RV Hot Water Heater

[ktchase4]

Just bought a new RV. We've had one before and hardly had any issues. One issue I'm having with the new RV is getting hot water. I've attached a picture of the setup for the hot water tank. To me, this doesn't seem right. I'm not even sure if the hot water tank is filling up either. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[SoundGuy]

ktchase4 wrote:
Just a quick update on the water heater and bypass valves. It was as simple as just turning them 90 degrees so they are pointing into the water heater.

Had to replace the element (no big deal).

Just as I said back on Page 1 - "It would seem both valves are in the bypass position, as indicated by the levers being in line with the bypass hose. Turn each one 90 degrees so cold water is directed into the tank and hot water can exit. Unfortunately you may have damaged the water heater by running it without water in it, particularly if it has an electric heating element and you switched it to the on mode during your tests."

Now you know. 😉

[ktchase4]

Just a quick update on the water heater and bypass valves. It was as simple as just turning them 90 degrees so they are pointing into the water heater. I bought the camper brand new and it was given to us this way. They told us they tested for hot water so we never figured they'd turn the valves (nor did they tell us that). Maybe they didn't even test for hot water and that was a lie? Anyway, everything is good now. Had to replace the element (no big deal). Thanks for everyone's responses!

[myredracer]

beemerphile1 wrote:

BB_TX wrote:
Those are standard 3 way valves. The direction of the handle indicates the direction of water flow. Shown in position to bypass water heater. Turn both 90 degrees to flow thru water heater.

I agree with this, I would turn each handle 90 degrees.

Ditto! This is exactly how our factory installation looks. 'Course, you might argue sometimes the factories do amateurish work... 😞

After turning the valves to the correct position, the tank will take a bit to fill up. Open a hot water faucet and let the air expel. If you have an electric element, never turn it on without water in the tank otherwise the element will burn out immediately.

[wa8yxm]

YEs Both valves the same. Likely 90 degrees clockwise from what they are in the photo but .. might be counterclockwise. and might be 180 degrees.
I would start with 90 clockwise.

Here is an easy way to do it
Fill fresh tank disconnect from or turn off city water and turn on water pump. I it makes noise when it is running.

SLowly rotate the COLD valve till the pump runs.. IT will run for a good amount of time by the way. WHen this happens "Center" the valve handle so it is 90, or 180 degrees from where it is now. Then set the othe valve to the SAME position. This should let the water heater fill (What is happening when the pump runs) and flow on to the faucets.

[Bobbo]

ktchase4 wrote:
So do you agree that both valves should be turned in the same direction?

If you follow this procedure, you will end up with the valves in the correct orientation. Then you can put a drop of green paint on the two valve handles to remind you which way is "camping green."

Bobbo wrote:
Here is a systematic approach.

Pressurize the water system. Open a hot water faucet. If water does not flow, and you don't hear air being purged from the system, turn ONE of those valves. Either one. If water flows from the faucet, go to the next step. If air is being purged from the system, wait until you get water flow, then go on to the next step. With the water system still pressurized, go to the outside of the water heater and open the pop-off valve momentarily. If water does not gush out, turn those valves the other way. Both of them.

[ktchase4]

wa8yxm wrote:
THanks for the photo.
There are 3 hot water bypass systems used in RV's. I will explain why later

1 Valve
2 Valve (what you have. I"ve never seen one before)
3 vlave (What I have)

The two valves one hot and one cold are 3-way valves. Now USUALLY you turn the valve to where you want the water to flow.. Turning the cold valve one way water flows into the heater tank. the other way into the bypass hose and likely ther eis an OFF too if its not locked into 90 degrees.

Same for the hot but the flow is FROM the tank/bypass

WHY.

Well to give you an example.. Last April I figured it was warm enough and headed north. .SURPRISE. well below freezing long about Ohio. So i put my vlaves in BYPASS and opened the water heater drain.. Saved on propane to keep the water wet instead of HARD (Hard as Ice)

I have seen what happens when you freeze a full heater.. (Thankfully it was not MY heater).

Thanks for your response. So do you agree that both valves should be turned in the same direction?

[wa8yxm]

THanks for the photo.
There are 3 hot water bypass systems used in RV's. I will explain why later

1 Valve
2 Valve (what you have. I"ve never seen one before)
3 vlave (What I have)

The two valves one hot and one cold are 3-way valves. Now USUALLY you turn the valve to where you want the water to flow.. Turning the cold valve one way water flows into the heater tank. the other way into the bypass hose and likely ther eis an OFF too if its not locked into 90 degrees.

Same for the hot but the flow is FROM the tank/bypass

WHY.

Well to give you an example.. Last April I figured it was warm enough and headed north. .SURPRISE. well below freezing long about Ohio. So i put my vlaves in BYPASS and opened the water heater drain.. Saved on propane to keep the water wet instead of HARD (Hard as Ice)

I have seen what happens when you freeze a full heater.. (Thankfully it was not MY heater).

[turbojimmy]

It looks homemade but probably isn't. I saw the exact same setup on a friend's new-to-him pop-up. I assumed it was homemade, but now that I've seen an identical setup I'm not so sure.

Anyhow, everyone is right - that's set in the winterize position. It prevents antifreeze from entering the tank but lets it flow to the hot water side of your plumbing through that white loop hose. Both handles should be turned 90 degrees to let water in and out of the tank and will block flow to the white loop hose.

[MFL]

Yep, handles are pointing to white bypass hose position. Bottom valve handle needs to point toward the heater for cold water to enter, and same for top valve to let hot water out to faucets.

Jerry

[ktchase4]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
DO the valve handles move so that they POINT inward towards the water heater tank?


Cold in thru bottom and hot out thru top

Not sure about that yet. I'm going to test things out this weekend. I will let everyone know the results. Thanks!

[Old-Biscuit]

DO the valve handles move so that they POINT inward towards the water heater tank?


Cold in thru bottom and hot out thru top

[SoundGuy]

ktchase4 wrote:
I turned the hot water valve 90 degrees and had the hot water side of the faucet on. The water started sputtering and eventually stopped.

Both valves have to be set correctly for cold water to enter the WH tank and hot water to exit.

[ktchase4]

beemerphile1 wrote:

BB_TX wrote:
Those are standard 3 way valves. The direction of the handle indicates the direction of water flow. Shown in position to bypass water heater. Turn both 90 degrees to flow thru water heater.

I agree with this, I would turn each handle 90 degrees.

That was one test I did before I gave up originally. I turned the hot water valve 90 degrees and had the hot water side of the faucet on. The water started sputtering and eventually stopped.

[beemerphile1]

BB_TX wrote:
Those are standard 3 way valves. The direction of the handle indicates the direction of water flow. Shown in position to bypass water heater. Turn both 90 degrees to flow thru water heater.

I agree with this, I would turn each handle 90 degrees.