Hot Water Issue
Hey, Kids! There are a couple other posts nearby, that are close to my issue, but not close enough that I feel like hijacking their threads.
My issue, which I have had for some time is just wierd. Hers' what I know. When I turn on the heater in a full tank of water, it gets hot. Electric or propane, no matter. However, when I turn on the hot water, it is hot for only about 5-20 seconds, then goes to luke warm. Here's the fix. I must turn off the pump, open the drain plug, open the temp/press relief valve, and let about 2-3 gal run out on the ground. This is all hot water (the whole tank, actually, if I let it all out!). Put drain plug back in, close TPRV, turn pump back on and fill water tank by opening a hot water faucet. Turn heater back on, wait a bit and, voila! Hot water for shower, dishes, etc.
One other factor that may or not be relative. When the heater only produces 10 seconds of hot water, the pump will spontaneously run for about 1 sec, every couple hours, without running water. I have searched, diligently for any kind of leak, to no avail. Nothing, Nada, Zip! Everything I can see is dry! When the hot water continues to flow, this does not happen!
Here's what I'm thinking; There is supposed to be a bubble in the top of the heater tank, and when it's not there, the cold water mixes with the hot too quickly and turns luke warm. When the bubble is present, the mixing is correct.
Question; what happens to the bubble in the tank? Is it related to the pump running on it's own? Is there any other reason for the pump to run, other than a pressure drop? If not, why is there no water leaking when the system is under pressure all the time? What is there about this bubble, that I can't find any information about it anywhere?
I know someone out there in RV land will have the answer for my questions and I thank you sincerely in advance for the help!!! David
My issue, which I have had for some time is just wierd. Hers' what I know. When I turn on the heater in a full tank of water, it gets hot. Electric or propane, no matter. However, when I turn on the hot water, it is hot for only about 5-20 seconds, then goes to luke warm. Here's the fix. I must turn off the pump, open the drain plug, open the temp/press relief valve, and let about 2-3 gal run out on the ground. This is all hot water (the whole tank, actually, if I let it all out!). Put drain plug back in, close TPRV, turn pump back on and fill water tank by opening a hot water faucet. Turn heater back on, wait a bit and, voila! Hot water for shower, dishes, etc.
One other factor that may or not be relative. When the heater only produces 10 seconds of hot water, the pump will spontaneously run for about 1 sec, every couple hours, without running water. I have searched, diligently for any kind of leak, to no avail. Nothing, Nada, Zip! Everything I can see is dry! When the hot water continues to flow, this does not happen!
Here's what I'm thinking; There is supposed to be a bubble in the top of the heater tank, and when it's not there, the cold water mixes with the hot too quickly and turns luke warm. When the bubble is present, the mixing is correct.
Question; what happens to the bubble in the tank? Is it related to the pump running on it's own? Is there any other reason for the pump to run, other than a pressure drop? If not, why is there no water leaking when the system is under pressure all the time? What is there about this bubble, that I can't find any information about it anywhere?
I know someone out there in RV land will have the answer for my questions and I thank you sincerely in advance for the help!!! David
