|
|
09-15-2012, 04:18 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 444
|
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!
__________________
All previous rigs below are sold - waiting until the kids graduate to the buy the next one!
'13 Forest River Sunseeker 3100 Class C
'04 Fleetwood Sedona Pop Up / Reese Mini 350 / Prodigy / BAL
'94 Coleman Cedar Pop Up
|
|
|
09-15-2012, 04:55 PM
|
#2
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
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
|
|
|
09-15-2012, 05:46 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 444
|
How long would I hold up the valve and let water flow out? Thanks!
__________________
All previous rigs below are sold - waiting until the kids graduate to the buy the next one!
'13 Forest River Sunseeker 3100 Class C
'04 Fleetwood Sedona Pop Up / Reese Mini 350 / Prodigy / BAL
'94 Coleman Cedar Pop Up
|
|
|
09-15-2012, 06:06 PM
|
#4
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
|
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.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
|
|
|
09-16-2012, 03:54 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 133
|
For the heater tank, it draws water from the fresh tank or city water hookup?
|
|
|
09-16-2012, 04:43 PM
|
#6
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by tntrac
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.
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
|
|
|
09-16-2012, 06:11 PM
|
#7
|
Trailer Trash
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: MN
Posts: 608
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac
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.
|
|
|
09-16-2012, 07:31 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Kansas City & Sierra Vista
Posts: 247
|
Good advice here! If the PR valve dribbles, you're safe.
__________________
Jim & Kathy
2012 Crusader 290RLT TE, TrailAir flex pin: 2012 Toyota Tundra 5.7 SR5 Dbl cab 4X2 Tow, 4.30 gears, RideRite air, TRD cold-air induction & dual exhaust: Reese 16K Slider: TST tpms
Miles towed to date: 26,890; Nights camped; lost count!
|
|
|
09-16-2012, 09:15 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 444
|
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.
|
|
|
09-16-2012, 11:40 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 133
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mtnguy
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.
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 07:22 AM
|
#11
|
Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac
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 ??
__________________
Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 07:33 AM
|
#12
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
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.
Turbs
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 08:30 AM
|
#13
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac
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!
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 08:33 AM
|
#14
|
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
|
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!
|
X2
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 09:10 AM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 444
|
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.
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 09:21 AM
|
#16
|
Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by f1100turbo
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.
__________________
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 09:46 AM
|
#17
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,525
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac
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.
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 09:50 AM
|
#18
|
Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac
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?
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 10:04 AM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 444
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan
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.
|
|
|
09-17-2012, 10:05 AM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 444
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769
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.
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|