Hot Water Relief Valve Drip Normal?
When the electric heat to the hot water tank is on, there is a slight drip from the hot water heater relief valve. We do not know if it happens with Propane heat. Is this normal or is there a prob...
Forum Discussion
phays wrote:
I've replaced the PRV on my previous motor home as re-establishing the air space didn't seem to help and the water released by the valve dripped on my connections and prevented the water heater from relighting. I assume the valve leaked both air and water since re-establishing the air space didn't solve my problem.
Not to hijack the thread but if the valve doesn't open until 150 psi, why doesn't the plumbing system in the RV rupture if the valve is leaking because of over pressure conditions? My understanding is that RV plumbing systems can only withstand 50 to 60 psi.
Winnebago tests their plumbing system to 85 psi. They told me setting my water pressure regulator at 65 psi was fine. It's worked okay at that pressure for ten years. We have spent entire summers in parks where the water pressure was way over 65 psi so the plumbing has been subjected to 65 psi for extended periods of time. The PEX tubing is rated to well over 100 psi I believe.
As a side note - the CO town where our summer home is has a supply pressure of 135 psi. When we bought the house last year we didn't realize the Watts house regulator wasn't working - who knows for how long. When I measured it the pressure was at 135 psi. Because i had th water heater replaced (the joys of home ownership) I had them replace the regulator at the same time. The tech recommended setting it at 65 psi which suited me just fine.
