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Figure volts amps watts for water heater | 9 Ways to save with a water heater | Do-it-yourself |
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How
to install under counter
water heater Under-counter/
point-of-use water heaters shown here are electric
What size do you need? If you need to run out 1 gallon before getting hot water, then use 3 gallon under-counter |
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1)
Start with product
manual: Each water heater comes with product manual that contains very useful information. Read manual. Save manual. Write down date of purchase. Record warranty. Follow advisories and tips. Failure to follow instruction manual can void product warranty. Maintain water heater as shown in manual. Use troubleshoot section and parts list to help with repairs later. Example manuals: Reliance point of use manual Bosch Ariston manual American 2.5 gal Hubble 2.5 gallon manual Bradford White 6-10-12-15 gallon + tabletop manual Troubleshoot and service giuide Point of use service manual How to troubleshoot electric water heater How to maintain water heaters |
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What
size? 1:3 rule of thumb: If 1 gallon runs out before hot water arrives, then 3 gallon water heater is correct size. Before choosing: Look at Hot-cold Options shown below. |
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2)
Pay
attention to Hot and Cold inlets. If inlets are reversed, tank will not perform as expected. Source of water must connect to Cold inlet on water heater |
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Connection
options: Source of water must connect to Cold inlet on water heater Option 1: Connect hot water source to cold inlet on water heater tank. See image This draws hot water from main water heater so once under counter tank gets cool, more hot water arrives and temperature stays about same. Advantage option 1: Hot water is plemtiful, but all costs are energy. Problem with option 1: Costs more. Each time hot is drawn from faucet, even small amount, cold water immediately enters main water heater. This causes both the main water heater and under counter water heater to operate more. Option 2: Connect cold water source to the cold inlet on water heater tank. See image Problem with option 2: Hot water supply is limited to amount in under counter tank Advantage with option 2: Costs less. Each time hot is drawn from faucet, cold water does not enter main water heater. |
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Basic diagrams Shut off recommended between water source and water heater. Use gate valve or ball valve |
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 Pot heaters at Amazon |
Other
options besides point-of-use water heater? Yes: a) Use pot heater b) DIY solar: Set 2 gallons water outside in sun each day c) Immersion heater or bucket heater can heat water inside bucket d) Mount electric water heater element into side of 5 gallon bucket, use silicone caulk to seal. Element will heat using 120V or 240V. Wattage of element printed on end of each element. Do not use steel bucket. Absolute risk of electric shock if element cracks.  Avoid electrocution: Unplug power to element,
immersion heater, bucket heater before reaching in to test water
temperature with finger. |
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3)
Do not drop water heater or damage can occur to tank and
parts. Check elements-and-wiring and water heater should work Do not call the manufacturer and report problem, or warranty could be compromised. E-mail question: info@waterheatertimer.org My response might end up in spam folder, so check e-mail folders Post question on pro water heater forum How to troubleshoot electric water heater |
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4)
Secure water heater with straps in earthquake prone areas Electric water heaters can be set on wood surface or carper without specific danger Cover all electrical outlets and connections, and keep cover(s) on side of tank to protect from electrical short causing fire. Overflow tube and water leaks can cause water damage Read earthquake pdf See earthquake strap illustration See seimic map |
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 Use di-electric nipples Read about low hot water pressure |
5)
Use di-electric nipples if connections are 3/4" Avoid electrolitic deterioration of pipes and water heater by using di-electric nipples when connecting water heaters. Available in water heater department. Use teflon tape on threads. Some under-counter heaters come with pre-installed nipples and connections. Use connections that are supplied. Pre-installed heat-trap nipples clog easily if house has pressure problems, or hard water. Consider replacing heat-trap nipples if pre-installed. 9-ways to save with water heater |
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Solder
copper pipes if connections are 1/2" Most under-counter 6 gallon and 12 gallon water heaters have 1/2" connections. Best practice is to avoid soldering directly to water heater. First, solder piece of pipe to male or female adapter, and then attach adapter to water heater. This will avoid direct torch heat on water heater. How to solder copper pipes |
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 Drip pan saves damage See drip pan installation |
6)
Drip pan saves damage |
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 Tank must be full of water |
8)
Tank
MUST be full of water before turning power ON. Element will instantly burn out if tank is not full of water. Fill tank completely until faucet is running full stream THEN open TP valve momentarily to release last of air from top of tank. Once tank is full of water, power can be turned ON. |
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9)
Insulate tank and pipes. Do NOT block TP valve lever Electric water heater can be totally covered with insulation except TP valve |
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 Larger image |
Completed
installation and parts drawing Showing optional ports available on various models Showing drain pan and TP overflow tube Larger image |
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Electricity
to Under
counter water heater |
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How
to wire under counter water heater to 15 or 20 amp line that goes to
dishwasher. Objective 1: Either the dishwasher has power or the under-counter water heater has power. But neither at same time. Objective 2: inexpensive 21 amp 120Volt 3-watt FM1 timer, that doesn't require much space and is simple to wire, simple to program and handles job with no chance for error.  |
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 I used 14 gauge wire since circuit breaker was rated 15 amp. |
Example
wiring: 1) Buy plastic box with 3/4 Knockout. 2) Use 3/4" male adapter so all 3 wires enter box from same knock-out. 3) Attach timer with self-tapping screws. 4) Remove timer from box to connect terminal ends to timer 5) In this illustration, I trimmed the ground wires shorter and re-applied wire nut so all wires could fit into box before putting cover over box. 6) Attach box next to water heater. Make box accessible so times can be changed. Timer must be re-set to current time after power outage. FM-1 sell sheet with model numbers More information below: |
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 LOOK for numbering on back of timer module. Terminals #1 and 2 are for clock motor FM-1 Timer FM1 timer Manual FM series manual with wiring and model nums Newest FM1 sell sheet with revised model numbers |
What
are NO NC connections? They are like a 2-pole light
switch. When one is OFF, the other is ON. And they are never ON at same
time. With NO NC connections, either the dishwasher has power or the under-counter water heater has power. But neither at same time. Choose convenient times to run either appliance. For example after lunch you want to operate dishwasher, but no longer need water heater. And then water heater can remain OFF until shortly before before next meal. This is possible using FM1 timer. |
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Set pins on 24-hour dial. Move pins in or out to set on-off times.
15 minute
intervals. How to set timers 2) NO NC terminals mean water heater and dishwasher can never be ON at same time. 3) 21 Amp capacity meets project specifications. 21 x 80% = 16.8 amps. Handles typical 12 amp water heater and 11 amp dishwasher. 4) Mount timer inside square plastic box available from home center. Deeper box is better. Put cover over top when finished. 
Project material cost: $45  |
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| Alternate timer choice: T1905 timer | |||||||||
 Large image of 120Volt T1975 |
T1975 timer with NO and NC terminals 20 amp rating Each tripper: 15 minute intervals. 4 consecutive trippers = 1 hour. If you want dishwasher circuit available from 7 to 10 PM, install twelve consecutive trippers starting at 7pm and ending at 10pm. Remaining hours of the day, the water heater is ON. Read T1975 manual At Grainger Alternate timer choice with same wiring T1905 at Grainger  |
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Wiring diagram
for T1975 Water heater is ON at all times except when timer turns ON. Water heater connected to Normally Closed terminal. Dish washer connected to Normally Open terminal When timer activates, water heater turns OFF, and circuit to dish washer is ON. |
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| Alternate timer choice: GE 15207 From Home Depot | |||||||||
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 Wiring diagram for GE 15207 timer How to wire GE 15207 timer to control 240Volt load GE timers and manuals |
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