Forum Discussion

Tracus's avatar
Tracus
Explorer
Jun 13, 2015

Water heater for a Winnebago Vista 27N

After five weeks of driving cross country we've learned that the water in the water heater stays hot long after the heater has been turned off. After driving 8+ hours we pull into a campground and the hot water from the tap can be too hot to touch.

1. Gas is off while we're driving
2. Is it possible the tank receives a source of heat from the engine?
3. Is the water heater that well insulated.

In advance, thanks for taking the time to address this puzzler.

Chris
Class A
  • Goldencrazy's avatar
    Goldencrazy
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2015
    Motoraid is the system used by Winnebago to heat water on the road. Atwood is just the brand of water heater. Winnebago routes the water heated by your engine to the water heater and coils heat it. You get free hot water on the road and it helps the engine cooling a bit as well. Great system. Enjoy.
  • Tracus's avatar
    Tracus
    Explorer
    Jun 14, 2015
    midnightsadie wrote:
    my wife turns the water heater on, waits an hour then takes her shower says temp is just right, yes there very well packed in insulation. things sound normal.


    The water heater is an Atwood, not a Motoraid. I'm inclined to agree with you about the insulation. The gas was turned off while driving, so it wasn't that. I'm also inclined to give some reason for the temperatures we've been driving through 80-90 degrees,which would reduce the drop in stored water temperatures.

    Thanks for all the advice.

    Chris
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jun 13, 2015
    Look at the back of water heater tank......does it have two hoses coming out of it that are not part of cold/hot plumbing but are engine coolant hoses?

    What is model number of water heater?
    Does it have an 'H' in model number? (Atwood---motor aid)
    Does it have an 'M' in model number? (Suburban----motor aid)

    No hoses, no 'H'/no 'M' then propane was left ON.
    Tanks are insulated but water will not be too hot to touch after driving 8+ hrs. without being heated
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Jun 13, 2015
    Our water heater has no gas fire. It is jacket water or electric. I leave the electric off and we are seldom in a campground but we have hot water in the morning if we want it. The only time we look for a campground is when DW wants to wash her hair. She prefers to do that is a real shower. Our water heater is 40+ like the rest of the coach.

    Matt
  • fredbon's avatar
    fredbon
    Explorer
    Jun 13, 2015
    Sounds like the Motoraid system is working as it should, check your manuals in the plumbing section.

    Fred
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Jun 13, 2015
    my wife turns the water heater on, waits an hour then takes her shower says temp is just right, yes there very well packed in insulation. things sound normal.

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