Water heater

[baldy40]

Sorry if this has been covered already
My water heater can be used with both electricity and propane. When both are on the hot water does not last at all. My old mountain view would last for everyone to shower with both activated. I have checked the bypass valves and they are in the correct position. Any help would be appreciated


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500

[wmtire]

You might want to recheck the bypass valve and make sure they are turned like these in the pic for normal usage.



Just because the valve handles are turned correct, the valve itself can be faulty, and it's not really shutting off.

One other easy to check, but often overlooked way for the hot water and cold water to mix..... is if you have the outside shower taps turned on, but the water turned off at the handheld shower wand.

[baldy40]

I will look at the valves again tomorrow. We don't have the outside shower so that wouldn't be the problem. Thank you for your help


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by baldy40

I will look at the valves again tomorrow. We don't have the outside shower so that wouldn't be the problem. Thank you for your help.

Same applies to the inside shower faucets.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by baldy40

I will look at the valves again tomorrow. We don't have the outside shower so that wouldn't be the problem. Thank you for your help


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500

The main thing to remember, is that the valve handle needs to be set perpendicular to the pipe to be closed.......and parallel to the pipe to be open.

It's easy to accidently set all three parallel (especially since the bypass line is running in a different direction than the inlet and outlet lines).....which actually leaves the hot/water bypass valve open. You definitely want to make sure that one is closed, or cold water is going directly into the hot water line.

[baldy40]

I guess I will go and look now I'm curious if I missed something
Thanks


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500

[baldy40]

here are the valves on my water heater


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by baldy40

Attachment 71676here are the valves on my water heater


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500

That looks correct. We may have a faulty valve or something else causing this.

It sounds like you have previous RV experience, so you are aware you have to take navy style showers...which is where you turn on the water and wet yourself..then turn the water off at the wand while you soap up and shampoo...then turn it back on to rinse off.

It's not like at home where you have a 30 gallon or better water heater and can leave the water running the whole time you are in the shower. Yours is most likely only a 6 gallon type in the RV.

[baldy40]

Yes that is how we shower but the hot only last for one to shower and then wait 30 minutes for the next one to take his. There is only 3 of us must of the time. Guess I will have to have it looked at again thanks for your help


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by wmtire

That looks correct. We may have a faulty valve or something else causing this.

It sounds like you have previous RV experience, so you are aware you have to take navy style showers...which is where you turn on the water and wet yourself..then turn the water off at the wand while you soap up and shampoo...then turn it back on to rinse off.

It's not like at home where you have a 30 gallon or better water heater. Yours is most likely only a 6 gallon type in the RV.

If the inside shower faucets are left on with the shower head off, you will also run out of hot water fast in the kitchen or bathroom lavatory.

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by baldy40

Yes that is how we shower but the hot only last for one to shower and then wait 30 minutes for the next one to take his. There is only 3 of us must of the time. Guess I will have to have it looked at again thanks for your help


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500

That doesn't sound correct and I understand your concern. Has it always been like this since you have had this trailer?

One way you might can test for a faulty bypass valve, is to turn the inlet and outlet valves off/closed to the water heater.....while also leaving the bypass valve in the off/closed position.

Now turn on the hot water taps in your RV. Since the water heater is shut off, along with the bypass valve, you shouldn't have pressure to your hot water side. If you do, then I would suspect the bypass valve is letting water thru it.

Just don't forget to open the inlet and outlet valves after your test.

[baldy40]

We will be heading out next week I will check that when we get set up


2015 Salem 30QBSS

2013 RAM 1500