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    asphaltbob's Avatar
    asphaltbob Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Oct 16, 2012, 08:17 AM
    Adjusting temperature on a dual hot water heater system
    The hot water temp in the master shower/bath is too cold. The rest of the house seems fine. This is a one year old house and we have a dual hot water heater system.

    I looked over the plumbing at the water heaters, and am not familiar with how it is plumbed. The hot water piping coming out of one heater is hot and the other is cold/cool. The two tanks are plumbed together with a tee. I assume that this second tank may be plumbed into the master shower/tub and if so can I adjust the temp by simply turning up the water heater set point on the cooler water heater?

    Any input/ideas would be appreciated.

    Bob in Montana
    406-261-3741
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #2

    Oct 16, 2012, 09:07 AM
    The hot water piping coming out of one heater is hot and the other is cold/cool.
    More details please. Gas or electric? Temp settings on both? Are these tanks hooked up allel in series or parallel? ( Series are when the hot water from heater two connects into the cold water inlet on number two. Parallel is when cold connects to cold and hot connects to hot) The heater that gets the cold water first is heater #1 is that the one that gives hot water? Back to you, Tom
    asphaltbob's Avatar
    asphaltbob Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Oct 16, 2012, 09:29 AM
    Thanks Tom.

    They are electric. I believe they are in series - I think the hot water from one tank does feed the cold side of the other. I do know that the hot water piping on one tank is hot and the other is not. Can this be as simple as just adjusting the set point on one of the heaters? The master bath does have a large shower with multiple shower heads. Would one heater be dedicated just to this one room?

    I am not at home now, but I can get back to you this afternoon with the exact details of how it is plumbed.

    I appreciate the help.

    Bob
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #4

    Oct 16, 2012, 09:44 AM
    So I can keep things straight let's call the heater that has hot water "heater #1 and the other #2. Look at the temperature setting on 1 and 2 and let me know what they read, Also check the elements on #2 to be sure they're getting power. And if you have power to the elements you might have burned out elements. I'll wait for your reply. Tom
    asphaltbob's Avatar
    asphaltbob Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Oct 16, 2012, 02:47 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by speedball1 View Post
    So I can keep things straight let's call the heater that has hot water "heater #1 and the other #2. Look at the temperature setting on 1 and 2 and let me know power. And if you have power to the elements you might have burned out elements. I'll wait for your reply. Tom
    Tank #2 isn't even wired in? The cold water feeds into the unwired tank, feeds to the hot tank, through the "hot" line. There is a tee above the hot side of the unwired tank with a ball valve on it. The temp on the working tank is at about 140.

    Am I missing something or should they both be wired in?
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
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    #6

    Oct 16, 2012, 03:12 PM
    I think I get what you are saying, but can you post some pics to clarify? I would say both tanks should be wired, otherwise the tank that isn't wired is doing you no good. If you get both tanks up and running, you should be able to set the temps at 120-125. No more for fear of scalding.
    speedball1's Avatar
    speedball1 Posts: 29,301, Reputation: 1939
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    #7

    Oct 16, 2012, 03:35 PM
    I agree with Lee. Reset the temp back to 120 on both and wire in tank #2. Get back to us with the results. Want to post a picture? Here you go!

    A. "Attach" files (including pictures) from your computer. This method puts the attached file below the text of the post.
    Click on an Ask or Answer button to ask or answer a question
    Compose your question or answer in the window.
    Under the window where you composed your question or answer is a section called Additional Options.
    Click on the Manage Attachments button: a pop-up dialog will open. NOTE: The Manage Attachments dialog lists the maximum sizes of the various types of files that may be attached.
    Click the Browse button to navigate to the image on your computer and double click the file on your computer: this will return you to the dialog window.
    Click the Upload button.
    Click the link to close the dialog window OR repeat numbers 5 & 6 to attach another image.
    B. "Embed" image(s) from the internet. This method inserts an image wherever you wish within the text of your post.
    Click the Insert Image icon above the posting window: A pop-up asking for the URL will open.
    Enter the URL of the image in the field then click the OK button.

    Good luck, Tom
    asphaltbob's Avatar
    asphaltbob Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Oct 16, 2012, 03:50 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77 View Post
    I think I get what you are saying, but can you post some pics to clarify? I would say both tanks should be wired, otherwise the tank that isnt wired is doing you no good. If you get both tanks up and running, you should be able to set the temps at 120-125. No more for fear of scalding.
    How can I post a picture for you gentlemen to look at?
    mygirlsdad77's Avatar
    mygirlsdad77 Posts: 5,713, Reputation: 339
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    #9

    Oct 16, 2012, 04:59 PM
    asphaltbob, check out post #7
    asphaltbob's Avatar
    asphaltbob Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
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    #10

    Oct 19, 2012, 11:36 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by asphaltbob View Post
    How can I post a picture for you gentlemen to look at?
    Here is a couple of pictures of the system. As you can see the far tank is not wired in.

    Notice the ball valve going into the wall from the unwired tank?

    Please let me know what you guys think.

    Thanks.

    Bob
    Attached Images
      

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