Solved- water heater trouble

Flagstaff1 · 03-13-2013, 11:40 AM

I have a sw6de. I use both the electric and propane. I only have about minute of hot water each time we use it. Any ideas?

cfsoistman · 03-13-2013, 11:44 AM

Have you closed the by-pass after dewinterizing?

RodeoGeorge · 03-13-2013, 11:46 AM

Check the Water Heater Bypass valves, located on the rear (as viewed from the outside).

If they are in the BYPASS settings, you will not be drawing water through the Water Heater.

Also, if they are in the BYPASS setting, and there is no water in the Tank, you risk burning out the AC Heating Element.

RodeoGeorge

Broadway Joe · 03-13-2013, 11:46 AM

Check your hot water heater bypass valve. Should have three valves, top and bottom (inlet and outlet) should be open or parallel to water lines. Center valve should be closed or perpendicular to water line.

**KyDan** · 03-13-2013, 11:55 AM

Just in case no one has mentioned it-
Check your bypass valve(s)!!

Depending on your particular set up you can have 1, 2 or 3 valves.
All MUST be in the correct "summer" position.
If one or more are in the winterize/bypass position you will get a tiny
bit of warmish water then cold.

Your exact question comes up here fairly often and it's nearly always
bypass valves set incorrectly.

It could be faulty heat element/bad thermostat but that's much less
likely.

If you are un-sure of your valves correct position, take a picture of
the back of your WH showing the valves and post here.
We can probably tell you if they look right for hot water mode.

TURBS · 03-13-2013, 12:13 PM

since I believe my fellow members have knocked this one out, I only have one other suggestion assuming the hw heater valves do need turned is make sure you bleed all the air out of the hw tank as it fills via the pressure relief valve or a hw facet turned on before turning heater back on .

Flagstaff1 · 03-13-2013, 08:10 PM

Thanks to all for your help, but the bypass valves are in correct position. Still having trouble. I have noticed the hot water heater does not come on during the day like it used too. I could hear it come on during the night, but it does not do that anymore.

OldCoot · 03-13-2013, 08:24 PM

Why does everyone refer to them as "Hot water heater". Why would you want to heat "Hot water"? I think the boxes they come in are labeled "Water Heater".

TURBS · 03-13-2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flagstaff1

Thanks to all for your help, but the bypass valves are in correct position. Still having trouble. I have noticed the hot water heater does not come on during the day like it used too. I could hear it come on during the night, but it does not do that anymore.

Is this gas that's not working or electric?

**Terier** · 03-14-2013, 01:15 AM

Any luck with figuring out the problem? Looks like the guys are directing you in the right direction.

BTW I moved this thread to here in the Plumbing and Water System & Fixtures sub forum where it should be a better fit for your topic.

.

**KyDan** · 03-14-2013, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flagstaff1

Thanks to all for your help, but the bypass valves are in correct position. Still having trouble. I have noticed the hot water heater does not come on during the day like it used too. I could hear it come on during the night, but it does not do that anymore.

OK sorry- I just re-read post 1.
This is a dual heat water heater but I still wonder if
both modes have been tried?
Now we need MORE information!
If it is both Gas and Electric- have you tried to heat water in both
modes??
Do you know where the "hidden" electric switch is located?
Do you know there is also a black circuit breaker located in your power
center?
When you open a hot water faucet does the burner light??

Who winterized your unit last Fall? (thinking a dealer might have shut off
the "hidden" switch.)

youroo · 03-14-2013, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldCoot

Why does everyone refer to them as "Hot water heater". Why would you want to heat "Hot water"? I think the boxes they come in are labeled "Water Heater".

Rodeo George & KY Dan did not. You & all the rest did.

I will say Water Heater.

Youroo!!

Oakman · 03-14-2013, 07:03 AM

It sounds like you have cold water mixing in with the hot. If the bypass valves are in the correct position then I would check to make sure the faucets handles on the outside shower and turned to the off position.

Just my 2 cents.

Flagstaff1 · 03-14-2013, 09:27 AM

I have determined the electric does not work at all. The breaker is not thrown. Might be a bad breaker?????

As for gas, if you turn a faucet on, yes the burner will light. It will run for a good 15-20 minutes.

As for "winterizing", didn't do that because we use it in the winter also, and the part of Texas I'm in, it doesn't get below freezing very often.

BarryD0706 · 03-14-2013, 10:17 AM

It's more likely to be a bad electric heating element. They are relatively inexpensive to replace. If you have a meter or 120v test light, check to see if there is voltage present at the element terminals. If there is, replace the element (and be careful never to have it in on unless the tank is full of water).

youroo · 03-14-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flagstaff1

I have determined the electric does not work at all. The breaker is not thrown. Might be a bad breaker?????

As for gas, if you turn a faucet on, yes the burner will light. It will run for a good 15-20 minutes.

As for "winterizing", didn't do that because we use it in the winter also, and the part of Texas I'm in, it doesn't get below freezing very often.

Did you flip the small (Hidden Black Switch)? It is on the face of the (Water Heater).

Youroo!!

**KyDan** · 03-14-2013, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flagstaff1

I have determined the electric does not work at all. The breaker is not thrown. Might be a bad breaker?????

As for gas, if you turn a faucet on, yes the burner will light. It will run for a good 15-20 minutes.

As for "winterizing", didn't do that because we use it in the winter also, and the part of Texas I'm in, it doesn't get below freezing very often.

We have no way of knowing your level of electrical experience so I can only
caution to be VERY careful from here on.

You list 2 problems in your first post--
You say you get only a minute of warm water each time you use it?
But you say the gas will run for 15 minutes.
This should be long enough to heat your little 6 gallon tank.
If you mean you only get straight hot water for a minute, that is about
normal. It doesn't take long to run out 6 gallons of water.

As far as the electrical side goes-- most water heaters are plugged into
an outlet found on the back side of the tank. Open a hatch or remove
a panel somewhere inside so you can access the rear of your WH.
Look for an outlet with a cord plugged into it.
Check the outlet for 120v power.
Plug in a lamp or use a test meter but check that outlet for power and
report back.

I guess you used to get more hot water than now or are you a new
owner of this trailer??

Trying to trouble shoot this from 1000 miles away is difficult be we'll
get there eventually!

Flagstaff1 · 03-14-2013, 11:48 PM

Yes, the hot water used to last longer. I checked the plug--it's good. I've had the trailer for over a year and this just started last month. I can remember hearing the water heater come on in the middle of the night. It does not do that anymore. It only comes on after running hot water for a bit.

BarryD0706 · 03-15-2013, 08:19 AM

Sounds like bypass valve problems to me. Its not coming on because you're not really drawing water out of it.

TURBS · 03-15-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarryD0706

Sounds like bypass valve problems to me. Its not coming on because you're not really drawing water out of it.

I'm with barry.

If no hot water in either gas or electric then there's a by pass problem.

Last year we had a member whom swore his valves were correct and they were we/he found a broken valve that appeared to be open but when in fact the valve was broken internally and still shut when the valve showed open.

Turbs

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