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Old 02-24-2012, 06:02 PM   #1
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Water heater not getting hot enough

We have a 2003 Georgetown with a 6 gallon suburban water heater.
The problem is it doesn't get hot enough, even turned all the way hot my wife can wash her face with it. I try to take a very short shower (turning it off and only spraying me when necessary) and quite often run out of hot water. It does seem to get a bit hotter on gas than electric.

Does anyone out there had a similar experience of idea of what can be done about this
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Old 02-24-2012, 06:11 PM   #2
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sounds like you have a bypass turned on due to the fact you say it happens on gas or electric and not sure where your bypass would be
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Old 02-24-2012, 06:49 PM   #3
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sherdep's post sounds to be the answer. What model number do you have? Hopefully someone with the same model can give you the exact location of the by-pass valve. In my case the by-pass valve is behind a 4" screw in access cap. It's in my propane compartment on the left. I have to reach in to near the back of the water heater to turn the valve.
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Old 02-24-2012, 06:54 PM   #4
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Normally its directly behind the hw heater.
Sounds like the issue to me to
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Old 02-25-2012, 07:16 PM   #5
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bypass valve?

Are you talking about the water bypass ??
If not I don't know what a bypass valve is or where it is located.
The model of our suburban water heater is SW6 DE

Please more help required
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Old 02-25-2012, 07:24 PM   #6
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you should have a water heater bypass. should be right next to the WH.

it's so that when you winterize, you don't get a bunch of antifreeze in the water heater.
you don't want antifreeze in your FW tank nor your WH.
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Old 02-25-2012, 07:28 PM   #7
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You'll have a line that ties the hot water line from your hot water tank to the cold water line running into the tank. On this line there should be a valve. It needs to be in the off position. That would be cross ways with the line. It sounds like the valve is open allowing the cold water to mix with the hot.
All this should be located at the back of your hot water tank. I am not familiar with your coach so I can't help you with it's location.

Hope this helps.

I just wanted to add, there will be valves on the hot & cold water lines. These seem to be in the correct position since you're getting water throughout the coach. The only valve you should turn at this point is on a line that connects the hot and cold lines.
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Old 04-01-2012, 10:01 AM   #8
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will my water heater not work in my freedom express 310bdhs if im not level
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Old 04-01-2012, 10:04 AM   #9
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Yep, bypass valve open.

It should be closed (90 degrees to pipe) when in use.
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Old 04-01-2012, 10:06 AM   #10
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Your hot water heater should work, even off level. The RV Fridge may not work if the unit is way out of level.

Do you have an issue with the water heater?
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Old 04-01-2012, 10:09 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryquill View Post
will my water heater not work in my freedom express 310bdhs if im not level
What?
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Old 04-01-2012, 10:14 AM   #12
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I had the same problem this year, forgot to close the bypass valve. Only lukewarm if the valve is open.
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Old 04-01-2012, 11:56 AM   #13
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We just had two units on the Cherry Blossom Festival trip with the same "warm but not hot" water issue. The solution in both cases was to close the bypass valve.

Herk, great job. 1 picture = 1000 words.
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Old 04-01-2012, 04:35 PM   #14
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why is my water heater humming on electric side only
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Old 04-01-2012, 05:12 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryquill View Post
why is my water heater humming on electric side only
Its happy?

Sorry, don't know the answer.
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Old 04-01-2012, 05:48 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769 View Post
What?
double WHAT?
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Old 04-01-2012, 05:51 PM   #17
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Could it be that the electric element is giving up the ghost...is there water in the tank.
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Old 04-03-2012, 09:22 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryquill View Post
will my water heater not work in my freedom express 310bdhs if im not level
I re-read your post again and I realized that this is a question; not a statement.

The water heater will work in electric and gas modes fine unless the camper is on its roof. In that case, it will only work in electric.
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Old 04-07-2012, 01:04 PM   #19
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I just had the same issue I was dewinterizing my Solera for the first time getting ready for a 2 week trip and missed one valve. On the Solera you have to stick your head well under the bed to see that third valve. Too many months since I winterized so I had forgotten. Now I have scalding hot water. Thanks to this forum I found the solution.
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Old 04-09-2012, 12:54 PM   #20
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Quote:
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Its happy?

Sorry, don't know the answer.
LOL. You guys are killing me today!!!
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