240v water heater element

N

Nelson W

Member
Aug 13, 2014
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If I recall correctly it was recommended to replace the original 120v element with a 240v element. This water heater has the 4 bolt mount element which is dead, but otherwise the tank is good. I found one with the correct bolt pattern but it’s 240v. Is this going to work with 120v?

Nelson Wright
78 Royale rear bath
73 GMC Restoration
Belle Isle Fl

Sent from my iPad
 
Hi Nelson,

A standard 4500 watt 240 volt element will give you 1125 watts on 120 volts.

Marsh (rarely post) Wilkes
Perry Fl

-----Original Message-----
From: Nelson Wright via Gmclist
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 9:21 PM
To: gmclist
Cc: Nelson Wright
Subject: [GMCnet] 240v water heater element

If I recall correctly it was recommended to replace the original 120v
element with a 240v element. This water heater has the 4 bolt mount element
which is dead, but otherwise the tank is good. I found one with the correct
bolt pattern but it’s 240v. Is this going to work with 120v?

Nelson Wright
78 Royale rear bath
73 GMC Restoration
Belle Isle Fl

Sent from my iPad
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Thanks Marsh,
So it will heat the water albeit somewhat slower. Is 1125 watts reasonable for heating 6 gallons?

Sent from my iPad

>
> Hi Nelson,
>
> A standard 4500 watt 240 volt element will give you 1125 watts on 120 volts.
>
>
> Marsh (rarely post) Wilkes
> Perry Fl
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Nelson Wright via Gmclist
> Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 9:21 PM
> To: gmclist
> Cc: Nelson Wright
> Subject: [GMCnet] 240v water heater element
>
> If I recall correctly it was recommended to replace the original 120v element with a 240v element. This water heater has the 4 bolt mount element which is dead, but otherwise the tank is good. I found one with the correct bolt pattern but it’s 240v. Is this going to work with 120v?
>
> Nelson Wright
> 78 Royale rear bath
> 73 GMC Restoration
> Belle Isle Fl
>
> Sent from my iPad
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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That is what I use. It heats the water just fine and draws less current so you won’t trip a breaker if the water heater is on and the air conditioner or microwave kicks on.
It also won’t burn out as easily as a 120 volt element.

Emery Stora

>
> Thanks Marsh,
> So it will heat the water albeit somewhat slower. Is 1125 watts reasonable for heating 6 gallons?
>
> Sent from my iPad
>

>>
>> Hi Nelson,
>>
>> A standard 4500 watt 240 volt element will give you 1125 watts on 120 volts.
>>
>>
>> Marsh (rarely post) Wilkes
>> Perry Fl
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Nelson Wright via Gmclist
>> Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 9:21 PM
>> To: gmclist
>> Cc: Nelson Wright
>> Subject: [GMCnet] 240v water heater element
>>
>> If I recall correctly it was recommended to replace the original 120v element with a 240v element. This water heater has the 4 bolt mount element which is dead, but otherwise the tank is good. I found one with the correct bolt pattern but it’s 240v. Is this going to work with 120v?
>>
>> Nelson Wright
>> 78 Royale rear bath
>> 73 GMC Restoration
>> Belle Isle Fl
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Nelson,
I believe the original 120V element (which I still have) is 1,000 watts.

HTH,
Rick Staples

--
Rick Staples, '75 Eleganza, Johnstown, CO

"Advice is a dangerous gift, even from the Wise to the Wise, and all paths may run ill." -Tolkien
 
What Emery said... anmd it should last longer. I got mine off a house trailer supply house, forget the price but close to ten bucks. Works fine.

--johnny
--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
 
Thanks all for the feedback,
Lowe’s has them for 11 bucks.

Sent from my iPad

>
> What Emery said... anmd it should last longer. I got mine off a house trailer supply house, forget the price but close to ten bucks. Works fine.
>
> --johnny
> --
> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
> Braselton, Ga.
> I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Nelson
When I replaced mine I bought the adapter that attaches to the 4 bolt plate and which allows you to use a screw in element which is easier to find and easier to install.

Emery Stora

>
> Thanks all for the feedback,
> Lowe’s has them for 11 bucks.
>
> Sent from my iPad
>

>>
>> What Emery said... anmd it should last longer. I got mine off a house trailer supply house, forget the price but close to ten bucks. Works fine.
>>
>> --johnny
>> --
>> Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
>> Braselton, Ga.
>> I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Hi Nelson,

Not counting any other losses, just the energy to heat the water, the
time would be calculated as follows.
6 gallons at 8.34 lb/gal = 50 lb of water.
1 BTU = the heat required to raise 1 lb of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
1 Kilowatt hour of power = 3412 BTU X 1.125 = 3839 BTU available per hour
with
an 1125 watt heating element.
3839 BTU divided by 60 minutes = 64 BTU available per minute divided by 50
lb of water
equals a temperature rise of 1.28 degrees Fahrenheit per minute.
Therefore heating the tank of water from 70 deg. to 130 deg. or a 60 degree
rise would take
about 47 minutes (60 divided by 1.28). Of course with such a small tank, to
get a longer shower
time starting with a higher storage temperature is necessary, so you can mix
more cold water to
extend the shower time.

Marsh Wilkes
Perry Fl

-----Original Message-----
From: Nelson Wright via Gmclist
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 10:14 PM
To: gmclist
Cc: Nelson Wright
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 240v water heater element

Thanks Marsh,
So it will heat the water albeit somewhat slower. Is 1125 watts reasonable
for heating 6 gallons?

Sent from my iPad

> On Apr 30, 2020, at 9:40 PM, Marsh Wilkes via Gmclist

>
> Hi Nelson,
>
> A standard 4500 watt 240 volt element will give you 1125 watts on 120
> volts.
>
>
> Marsh (rarely post) Wilkes
> Perry Fl
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Nelson Wright via Gmclist
> Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 9:21 PM
> To: gmclist
> Cc: Nelson Wright
> Subject: [GMCnet] 240v water heater element
>
> If I recall correctly it was recommended to replace the original 120v
> element with a 240v element. This water heater has the 4 bolt mount
> element which is dead, but otherwise the tank is good. I found one with
> the correct bolt pattern but it’s 240v. Is this going to work with 120v?
>
> Nelson Wright
> 78 Royale rear bath
> 73 GMC Restoration
> Belle Isle Fl
>
> Sent from my iPad
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

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Gee, thanks for that explanation😊
Really more than I needed to know😊
Reminds me of the old saying” Ask an engineer what time it is and he will teach you how to build a watch“
Sent from my iPhone
Nelson Wright

Orlando Fl.

>
> Hi Nelson,
>
> Not counting any other losses, just the energy to heat the water, the
> time would be calculated as follows.
> 6 gallons at 8.34 lb/gal = 50 lb of water.
> 1 BTU = the heat required to raise 1 lb of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.
> 1 Kilowatt hour of power = 3412 BTU X 1.125 = 3839 BTU available per hour with
> an 1125 watt heating element.
> 3839 BTU divided by 60 minutes = 64 BTU available per minute divided by 50 lb of water
> equals a temperature rise of 1.28 degrees Fahrenheit per minute.
> Therefore heating the tank of water from 70 deg. to 130 deg. or a 60 degree rise would take
> about 47 minutes (60 divided by 1.28). Of course with such a small tank, to get a longer shower
> time starting with a higher storage temperature is necessary, so you can mix more cold water to
> extend the shower time.
>
> Marsh Wilkes
> Perry Fl
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Nelson Wright via Gmclist
> Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 10:14 PM
> To: gmclist
> Cc: Nelson Wright
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 240v water heater element
>
> Thanks Marsh,
> So it will heat the water albeit somewhat slower. Is 1125 watts reasonable for heating 6 gallons?
>
> Sent from my iPad
>

>>
>> Hi Nelson,
>>
>> A standard 4500 watt 240 volt element will give you 1125 watts on 120 volts.
>>
>>
>> Marsh (rarely post) Wilkes
>> Perry Fl
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: Nelson Wright via Gmclist
>> Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2020 9:21 PM
>> To: gmclist
>> Cc: Nelson Wright
>> Subject: [GMCnet] 240v water heater element
>>
>> If I recall correctly it was recommended to replace the original 120v element with a 240v element. This water heater has the 4 bolt mount element which is dead, but otherwise the tank is good. I found one with the correct bolt pattern but it’s 240v. Is this going to work with 120v?
>>
>> Nelson Wright
>> 78 Royale rear bath
>> 73 GMC Restoration
>> Belle Isle Fl
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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> _______________________________________________
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I installed the 4kw 240V element when I purchased the Murray 12 years ago (existing element was bad). I also added the wind-up timer in place of the
water heater switch. So we need to turn ON the time each time we want hot water... which is usually when we first get up in the morning and before
dinner time.

From experience, considering water is at 70F and I want to tank a shower in the morning... In about 15 minutes the water is plenty warm for a shower.
Mind you I'll be adding very little cold to the mix. Both of use have no trouble having a shower in the morning.

So I'm going from 70F to say 90F so 20F / by Marsh Wilkes number of 1.28 = 15 minutes.

Even at home we have both water heaters set at minimum which gives about 110-115F water temps.

Just my experience

--
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
 
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