plate. The problem is, on mine the white plastic covering on the thermostat only has one hole, there is no big red reset button on my thermostat. Any tips on where else to look for the big red reset button? If it makes any difference, I am located in the US, and I believe the brand of my water heater is State Select, model number ES652DORT 210.

Side question - should I take steps to protect myself against the outer insulation wrapped around the overall water heater? I kinda just went in there guns blazing and didn't think about gloves, masks, etc.

Photos:

Water heater in the closet w/ outer insulation pulled open around lower cover plate

Close-up of water heater w/ lower cover plate removed

Close-up of water heater w/ lower cover plate and white plastic cover over thermostat removed

Thanks in advance for everyone's help!

EDIT: Today I learned there are two thermostats, and the big red reset button is on the top one! Unfortunately, pressing it did not click like I was hoping. This leads me to believe I have a bad heating element as suggested in the comments. My next step is to get a multimeter so I can check continuity, resistance, and amperage. Thanks to those who have weighed in so far.

Photos of the top thermostat:

Water heater in the closet w/ outer insulation pulled open around upper cover plate

Close-up of water heater w/ upper cover plate removed

So, I'll say 90% chance that one or more of the heating coils are bad. Over time they rust/get sediment deposits .Kill the breaker and drain the hot water heater after turning off the water source. On the side of the water heater there will be one or two like I don't know 3/4 in nuts you should be able to remove and you'll pull out basically these heating element tubes. Odds are one of them is rusted out entirely and broken you can replace it with a new one from a hardware store for like 15 bucks.

Thanks for weighing in. You might be right. The good news is I located the big red reset button (on the top thermostat, I did not realize there were two thermostats :-D), the bad news is pushing it in did not click like I was expecting. I believe this means the reset button was not tripped in the first place. Based on this info is the issue still likely to be one of those heating coils like you suggested? I guess what I'm asking is, if a heating coil dies, does this trip the reset button or is the reset button really just a safety mechanism for overheating?

So if you look up the model number on line you can find the heating element part number that fits it, take that information and look up the specs on the heating elements you should find an ohm rating, WITH THE BREAKER OFF, disconnect one of the wires (black or red doesn't matter which) set your meter to ohms and check across the 2 screws. It should read close to the spec (within 10%) , if it says other or if it says over or flashes 1 (depending on your meter) it needs replaceing. Repeat for the upper element.

I saw your model # in the post and tried to look up the element specs, did not find it but it should be around 9 to 11 ohms ( used the spec of the heater 220v with 4.5kW elements and ohms law)

The insulation is probably fiberglass or rock wool

Found the reset button and confirmed it was not tripped, so for now I've hooked it back up to power so we can get at least room temperature showers until I can narrow down which heating element is faulty. Thanks for weighing in!

Follow-up question: How universally compatible are these thermostats and heating elements? Since I'm having a hard time finding my specific model online, I'm wondering if I can just go to the store and pick up any tune-up kit such as this one from Home Depot.

The wattage and voltage are correct, if the diameter and the element length are the same it would probably work, I would make sure it has the ECO ( big red button) that's a safety feature that keeps it from getting to hot and blowing up.