JohnProof

JohnProof t1_jcuvt4f wrote

That's where the 2 thermostats and dip tube come into play:

If the dip tube is working, it's putting the cold water into the bottom of the tank which helps stratify hot water at the top where it gets drawn off. And the lower thermostat will kick on to heat that cold makeup water to help maintain the tank temperature.

Once too much hot water is used and the lower element can't keep up, then it shuts off and the upper element kicks on to re-heat water near the draw-off as quickly as possible.

3

JohnProof t1_jcun08k wrote

>It lasts maybe 2 or 3 showers then runs out.

That honestly sounds about right. A lot of shower heads are about 2 GPM, so if you have a 40 gallon heater that's only gonna be 20 minutes to completely empty the tank.

But it's worth doing routine maintenance to see if there's anything that needs fixing: Flush the tank, visually inspect the elements, test them for continuity, pull the anode and while it's out check the dip-tube, and test that the lower thermostat is working. All of those could contribute to colder showers.

12