Can I install 4500 wt elements in a marathon MR50238? The tank specs are the same as MR 50245.

http://www.rheem.com/product/residential-electric-water-heaters-marathon


Rheem Marathon Series


https://parts.rheem.com/OA_HTML/ibeCZzpHome.jsp?minisite=10165&respid=52926&grp=IBE_M_OTHER

Marathon tank comes with lifetime warranty for original owner residential installation:
Copy following links:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Emergency-steps-for-leaking-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Leaking-water-heater.html
http://waterheatertimer.org/Review-Rheem-Marathon-water-heater.html

Gene
h

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

You have marathon water heater?
Thermostat is probably bad. Has gone out of calibration.
Replace both upper and lower thermostats for $25 from local hardware store, takes about 20 minutes, turn off power, take photo of wires before starting. These thermostats can be adjusted all the way down to 90 degrees, and then dial up a bit to reach 110.
Copy following link for instructions how to replace thermostat yourself.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-thermostat-on-electric-water-heater.html

If problem continues, then replace both elements.
Elements are special order made specifically for marathon.
Requires 1-7/8" socket to remove elements.
Upper 3800 watt, order part SP610130
Lower 3800 watt, order part SP210197
http://hometips.me/Mar/Rheem-Marathon-parts-2.pdf
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-replace-water-heater-element.html

More information about Marathon:
http://waterheatertimer.org/Review-Rheem-Marathon-water-heater.html

Gene
h

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Replace heating elements can be found at amazon, click here and take a look: Amazon com rheem heating element . I hope this was helpful... cheers

Turn power off. Open covers and inspect for burned parts.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-problems-with-water-heater.html#trip-breaker

Test elements. Marathon takes specific element, and does not use generic element from hardware store.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-test-water-heater-element.html

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/gene_9f0ef4df2f9897e7

Question posted under marathon electric water heater.
Marathon is 240Volt dual element non-simultaneous water heater.
Non-simultaneous means that upper part of tank has to reach temperature before power is sent to lower thermostat and element. So if upper element is bad, then water heater has no hot water.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Replace-anode-rod.html#audibleBW

1) You need to by-pass upper element without by-passing upper thermostat.
2) You should never by-pass upper thermostat because it has ECO-reset protection.
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-water-heater-thermostats-work.html

3) Open following link for image of wiring:
http://waterheatertimer.org/images/Marathon-wiring-700.jpg
4) Take photo of your wiring in case color code is different on your specific model

5) Look at upper thermostat.
Remove yellow wire from terminal 2 on upper thermostat, and cap off temporarily.
Remove red wire from terminal 4 on upper thermostat, and move it to terminal 2 on upper thermostat.
6) For more effective operation, look at lower thermostat.
Remove black wire from lower thermostat terminal 1 and move wire to terminal 2 on lower thermostat.

Take a moment and rate answer:
And take advantage of fixya expert assistance live.
For a price, expert works with you while you work on water heater or any do-it-yourself project.
Fixya is always less expensive than a service call.

Marathon elements are specific to that water heater and can be ordered online, but generally are not at the local hardware.
Good to keep a couple spares around.
Marathon is 240Volt water heater.
Thermostats turn off one leg of the 240Volt circuit, so elements and themostats will always test for 120volts.
You removed wires off elements and tested each for continuity and tests showed elements to be good.
Test top two screws of upper thermostat and make sure you are getting 240V to the water heater.

If water heater has some hot water, then that says water heater is getting 240V, upper element is good, and remaining suspects are bad thermostats, bad lower element, or sediment build-up, or combination.

Open following link for troubleshoot run-down:
http://waterheatertimer.org/How-to-troubleshoot-electric-water-heater.html

Water well.
If you have sediment build-up that reaches lower element, then water does not circulate around the element and water heater no longer heats very fast or accurately. If sediment is the problem, sooner or later the lower element will burn out.
Doesn't hurt to flush out the tank now and then, and vacuum out the sediment if that is problem.
http://waterheatertimer.org/Clean-sediment-out-of-water-heater.html

Turn off the electricity.
Turn off the water valve going into tank.
Open a bathtub spout to let hot water pressure off the tank.
Check top of tank for any leaks.
Open the top access panel and see if element is leaking.
Open bottom access panel and see if lower element is leaking.
The reduced pressure on the tank will slow the leak.

If element is the problem, you can squeak by for a while by turning on the hot water heater only when you need hot water.
Order the 'Marathon MR85245 replacement element' online
http://www.gpconservation.com/rheem/marathon-sp213670-titanium-4500w-lower-element
These elements may be available locally, but they are not the same as 'ordinary' tank-type electric heater elements that you buy at the hardware store.
Buy more than 1 element because the Marathon elements have problems.
One of the reported problems with marathon elements is the high price of stainless steel replacement elements.
Drain tank.
Replace element.

Another resource for water heater information is:
http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/

http://www.thetankatwaterheaterrescue.com/forums/forum3/

There are reports that elements on the Marathon cause problems.
This comes from the guys who repair water heaters.
But I think the problems are mostly that the elements burn out frequently and are expensive to replace.
There may be other brand-specific problems I'm not aware of

Another thing you can do is put an expansion tank on the incoming cold water line.
Expansion tank is used when water heater temperatures are set high
The expansion tank absorbs pressure during high-heat events so pipes and tanks and pressure valves last longer.

check the water control valve to see if it is fully opened