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Old 09-15-2012, 04:18 PM   #1
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Water heater use

We have a new RV with a DSI gas / electric water heater. To ensure there is water in the tank prior to starting the water heater, is it enough to just run a hot tap (with water pump on) until water flows fairly easily without a lot of sputtering? Or should I do something with pressure relief valve also? Thanks!
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Old 09-15-2012, 04:55 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac
We have a new RV with a DSI gas / electric water heater. To ensure there is water in the tank prior to starting the water heater, is it enough to just run a hot tap (with water pump on) until water flows fairly easily without a lot of sputtering? Or should I do something with pressure relief valve also? Thanks!
Do through pressure relief valve while filing tank
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Old 09-15-2012, 05:46 PM   #3
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How long would I hold up the valve and let water flow out? Thanks!
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Old 09-15-2012, 06:06 PM   #4
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To add a little to Turbo's post. It is always a good idea to get a little water out of the pressure relief valve when filling your tank. A little air up near the top isn't bad, but it is possible to have water at the faucets and still not have water in the water heater. That could happen if you still have the bypass valves set for winterization. Getting some water out of the pressure relief valve is a way to make certain the tank is full.

Just a little dab will do ya.
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Old 09-16-2012, 03:54 PM   #5
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For the heater tank, it draws water from the fresh tank or city water hookup?
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Old 09-16-2012, 04:43 PM   #6
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For the heater tank, it draws water from the fresh tank or city water hookup?
Which ever water supply you are using. The city water supply typically connects with the camper water pipes near the onboard water pump outlet.
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Old 09-16-2012, 06:11 PM   #7
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How long would I hold up the valve and let water flow out? Thanks!
Just move the lever for the pressure relief valve a little. Water should dribble out right away when the hot water tank is full.

Don't flip the lever trying to fully open the valve. This is a pressure relieve valve not an on off valve. If you keep playing with this valve, the seal will probably go bad and end up with a leak/drip and then it's time for replacement.
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Old 09-16-2012, 07:31 PM   #8
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Good advice here! If the PR valve dribbles, you're safe.
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Old 09-16-2012, 09:15 PM   #9
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Thanks for the advice. In playing with the pressure relief valve this weekend, I noticed the following:

- When I had the water pump on, hot water tap off, & lifted the valve, no water came out from the valve

- When I had the water pump off, hot water tap on, & lifted the valve, water came out from the valve

Not sure if that's normal or correct but that's what it was doing.
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Old 09-16-2012, 11:40 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by mtnguy View Post
Which ever water supply you are using. The city water supply typically connects with the camper water pipes near the onboard water pump outlet.

Thank you.
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Old 09-17-2012, 07:22 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac View Post
Thanks for the advice. In playing with the pressure relief valve this weekend, I noticed the following:

- When I had the water pump on, hot water tap off, & lifted the valve, no water came out from the valve

- When I had the water pump off, hot water tap on, & lifted the valve, water came out from the valve

Not sure if that's normal or correct but that's what it was doing.
Hmmm....that just don't seem to make sense.

Can you post a picture of your bypass valve system ??
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Old 09-17-2012, 07:33 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joelek

Just move the lever for the pressure relief valve a little. Water should dribble out right away when the hot water tank is full.

Don't flip the lever trying to fully open the valve. This is a pressure relieve valve not an on off valve. If you keep playing with this valve, the seal will probably go bad and end up with a leak/drip and then it's time for replacement.
Have to disagree a little bit.
I've fully opened my relief valve to fill for 10 years without problem.
I fully open it whilst filling until water runs out . Then I shut.


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Old 09-17-2012, 08:30 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac View Post
Thanks for the advice. In playing with the pressure relief valve this weekend, I noticed the following:

- When I had the water pump on, hot water tap off, & lifted the valve, no water came out from the valve

- When I had the water pump off, hot water tap on, & lifted the valve, water came out from the valve

Not sure if that's normal or correct but that's what it was doing.
IF you mean that water dribbled out when you lifted the valve I'm gonna
guess that
A your hot water tank is full
B one or more of your hot water bypass/winterize valves are in the wrong position for normal use.

A foto of your bypass valves would really be helpful here!
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Old 09-17-2012, 08:33 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan

IF you mean that water dribbled out when you lifted the valve I'm gonna
guess that
A your hot water tank is full
B one or more of your hot water bypass/winterize valves are in the wrong position for normal use.

A foto of your bypass valves would really be helpful here!
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Old 09-17-2012, 09:10 AM   #15
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I will try to take a picture tonight & post it.

Here is how the hot water bypass valves are set:
- The valve on the top pipe (red) is parallel (or open) to the pipe
- The valve on the middle pipe (red on top, blue on bottom) is perpendicular (or closed) to the pipe
- The valve on the bottom pipe (blue) is parallel (or open) to the pipe

Water did come out from the pressure relief when I lifted the valve. But it only came out when the water pump was off & the hot tap was on. No water comes out from the pressure relief valve when the water pump is on & the hot tap is off.

Note that I am getting hot water from the heater when it's run on electric or propane so everything appears to be OK.
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Old 09-17-2012, 09:21 AM   #16
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Originally Posted by f1100turbo View Post
Have to disagree a little bit.
I've fully opened my relief valve to fill for 10 years without problem.
I fully open it whilst filling until water runs out . Then I shut.


Turbs
X2 Turbs, when you fully open it, it will clean the seat which tends to get small pcs of mineral deposits on it and causes the valve to weep.
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Old 09-17-2012, 09:46 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac View Post
I will try to take a picture tonight & post it.

Here is how the hot water bypass valves are set:
- The valve on the top pipe (red) is parallel (or open) to the pipe
- The valve on the middle pipe (red on top, blue on bottom) is perpendicular (or closed) to the pipe
- The valve on the bottom pipe (blue) is parallel (or open) to the pipe

Water did come out from the pressure relief when I lifted the valve. But it only came out when the water pump was off & the hot tap was on. No water comes out from the pressure relief valve when the water pump is on & the hot tap is off.

Note that I am getting hot water from the heater when it's run on electric or propane so everything appears to be OK.
Sounds like your pressure relief valve is clogged which is pretty rare.
IF you get hot water out a faucet but not out the safety valve it must
be clogged somehow.
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Old 09-17-2012, 09:50 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac View Post
Water did come out from the pressure relief when I lifted the valve. But it only came out when the water pump was off & the hot tap was on. No water comes out from the pressure relief valve when the water pump is on & the hot tap is off.

Note that I am getting hot water from the heater when it's run on electric or propane so everything appears to be OK.
Your valves are set correctly for use.
The rest is VERY strange and seems backwards to what you would expect.
Is city water hooked up when you are doing the tests you show above?
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Old 09-17-2012, 10:04 AM   #19
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Sounds like your pressure relief valve is clogged which is pretty rare.
IF you get hot water out a faucet but not out the safety valve it must
be clogged somehow.
Water does come out of the pressure relief valve though. But it only comes out when the water pump is off & the hot tap is on. If it was clogged, it seems that it wouldn't come out anytime.
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Old 09-17-2012, 10:05 AM   #20
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Your valves are set correctly for use.
The rest is VERY strange and seems backwards to what you would expect.
Is city water hooked up when you are doing the tests you show above?
Using the freshwater tank rather than being hooked up to city water when doing the tests above.
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