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11-27-2014, 09:05 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 159
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Water heater falling short
Alright we have had our camper since May with multiple trips under our belt but I'm still learning.
Since going out we have had no issues with our suburban on demand water heater. The last two trips the hot water seems to fall short, it won't last an entire shower as it has before. My anode rod is showing the center core but thought that only has to do with the longevity of the unit.
What could be causing this lack of hot water. It lights up no problem and seems to run, but even leaving it on the entire day it still runs out before a single shower is over
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11-27-2014, 09:39 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 498
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I hate hater water. Try loving water instead. Open your pressure relief valve and let any captured air out.
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11-27-2014, 09:40 PM
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#3
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Suburban has an on demand water heater?
I've not seen such a thing.
Model number?
TURBS.
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11-27-2014, 09:45 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 159
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Sorry fat fingers and cold
Beverages makes it hard to focus..............
I may be misspoken on being on demand.
I open the pressure valve each time we hook up to ensure there's no air, and run each faucet to clear out any air in the lines.
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11-27-2014, 09:47 PM
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#5
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thekipkers
Sorry fat fingers and cold
Beverages makes it hard to focus..............
I may be misspoken on being on demand.
I open the pressure valve each time we hook up to ensure there's no air, and run each faucet to clear out any air in the lines.
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If it's the electric / propane model you can turn on both heating sources for quicker recovery.
Model number would help us identify what you have.
TURBS.
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11-27-2014, 09:49 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 159
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No electric/ propane only, I'll check for a model number in a sec
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11-27-2014, 09:51 PM
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#7
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thekipkers
No electric/ propane only, I'll check for a model number in a sec
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I believe sw6d is what you should have then.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thekipkers
No electric/ propane only, I'll check for a model number in a sec
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TURBS.
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11-27-2014, 10:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 159
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That is correct
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11-27-2014, 10:06 PM
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#9
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Yeah 6 gallons on propane only will be tough to keep good hot water when taking showers.
Unfortunately a sw6de would have been a better option.
Practicing HW conservation takes some time to get used to, especially with propane only fired water heater.
Unless the at temp switch is cutting out early there isn't much else to go wrong.
TURBS.
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11-27-2014, 10:14 PM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,739
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Have you done anything with the bypass valve(s) behind the water heater, that is allowing cold water to mix in with the hot water line (this is very common). This will make the hot water seem to run out quicker.
Also, another culprit that can allow cold water to mix in with the hot water line, is when you leave the outdoor shower taps on, but cut it off at the shower wand head instead.......and forget about it. I would check this too, along with the bypass valve being completely shut behind the water heater.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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11-27-2014, 10:16 PM
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#11
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmtire
Have you done anything with the bypass valve(s) behind the water heater, that is allowing cold water to mix in with the hot water line (this is very common). This will make the hot water seem to run out quicker.
Also, another culprit that can allow cold water to mix in with the hot water line, is when you leave the outdoor shower taps on, but cut it off the the shower wand head instead.......and forget about it. I would check this too, along with the bypass valve being completely shut behind the water heater.
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I always forget about bypass valves
TURBS.
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11-27-2014, 10:24 PM
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#12
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,739
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I'm also going to change your thread title from "Hater Water falling short" to "Water heater falling short" as I believe you originally intended it to be.
__________________
2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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11-27-2014, 10:39 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thekipkers
Alright we have had our camper since May with multiple trips under our belt but I'm still learning.
Since going out we have had no issues with our suburban on demand water heater. The last two trips the hot water seems to fall short, it won't last an entire shower as it has before. My anode rod is showing the center core but thought that only has to do with the longevity of the unit.
What could be causing this lack of hot water. It lights up no problem and seems to run, but even leaving it on the entire day it still runs out before a single shower is over
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Could be the thermostat is opening too early shutting off the gas flow. If the tank does not reach temp, you must use more hot water at the tap to get the desired warm water. The thermostat is not expensive and can be ordered for about 5 different ranges via phone with Suburban. Its located under a black vinyl cover in the outside W/H access. Easy to prove, use digital thermometer and measure the flow in a sink, should be around 125F with warm only open.
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11-27-2014, 11:04 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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Quote:
Have you done anything with the bypass valve(s) behind the water heater, that is allowing cold water to mix in with the hot water line (this is very common). This will make the hot water seem to run out quicker.
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I would expect that if the bypass valve is not fully closed (i.e., leaking by), it would allow the hot water to last LONGER, just not as hot. You would be pulling less water from the water heater since you'd be pulling some cold water from the bypass valve.
If the bypass valve is full open, then you'll only get hot water for a few seconds. I've had this problem when my bypass valve didn't close, even though the handle moved. If he's getting enough hot water to actually start his shower, then I don't think the bypass valve is full open; it may just be leaking by a little.
So all that being said, I'm thinking he's not getting the hot water hot enough for some reason.
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11-28-2014, 08:56 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,183
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Not sure where you are camping but this time of year the in-coming water is somewhat colder than in the summer and early fall, could have something to do with your problem.
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Joe & Beverly
2014 Ram 2500 CTD, CC, SB
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11-28-2014, 09:06 AM
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#16
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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Replace the hi limit with a 140° one and you will definitely use less hot water. I replaced both of ours and we never run out of hot water.
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12-05-2014, 03:28 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 231
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First, never open the pressure release valve to remove any air. Safe operation requires the small pocket that will remain after the tank is full of water. Modern code requirements for homes include an air bladder to be installed just above the water heater, and the air pocket in RV WHs has the same function (expansion).
Operating with a 6 gallon tank, you will never get an uninterrupted shower like at home. I've had 3 campers with that size tank and you must take Navy showers or you'll run out like you describe. If you aren't taking Navy showers, that is your problem.
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2010 Chevy Suburban
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12-05-2014, 03:48 PM
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#18
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Infractee
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 796
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wmtire
I'm also going to change your thread title from "Hater Water falling short" to "Water heater falling short" as I believe you originally intended it to be.
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I am just happy it was not titled "HOT water heater falling short"
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12-05-2014, 04:34 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: SW Missouri
Posts: 357
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OldCoot
Replace the hi limit with a 140° one and you will definitely use less hot water.
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OC, would you have a link showing how to do this?
What is the stock limit temp?
Thanks
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2017 Open Range - Light 297RLS, BX1 Gooseneck
2014 Ram 2500 4x4 CCSB 6.7L 68RFE
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12-05-2014, 11:13 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 159
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I understand the navy shower and have utilized it in the past when multiple people need to shower, but in the past I have had no issues running hot for my entire shower, leaving the water running the entire time. The past 3 trips we have been running out of hot water a lot faster, hardly even getting through a navy shower with hot water
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