Aquastat reset on hotwater heater

I have a State hotwater heater (oil fired with a Beckett head). The reset on the White Rogers aquastat has to be reset every few days(mostly when my wife goes to take a shower and there's no hot water)Any ideas on what could be causing this? Please Help!!!!
Thanx Jimmy

 

Is this the reset on the oil burner or on the water tank temp control? ED

 

This is the reset on the temp control. Thank you
Jimmy

 

With not seeing it are know for sure what temp it kicked out at I think I would get a new one and put it on. If its the immersion kind can have a build up of lime and calcium on it. On the surface kind they dont work to good to over the years. ED

 

it seems to be an immerssion type as it screws into the side of the tank. Can these be cleaned or should it be replaced?
Thanks again Jimmy

 

Like I said dont know how old or what here. I think I would get a new one and put it in. Get all the ### off of it and get a new one. Turn off power. turn off water drain tank down to where you can take it out and put the new one in. I dont know if you have a dry well for it or not some do. ED

 

One possibility is that the burner is overfired. Meaning that the nozzle is too large for the capacity of the tank. Another possibility is that you are running the normal operating temp higher than is normal making the final water temp just high enough to trip the manual reset aquastat. Is the operating aquastat and the manual reset high limit in the same control or are they in different locations on the tank?

 

They are the same control. Water temp set at 160 , is this to high? The temp control is a White-Rodgers dual direct immersion with manual reset. On the inside of the temp control box the left dial is missing (I don't even know if one is suppose to be there) the right one has temp marks from 120 - 180. This water heater was in the house when I brought it. Any ideas? Don't want to replace it $$$ if I dont have to.
Thank you in advance Jmmy

 

A normal setting for that control would be 130. You may be pushing the limit of the manual reset part. I think it trips at 180. Isn't your hot water scalding hot?

 

Yeah , she likes it that way (we all know sooner or later they always get what they want) But this time I"ll drop it to 130. Thing that gets me it's been like this for a few years and just started acting up. Always change filters, screen,and nozzle with the same type every time. If it does need replacing is it pretty straight foward? Available at local plumbing supply house?
Thanks AGAIN Jimmy

 

Dropped temp to 130 ran water till heater kicked on. After it shut off checked temp of water from tap measures 180!!! Guess I need new Aquastat? Any idea on the cost? I'll put it in myself.
Thanks AGAIN AND AGAIN Jimmy

 

One thing to keep in mind is that the hotter water will gravitate to the top of the tank. So a setting of 110 may give you 130 at the faucet. Even if the aquastat is out of calibration, you might be able to get it set where you want it and let it alone. If you have to replace it, try to get the same brand or at least take the old one along so you will be sure not to have to change the immersion well in the tank. That would be one more thing you can avoid doing if you get an exact replacement control. There are only 2 terminals on the control and either wire can go on either terminal so it won't be hard at all to replace. Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

are you saying that it doesnt have to be unscrewed from the tank. just bring the temp control? that I just take out the screws and leave the probe in the tank? can it be that simple?

 

Yes it is that simple. There is a clamping arrangement that holds the control to the well and a bulb that slips inside the well. When you get the replacement, make sure that the bulb is all the way inserted into the well.

 

Once Again I thank you I'll Get the parts first thing in the AM, and let ya know how I make out.
Jimmy

 

Price of an Aquastat for a 10+ year old hot water heater $194
Price of a new Bock hot water heater model #32E with assorted fittings from a friend $834
Price to install it myself $0.00
Wife and daughter able to take a hot shower: PRICELESS
Thank You for all your help, JIMMY

 

If you really did get the Bock 32E you will love it.

 

yeah, took me from 10 am till 3 pm. of coarse nothing lined up.
old burner had 5" flue this one has a 6". But things went better than I thought they would considering how the day started. $194 for an aquastat. Didnt want to throw good money into a heater that might only last who knows how long. Well now its a done deal. Thanks again these forums are great!
JImmy

 

Does the beckett head come adjusted from the factory? Looked in the chamber flame yellow/white no real smoke to speak of. What is the best way to adjust burners without all those fancy instruments? Been keeping my old Koler furnace running for years. Seems to run allright but was just wondering.
THANX JIMMY

 

Fire clean BUT just now and then a wisk just a wisk of smoke. Most people set it to burn to clean and white. ED

 

The only adjustment you should have to make is the air shutter. Loosen the screw at the top of the shutter which is on the left end of the burner housing just above the fuel pump. Look at an area just above the flame and don't let your eyes be blinded by the bright center of the flame. Look for small wisps of flame reaching a out of the main flame as you turn the air shutter counter-clockwise. A small adjustment will make a large change on your water heater. As you rotate the shutter you will see the wisps get longer. At that point, reverse the direction you are moving the shutter until you just see the wisps disappear. Don't go beyond that point or you will be adding too much air. It would be a good idea to note the number that the tab on the shutter is pointing to before and after you change the setting. I'm sure you will have it adjusted within a percent or two of the correct CO2. Be aware that the flame will be slightly soft at the tips and not look like a jet engine. That is fine and the stray tips get burned up as they contact the combustion chamber. Good Luck and congrats on the installation.