Size of wrench needed for 5500W ULWD

I dont have one in front of me and I want to stop at the hardware store on the way home from work.

Does anyone know what size the hex is on the end of the element? I want to pick up a socket for it to make life easier in my potted installation.

Thanks!

I find myself thinking it's 1.5", but I would love some verification. Can't find a technical drawing for it online ... the interwebs have failed me!!!

I'm trying to envision how you would use a socket on an element. I've always just used channellocks.

MrShake said:

I'm trying to envision how you would use a socket on an element. I've always just used channellocks.

Click to expand...

on the end of it, before the electric connections are made.

It is 1.5". I used a water heater element wrench from lowes.

Ajgeo said:

It is 1.5". I used a water heater element wrench from lowes.

Click to expand...

NICE!!! Thanks man!

I'll take a picture when I get home of WHY I need a socket for this, so people understand what the hell I am doing, haha.

Ok so this is why I wanted a socket:

The 1" nut is welded to the side of my kettle. The heating elemnt slides through the hole in teh electrical box and the washer and the oring go over it to seal against the nut.


Like this:



Then the Heating element threads into the nut, holding the eletrical box tight up against the kettle:


No as you can imagine, getting a 1.5" wrench into the box to tighten it to the welded 1" nut is rather difficult. This is where the socket works perfectly.

Stout on nitro and wrench with 1.5" big ass socket. $18 at Ace + $10 for a 1/2" to 3/4" adapter, cuz 1.5" sockets only come with 3/4" attachments (or at least that's all Ace had)

Channel locks is what I used.

They sell heating element wrenches in the heating element section at HD. They are only a few bucks and they fit perfectly and can be turned with your hand pretty easily.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

What hatfieldenator said.... I think I picked mine up for 5 or 6 bucks & it works fine.