Reliant 501 electric hot water heater

We have an electric Reliant 501 hot water heater, a little while ago we where not getting any hot water for a long time, so we moved it off of hot and it up to hotter-levelD , which is 4 notches up. This worked out fine, and we got real good hot water , or so we thought. Once we started taking a shower, we noticed the hot water only was lightly warm after 5 mins. But, comming out of the shower, and putting your clothes on , for say.. 5 mins, you turn the water on again on full hot, and nearly burn yourself. I'm guessing the bottom element has gone out ? We tried turning the bottom thermostat up to to hotter-d also. Which is just one down from Very hot (it's max level). So my question is, how do I test that it's not the bottom thermostat , without any meters? And if the element has gone out, how do I get to it, and replace it? Re: So my question is, how do I test that it's not the bottom thermostat , without any meters? Well, to work on something you do need the proper tools. You might be able to do some troubleshooting with a neon test light. But, inexpensive digital meters can be had without breaking the bank. Get a meter they dont cost that much. A test light is just good for 110V you have to ring out 220V there on the water heater. Dont have to be digital sure getting a meter is a good idea. But still, how do I test things with it? What wires do I touch it to? What do I do? How do I access the heating element? etc? I'm no hot water heater tech. My Reliant 501 got boiling hot, burning me when I took a shower abeout 3 years ago. I replaced the thermostat. The problem was fixed! Top and bottom thermostats should be set to the same temp. The bottom element is the primary heating unit and the top element goes on th give you that last drop of HW. If the bottom thermo or element is out, only the top unit will provide HW and that is not very much. Get a meter, run the HW until no HW and check voltage at top and bottom elements. You can check from one lead on the element to the tank or a ground. This will not be the 220 volt but will let you know if there is power. If your meter has continuity (resistance) ability, be sure power is off!! disconnect one lead of an element and measure for continuity across the two terminals of the element. If continuity is lacking that element is NG. Good Luck

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