Long story made short – I got a call today from a friend looking for a part for a Rheem model# 21VR75 water heater.
The red control knob – the one that goes on the thermostat control valve and has the different settings – is missing.
I did a quick search online and can’t find anything except the entire control valve.
Does anyone know if the knob is a replaceable item?
I haven’t seen it yet so I can’t describe the connection but I assume that it slips on like a stove knob.
Is there a “industry standard” knob or are they made to fit each brand?
Any ideas where to find this knob?
It is for a non profit summer camp so if they can avoid the $100 for the new valve it would be a good thing.
Thanks.
Replies
many different brands of water heaters use the same valve, if memory serves, you might just try local plumbers/dump to see if you can have the knob from the old water heaters valve.
It should work fine without the knob, its just a close guess anyway as it points to a particular temperature setting. turn shaft to right (clockwise) to make it warmer, left for cooler.
An old pair of small vise grips????<G>
That would be fine in a residential setting, like my basement.
This is a summer camp and we get inspected by multiple agencies and you would be surprised at what the ding us for, and what they let go. There is no way to tell what they will notice at any given inspection.
With my luck they would red tag the water heater and shut us down for a "violation".
I have plenty of time - camp just closed and won't have kids til next may.
I will keep my eyes open for junk water heaters and do a little "recycling" of the good parts.
Thanks.
CC:
So didn't you pull that knob off for safety? - So that no one would turn up the setpoint?
Jim x 3
Edited 9/9/2009 11:06 am ET by jimjimjim