Inconsistant hot water amount

[Mars]

First time this happened: Plenty of hot water for a couple of showers. Two showers had only 2-3 minutes of hot water. I let the WH run until it shut downs between showers. Any thoughts?

[Flybob]

Check outside shower to make sure it is off. Also check WH bypass valve to make sure it it correct position. The water pressure can also impact how long the HW lasts. Higher pressure means higher water flow and shorter hot water shower.

[A32Deuce]

If its propane and electric, use both at the same time. Recovery is much faster.

[Mars]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Check outside shower to make sure it is off. Also check WH bypass valve to make sure it it correct position. The water pressure can also impact how long the HW lasts. Higher pressure means higher water flow and shorter hot water shower.

I have a pressure regulator in place. By-pass valves have never been touched but I will check them. Thanks.

[5picker]

Water heater make/model?
Tank or tankless?

[HangDiver]

Outside shower knobs have to be turned off, not just the button on the shower head.

[cavie]

My money is on the outside shower valve.

[johnlochbuie]

Had same problem on my flipper wife shower was just warm my shower would be hot turns out one valve on water heater was turned wrong way

[Iwritecode]

Take a look at this thread, it may solve your problem.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...st-103381.html

[Mars]

Thanks for the input. No outside shower. Standard six gallon suburban WH.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Check outside shower to make sure it is off. Also check WH bypass valve to make sure it it correct position. The water pressure can also impact how long the HW lasts. Higher pressure means higher water flow and shorter hot water shower.

Ditto. The man as usual gets it right and in so few words.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by Mars

I have a pressure regulator in place. By-pass valves have never been touched but I will check them. Thanks.

If all else is in order, maybe you just need a low flow shower head. We run the basic Oxygenic high energy, low flow shower head. Then we run the faucets at only about a quarter open. We both shower for several minutes and never run out of hot water.

And the whole family has to realize that even on full hookups, if someone takes a long leasurely hot show the next person will have to wait a few minutes to shower. A 6 gal tank is a sixth or an eighth of what we have at home and probably has a much slower recovery rate.

[jimla]

Have to brag on FR Rockwood 8332BS. They got the design right. The water heater is installed in the cabinet to the bathroom. We run on gas and electric. We have had 4 adults take a shower and leave water running and didn't run out of hot water. With other TT we had, we had to do the run water, shut off shower head, soap, rinse. So glad we don't have to with this TT.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Mars

First time this happened: Plenty of hot water for a couple of showers. Two showers had only 2-3 minutes of hot water. I let the WH run until it shut downs between showers. Any thoughts?

Just so I'm understanding...

You have taken 4 showers before and all had hot water for the duration of the showers?
And... you are letting the water heater come up to temperature (I assume on gas because you said 'shut down' and I'm not sure how you would EASILY know on electric) before beginning the next shower?

If that is all correct and since you said you have no outside shower and you've never touched the water heater bypass valves... these are the only other explanations I could suggest...

1. The thermostat has malfunctioned so that the temperature of the water simply isn't as hot as before.

2. The incoming water temperature is much colder than previously, thus mixing with the hot water but cooling the water quicker and not lasting as long.

3. You have been running the water heater on both propane and electric (for faster recovery or unknowingly) and now there is something wrong with the electric side of the system. (element burned out, switch went bad, no electric to water heater/breaker tripped-off)

4. More water pressure than before and thus simply using more water.

One final question... you mentioned two showers only had 2-3 minutes of hot water.... what were the durations of the the other two showers prior?

[Mars]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Just so I'm understanding...

You have taken 4 showers before and all had hot water for the duration of the showers? Two showers before about 5-10 min, two shows after ran out of hot water quickly.
And... you are letting the water heater come up to temperature (I assume on gas because you said 'shut down' and I'm not sure how you would EASILY know on electric) before beginning the next shower?
Yes gas only.

If that is all correct and since you said you have no outside shower and you've never touched the water heater bypass valves... these are the only other explanations I could suggest...

1. The thermostat has malfunctioned so that the temperature of the water simply isn't as hot as before. I think this might be it, shower next day was fine. The rest below does not apply.

2. The incoming water temperature is much colder than previously, thus mixing with the hot water but cooling the water quicker and not lasting as long.

3. You have been running the water heater on both propane and electric (for faster recovery or unknowingly) and now there is something wrong with the electric side of the system. (element burned out, switch went bad, no electric to water heater/breaker tripped-off)

4. More water pressure than before and thus simply using more water.

One final question... you mentioned two showers only had 2-3 minutes of hot water.... what were the durations of the the other two showers prior?

See above, thanks for the help.