Proper Spot for Water Pressure Regulator

PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
The tem perature and pressure relief valve is designed to open if the tem perature
of the water within the heater reaches 210°F, or if the water pressure in the heater
reaches 150 pounds. Recreational vehicle water system s are closed system s and
during the water heating cycle the pressure build-up in the water system will reach
150 pounds. W hen this pressure is reached, the pressure relief valve will open
and water will drip from the valve. This dripping will continue until the pressure is
reduced to below 150 pounds, and the valve closes. This condition is norm al and
does not indicate a defective relief valve.
WARNING! Do not place a valve between the relief valve and the tank. Do
not plug the relief valve under any circumstances.
WATER WEEPING OR DRIPPING FROM PRESSURE
RELIEF VALVE
You m ay experience water weeping or dripping from your water heater’s Pressure
and Tem perature (P & T) Relief Valve when your water heater is operating. W ater
weeping or dripping from the P & T Valve does not always m ean the P & T Valve
is defective. As water is heated, it expands. The water system in a recreational
vehicle is a closed system and does not allow for the expansion of heated water.
W hen the pressure of the water system exceeds the relieving point of the P & T
Valve, the valve will relieve the excess pressure.
Suburban recom m ends that a check valve not be installed directly at the inlet to
the water heater tank. This will increase weeping of the pressure relief valve.
WARNING! Do not remove or plug the relief valve.
One way to reduce the frequency of this occurrence is to m aintain an air pocket
at the top of the water heater tank. This air pocket will form in the tank by design.
However, it will be reduced over time by the everyday use of your water heater.
To replenish this air pocket:
1. Turn off water heater.
2. Turn off cold water supply line.
3. Open a faucet in the RV.
4. Pull out on the handle of the Pressure Relief (P & T) Valve and allow water
to flow from the valve until it stops.
5. Release handle on P & T Valve - it should snap closed.
6. Close faucet and turn on cold water supply; as the tank fills, the air pocket
will develop.
Repeat this procedure as often as needed to reduce the frequency of the weeping
of the P & T Valve. If the weeping persists after following this procedure, you m ay
elect to install an expansion or accum ulator tank in the cold water line between the
tank and check valve to relieve the pressure caused by therm al expansion.
Contact your local dealer for assistance.