Filling the hot water heater

petersonmike · 08-30-2010, 12:27 PM

Based on what I've heard/read, I drain most of the water out of my camper (i.e. water tank and hot water heater) if it's going to be more that a few weeks in between trips. When I next fill with water, do I need to have a hot water faucet open for the hot water heater to fill or will it fill properly without a faucet open?

Thanks.

Mike
2008 Flagstaff 8528RKSS

milzat · 08-30-2010, 12:30 PM

Open a fauset to fill the HOT water lines and tank.

**Bama Rambler** · 08-30-2010, 12:31 PM

It will not fill if it doesn't have a way to vent the air out, so as Mike said, open a hot water faucet to vent the air out while you fill the heater.

milzat · 08-30-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bama Rambler

It will not fill if it doesn't have a way to vent the air out, so as Mike said, open a hot water faucet to vent the air out while you fill the heater.

Vent. That's the word I was looking for. Vent.

bmg · 08-30-2010, 01:11 PM

I was told by the dealer, when doing the walk thru, that if we make sure that water is flowing from the release valve on the water heater that it's safe to turn it on. Is that correct?

turbopuppy · 08-30-2010, 01:51 PM

Release valve? He might have meant relief valve. If you deliberately opened the relief valve to vent, and then allowed water to flow out, you are ready to fire up the heater. There will still be air in the hot lines that will vent when you open hot water valves later. If the relief valve is leaking when closed, you may have a bad valve.

Either way, I never thought twice about this issue and never had a problem. I hook up water, go inside and double check all valves are closed, open the city water spigot, go back in and check for leaks as i vent the kitchen sink faucet. Good enough.

**Bama Rambler** · 08-31-2010, 10:51 AM

Technically it a T&P relief valve (Temperature & Pressure). It'll open at either high temp or high pressure. Enough about that though!

Once the water is that high it's safe to fire it off. The burner tube and the electric element are both under water and the t-stats will be sensing correctly.

The_Stuff · 08-31-2010, 12:43 PM

dont forget to check your bypass lines!

bmg · 08-31-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Stuff

dont forget to check your bypass lines!

What exactly are bypass lines? Are you referring to other water lines that don't go to the water heater? How do you check them?

MtnGuy · 08-31-2010, 12:59 PM

You will have a cold water and hot water line connected to the water heater. If there is a pipe connecting these together, that is the bypass line. There will be valves on all 3 lines.

**Bama Rambler** · 08-31-2010, 02:10 PM

If you fire up your heater and the water gets hot, but at the faucets it's not. Your bypass is open.... close it!

BCTraveler · 02-03-2014, 03:00 PM

Question new to the whole water heater thing on this model of Trailer I have the Suburban water heater on a SP260BHS model trailer withe the arctic package.

So here is the issue, I filled my tanks (using the local water with a hose into the city hookup). Installed the anode rod.
Then opened my hotwater taps on all faucets.
Then I turned the system on, nothing happened.
Today I pulled the anode rod out to see what might be happening, no water came out.

So in reading pass threads I see something about a bypass valve where would that be located?
I have looked all over the bottom of the trailer, nothing.

Hope someone can help me out, cold water on the Oregon coast is not fun right now.

Thanks.

Mtelkman · 02-03-2014, 03:06 PM

Usually the bypass is located directly on the rear of the water heater. There is usually a panel to look behind or access is gained through a storage area. Good luck.

fonzie · 02-03-2014, 03:06 PM

Look behind your water heater inside trailer for possibly 3 valves that needs to be put in summer mode...see picture. Middle valve is by-pass needs to be closed. Two other valves needs to be in open position.

BCTraveler · 02-03-2014, 03:49 PM

Looks like it is working, turned the valves just like in your picture and it filled with water.
Now i can feel the temperature changing abit so it looks like we are good.

On the SP260BHS the compartment is located under the closet by the bunk beds.

Great help, thanks.

bmg · 02-03-2014, 06:21 PM

Before turning on the water heater make sure you have water in the tank. You should have a pressure release valve on the outside of the water heater. After turning on the water at the inlet, press the valve release and make sure that water comes out first before powering on the water heater. If you don't, you could burn up the water heater.

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