water heater water sensor

[Jay Darst]

THE HOMEMADE SENSOR COMPLETES THE GROUND FOR THE RELAY. THE RELAY
ENERGIZES AND THE WATER HEATER NOW HAS 120V.

I made 3 of them. I used a brass fitting, I think its called a
bushing. It has 1/2"NPT on the outside and 3/8"NPT threads on the
inside. I used a stainless steel machine screw, couldn't find a brass
machine screw.

Run a washer and a nut down nearlY to the head of the machine screw,
leaving room to easily attach an electrical connector. Then using a
leather punch, put a hole in a piece of cardboard just a little
smaller than the machine screw. The cardboard should be larger than
the overall fitting. Now set the machine screw, washer, nut and
cardboard on something that will keep the naked end of the machine
screw facing toward the sky.

Now set the brass fitting over the machine screw so that it does not
touch the screw. The brass fitting is now sitting on the cardboard,
strattling the machine screw. Drip epoxy in the brass fitting til its
nearly full.

Let it set for 2 hours- don't mess with it.

AFTER 2 hours, remove the cardboard. It'll be stuck to the epoxy so
just scrape it off.

I tested the finished product in a bowl of water with ohm
meter/continuity tester, werks grate!

Thanks again RALPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its Sunday night and I'm dam near done with the water heater
replacement. Need a couple brass fittings to finish up the cold water
line to heater.

Replacing the water heater is a PIA.

I'm glad its dam near behind me now ;~}

If anyone needs a sensor, I have 2 more left over.

Did I say THANKS RALPH?!!

Jay Darst
85PT40
Springfield/Sullivan, IL

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jay Darst"
wrote:
>
> In case anyone wants to know...
>
> Ralph Fullenwider had the find/fix for this...
>
> "Making one is faster for me, Ace hardware and get a pvc plug, I
> can't
> remember the size off hand Jay, but any grey 2 part epoxy will do
and
> a brass machine screw with 2 nuts with washers between them.
>
> The screw goes through the plug in a hole you drill, I taped mine
to
> get a tighter fit and have more adjustment on the length and of
> course epoxy seal.
>
> Then end of the screw goes out to just even or slightly past the
> concave of the inside of the edge of the plug.
>
> This is a BB part, no one else uses this type of sensor. but hell,
it
> is nothing to make one, put a screw in it, drip epoxy on both sides
> and let the new home made sensor sit for 24 hours then install it.
>
> JB Weld is a good choice."
> >
> > While replumbing the new water heater, found a sensor that is
> 1/2"NPT
> > that has a single, very small wire that runs over to a relay which
> > powers the 120V to the water heater.
> >
> > Appears to be a safety device so that the heating element is not
> ruined
> > when there is no water present.
> >
> > The sensor I removed is severly corroded.
> >
> > Can anyone point me in the direction of a replacement?
> >
> > Thanks
> > Jay Darst
> > 85PT40
> > Springfield/Sullivan, IL
> > Shopping hard for my next Prevost to turn...and keeping my old
Bird
> > which I love dearly.
> >
>