[wendisuepricews]

I changed the bottom element in my electric water tank and I don't have any hot water still? I had to drain the tank but should I have let the tank fill back up with water before I turn the pwer breaker back on? I went back to home depot and bought a tester to test the elements and the thermostats and they are all good? I have 0 hot water still what is wrong now? Before I changed the element I had been able to take a 10 minute hot shower. Now I don't have any hot water? I don't no what the problem is? Could it be because I didn't let the tank fill all the way back up before I turned the power breaker backl on?

[hkstroud]

but should I have let the tank fill back up with water before I turn the pwer breaker back on?

Yes. Not only should you have turned the water on and let the tank fill before turning power on, you should have opened a hot water faucet to let out the air trapped in the tank before turning power on. It is almost a certainty that you burned up the upper element.

The elements work one at a time, first the upper element and then the lower element. When the thermostats call for heat the upper element comes on. When it is satisfied it switches the circuity to the lower element. The lower element can't come on until the upper thermostat is satisfied.

What kind of tester did you purchase and how did you test the elements.

Assuming you purchased a multimeter and assuming you have 4500 watt elements.

Turn power off. Set multimeter to resistance (little horse shoe symbol). Disconnect wiring from upper element. Touch meter leads to element terminals. If element is good, the meter should show approximately 12.8 ohms of resistance. If meter shows an infinite amount of resistance, that means that element is burned into and there is no connection.

After replacing the upper element, open the cold water inlet valve. Open the hot side of a faucet somewhere until you have a solid stream of water. Then turn power on.

Think about it this way,

Elements don't cost that much,
You don't have to drain the tank completely, only to below the upper element,
You get to practice your plumbing skills,
Think how much money you saved by not calling a plumber.
All in all its a good day, except you are up at 3 AM worrying about this.

[Milo Dolezal]

In addition to the excellent advice you got from Harold, make sure circuit breaker is in ON position, or pushed IN. Usually, there is one built-in at the lower element ( red button ) and also, there is one in your main electrical panel. Water should take about 30 minutes to warm up.

Hope that helps

Milo