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Old 11-27-2014, 09:05 PM   #1
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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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Old 11-27-2014, 09:39 PM   #2
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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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Old 11-27-2014, 09:40 PM   #3
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Suburban has an on demand water heater?
I've not seen such a thing.

Model number?

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Old 11-27-2014, 09:45 PM   #4
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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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Old 11-27-2014, 09:47 PM   #5
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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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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.

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Old 11-27-2014, 09:49 PM   #6
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No electric/ propane only, I'll check for a model number in a sec


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Old 11-27-2014, 09:51 PM   #7
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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.
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No electric/ propane only, I'll check for a model number in a sec


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Old 11-27-2014, 10:02 PM   #8
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That is correct


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Old 11-27-2014, 10:06 PM   #9
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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.



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Old 11-27-2014, 10:14 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 11-27-2014, 10:16 PM   #11
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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 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.
I always forget about bypass valves

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Old 11-27-2014, 10:24 PM   #12
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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.
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Old 11-27-2014, 10:39 PM   #13
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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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Old 11-27-2014, 11:04 PM   #14
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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.
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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Old 11-28-2014, 08:56 AM   #15
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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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Old 11-28-2014, 09:06 AM   #16
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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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Old 12-05-2014, 03:28 PM   #17
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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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Old 12-05-2014, 03:48 PM   #18
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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.

I am just happy it was not titled "HOT water heater falling short"
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Old 12-05-2014, 04:34 PM   #19
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Replace the hi limit with a 140° one and you will definitely use less hot water.
OC, would you have a link showing how to do this?
What is the stock limit temp?
Thanks
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Old 12-05-2014, 11:13 PM   #20
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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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