Check the Water Heater Bypass Dummy!

[jmcgsd]

I posted this on the Lance Owners Site, but though it might be useful here also:

As I've mentioned in a couple of other posts I acquired a '95 Lance 880 recently and I've been fixing minor issues and testing the various components. I had not checked the water heater operation until a couple of days ago because the fresh water tank drain valve was leaking and I wanted to replace it first.

In in any case I got the drain fixed and filled the fresh water tank, turned on the pump, opened both the hot and cold faucets and everything seemed good.

OK time to check the HW heater and tank! So I go outside and fire up the pilot. Wonderful it comes on. With bated breath I turn the heater to on. The burner fires. Wow I'm a happy camper Until it shuts off after about two minutes and the water from the faucet is still cold.

I get get out the air compressor, blow out the burner and the orifice and go through the routine again. Same results. I download the Suburban maintenance manual and read through it. It talks about several other possibilities including improper propane pressure, but everything else is running normally including the furnace and the reefer on gas, so that seems unlikely.

OK probably a bum thermostat. Well much to my dismay the thermostat is an integral part of the control unit and that is going for about $175! The bloody water heater can be completely replaced for about $300.

So i dejectedly call it a day. Sometime in the middle of the night it strikes me that I never checked to see if the water heater was being bypassed. This morning I dig out the owner's manual since the placard by the heater is a bit confusing and I look at the diagram. Sure enough, it appears it is in the bypass configuration. I turn a couple of valves and "whoosh" the water pump runs like mad! What a happy sound that was. After it quits I open a hot water tap and am greeted with the rush of air followed by water. I go outside and start the heater and it stays on. Yippee life is good!

I'm lucky I didn't fry the heater or blow myself (and the camper) to Kingdom Come.

[Bedlam]

When winterizing, I drain the hot water tank and blow out the water lines at all faucets and low points. I do not use the bypass or add pink fluid to the lines. I will dump some antifreeze in all the drain traps.

Now that I have power to the TC when ever I need it, I set up a small space heater inside when I know temperatures will drop bellow 30 degrees and keep the interior about 50 degrees. this is warm enough to prevent any of the plumbing or hot water tank from freezing on my camper.

[deltabravo]

I always open the relief valve to expel an air at the top of the tank when I fill it for the first time each season.

[Old-Biscuit]

YES a new gas control for your pilot flame water heater will cost $140---$192 depending on which gas control based on serial numbers.

You are lucky that will that empty/partially filled WH tank that gas control shut down BEFORE ECO tripped (One shot shut off temp probe set to trip at 190*F)

[newman_fulltime]

thermostat 175:hi buy them all the time for 15-25

[dakonthemountai]

romore wrote:
There are two types of rv'ers, those that have had moments like that and those who are going to. At least you had the courage to confess.:B

True that!!! 🙂

Glad it worked out for you!

Dak

[Driftwood132]

Lol yup been there done that myself. Have a good camping experience!

[romore]

There are two types of rv'ers, those that have had moments like that and those who are going to. At least you had the courage to confess.:B