Water heater -- noisey

sailingsuppo46 · 10-25-2010, 08:30 AM

ALL,

Quick question. I have a noisey water heater? I noticed thus weekend that mine sounds like one of those older perkalator type coffee pots when it is on electric. It's vented properly. Anyone with the same problem?

**Herk7769** · 10-25-2010, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailingsuppo46

ALL,

Quick question. I have a noisy water heater? I noticed thus weekend that mine sounds like one of those older percolator type coffee pots when it is on electric. It's vented properly. Anyone with the same problem?

I guess I have to ask... We ARE talking about the water heater in your camper right?

Sounds like there could be air in your lines. Try bleeding the hot water by opening the faucets from close to far away.

sailingsuppo46 · 10-25-2010, 09:09 AM

I sorry, yes the HWH in the camper. I vented inside and outside facets as well as at the HWH and this started after several showers. No leaks either. Baffled. But, plenty of hot water. I will pull the anode and do a good cleaning and refill and vent again before our next outing. Thanks,

**Bama Rambler** · 10-25-2010, 09:16 AM

Since you're going to pull the anode out I'd go ahead and pull the electric element and inspect it.

Is your camper hooked to a GFCI?

sailingsuppo46 · 10-25-2010, 10:23 AM

Bama,
Not at the CG. I do not use it at home. Never pulled the element on one these units. How easy or complicated is it? Anything specially about it? Thanks,

**Bama Rambler** · 10-25-2010, 10:35 AM

I asked because if the element is cracked it'll trip a GFCI but not a standard breaker.

It's not hard to remove it. It just unscrews from the tank. Be sure all the power is off before touching the wiring. You don't want a nasty shock.

sailingsuppo46 · 10-25-2010, 10:52 AM

Thanks. I will check it out. I have been really good about venting the tank and have only recently started using 110. For a new TT, I would think I would get little more use out of the element. Thanks,

grandpaofthree · 10-25-2010, 11:14 AM

For what it is worth, mine makes a little noise, similar to a coffee maker, when it first fires up. However, the noise stops soon and I don't hear anything until it calls on the heat again.

**Herk7769** · 10-25-2010, 11:19 AM

What concerns me here is the gurgling noise you are experiencing.

If the element is bad (VERY easy to do if there is low or no water in the heater) it would not be making noise IMO. Just not heat water on AC.

It sounds to me like you are not replacing the water in the heater at the rate you are taking it out. As Bama stated on a different thread, there needs to be "some" expansion space in the water heater to keep the relief valve from leaking as the hot water expands as it heats up with the faucets closed.

This is accomplished automatically by the outlet on the tank being located lower that the relief valve. When water enters the tank after being drained, air is trapped above the outlet into the camper and acts as an expansion tank.

If the relief valve is opened to vent this trapped air, as heated water expands the relief valve will open and vent water. (possibly making noise when it does - check for water outside under the cover)

Your comment about "really good about venting the tank" makes me wonder since my HVAC guy said NEVER to open the pressure relief valve manually because it may not re-seat correctly or get calcium in the seat and leak. (One of my more expensive home repairs - water everywhere)

For the tank to make noise otherwise, it might be inside the tank.
Like the heater is not refilling fast enough and there is now too much air in there. The water coming out would be very hot, just a lot of burping as it filled up maybe.

Does this noise happen when running off the water pump or city water connection? The "after several showers" comment is the key I believe, I just am not sure how.

Maybe someone else can provide some synergy here.

sailingsuppo46 · 10-25-2010, 06:54 PM

Lou,
You might be on to something. I was at the dealer this afternoon getting them to look at my side wall and my black tank flush problem and I was asked about the water pressure at the CG. It was not the best, but lower then the other CGs we have been at this season. The Tech said the backwash valve would not work properly with low pressure and if I was using a water regulator that would make it even worse.
I am planning a weekend outing this Friday and I will monitor the WH closely. Thanks for the information. Learn more and more every outing. Later,

caper · 10-26-2010, 01:02 PM

My water heater also makes the same sound when on AC ok when on gas.

sailingsuppo46 · 10-26-2010, 01:50 PM

Caper,
Talked to a couple people a the dealership that said the something. I believe Lou made a good point about water pressure. I am trying to go out this weekend and will see if the sound returns with different water pressure. Think I am going to add a heating element to my spare parts locker for insurance. Glad I have propane back up. I don't want to have to tell the wife we are out of hot water. That would be a bad camping trip...... thanks,

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