Water heater plug

[ct78barnes]

Have coach in storage . I all ways just leave the nut out of the water heater in storage and put it back in when ready to start new season. My question we are going to snow bird south the end of this month. We have motor aid and was wondering if I should just leave it out till I get to warmer weather or in stall it with no water in it. How do you snow birds handle this question. Thanks . 36 ft Winnabago gas v10 coach.

[mat60]

Thanks

[wa8yxm]

Put plug in so it does not get lost
DO NOT PUT WATETR in the system or tank till at least South Carolina

Where it is currently FREEZING

[ct78barnes]

White tape around threads

[mat60]

Do you guys use any pipe dope on the plug before installing the plug?

[Jim]

Mine broke too. Took it to a RV dealer and the tech came out with a large screw driver, jammed it into what was left of the plastic plug still in the hole and backed it out in seconds.

Didn't charge anything.

[down_home]

I favor replacing the plug instead of reuse. Nylon or whatever it is gives out or did for us.
Had a leaky plug tried to tighten it with very modest force and it broke. Without some he I would have never got it out. Atwood tech let me a tap and tool to extract broken plug. I carry several with us now.

[ct78barnes]

Thank you I will put the plug back in.

[Dutch_12078]

We've traveled on several occasions with a full water tank and water heater in temps down to 0℉ or so with no freeze ups. We've arrived at too many parks for an overnight to find their water system is shut down to not travel without a good supply on board.

[Old-Biscuit]

ct78barnes wrote:
I was wondering with motor aid heating the empty tank cause damage to the water heater.

RVs are delivered w/o water so all water heaters with motoraid have been w/o water.

engine coolant will only heat 'water' to 130*F
w/o water in water heater the tank dissipates the temp very quickly due to size/mass of WH Tank and limited heating from that 1/2" tubing that coolant flows thru


Non-issue

Jim@HiTek wrote:
I doubt it as the water is what? 180F? Even if the coils were hanging in the empty tank for days with hot water in them, doubt they would fail. Just not hot enough.

FYI........
IF water heater was filled and turned on (electric or propane) the temps would only be 130*F or 140*F (Suburban/Atwood).
Would only reach 180*F IF 'normal' temp t-stat failed then overheating could occur

Motoraid is not a heating coil etc
It is just a 1/2" 'U' Tube welded to back of WH Tank wall that hot coolant from MH Engine that flows thru it heating water in water heater while driving MH

[enblethen]

When freezing temperatures are expected, fill tank with enough water for overnight use, then disconnect, drain and store water hose.

[Jim]

I doubt it as the water is what? 180F? Even if the coils were hanging in the empty tank for days with hot water in them, doubt they would fail. Just not hot enough.

BTW, most Class A RV's I'm familiar with the water system can withstand 20F weather for many days before you need worry. You didn't tell us the year or brand of RV you have but newer RVs, say from 2000 on, also have PEX plumbing that is much more tolerant of freezing then the older grey stuff.

So partially fill the onboard water tank at the first overnight stop you stay at, than fill your water heater tank...your system will be fine. Just do the regular...before bed, turn off the shore water, or turn off the pump if you're boondocking.

[enblethen]

Motor aid should not get hot enough to do any damage.
While winterizing, I drain the water heater and then re-install the plug. I replace the plug if corners are rounded out.
I would not be concerned about temperatures just below freezing while traveling south. Not sure if your rig has heated water compartment. Mine has that feature and have traveled well below freezing with no problems.

[ct78barnes]

I was wondering with motor aid heating the empty tank cause damage to the water heater.

[Ozlander]

I drain the tank and put the plug back in.
Why leave it out and let the bugs crawl in?