Hot water temp solved

EXTremist · 09-07-2011, 05:24 PM

Hi all,

I was disappointed that there was no adjustabilty with my Atwood in my 19H. The water was warm at best especially when the heater was running on gas. When I searched the forum, all I found was maybe there was an aftermarket add-on for temp adjust.

Well I solved the issue today and let me tell you I'd almost like to turn it down a bit.

The problem was with the bypass valves. There are 3 valves: inlet line, outlet line, and bypass line (the bypass basically is a tube that takes the place of the water heater when you winterize). The problem was all 3 valves were open!!! The bypass line valve was open acting as a mixing valve allowing cold water to enter the outlet line at the same time as the hot.

The water heater functioned normally of course since it only knows how hot the water is inside it. But, when I'd run the hot I'd be inadvertently getting cold mixing in so the water was never very hot. Warm enough to shower etc and definitely better when on electric for some reason (hate to think how hot it might get on electric now!) but not steaming hot.

Once I closed that bypass valve for "normal" operation I can tell you that water is HOT! :lightning:

Maybe it will help someone else to check their valve setup? This is a new 2011 unit and came from the dealer this way.

Good luck!

Mark Fisk

**Crabman** · 09-07-2011, 05:28 PM

Hey Mark, you are not the first one to have this happen. Glad it was an easy fix. As said they are VERY HOT when working properly.

dg1971 · 09-07-2011, 09:41 PM

In 2008, I had the same situation with my brand new Jayco. Took it out the first weekend and parked it 8 miles from home in an RV park to familiarize myself with the features prior to taking it on the road and realized I had lukewarm hot water. The next week, I spent approximately 2 1/2 hours hooking it up, dragging it to my dealer (and back to storage) for my service rep. to spend 30 seconds flipping the bypass off. Guess the new ones are built & shipped with the bypass open.

RustyFairmount · 09-08-2011, 07:31 PM

Amazing story. Thanks for sharing!

EXTremist · 09-11-2011, 07:51 AM

I am actually getting minor dripping from my pressure releif valve...wonder if i need to replace it or maybe go 5 psi higher? Any advice here?

Thanks all!!!

MacEFL · 09-11-2011, 08:53 AM

I was reading the manuals for this a couple of weeks ago and it said that this is normal! I just googled it and there is a lot of information on this.

Seann45 · 09-11-2011, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EXTremist

I am actually getting minor dripping from my pressure releif valve...wonder if i need to replace it or maybe go 5 psi higher? Any advice here?

Thanks all!!!

DON'T go 5 psi higher... it is set where it is for a reason.. turn the heater off turn the water supply off.. open the pressure relief valve and drain let it drain till it stops.. close the valve turn on the water.. turn on the water heater... that should cure your problem... ... ... you probably lost the air bubble that the top of the water heater requires. if that does not cure your problem let the tank cool remove the pressure relief valve and soak it in vinegar... and try again
Seann

EXTremist · 09-11-2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seann45

DON'T go 5 psi higher... it is set where it is for a reason.. turn the heater off turn the water supply off.. open the pressure relief valve and drain let it drain till it stops.. close the valve turn on the water.. turn on the water heater... that should cure your problem... ... ... you probably lost the air bubble that the top of the water heater requires. if that does not cure your problem let the tank cool remove the pressure relief valve and soak it in vinegar... and try again
Seann

Winner! Thanks. Still testing but this looks like the trick. I always purge really well to carry as much fresh as possible before boondocking so I'm sure there was literally no air in my system when I cycled it the first time. Just did the recommendation from fix it site after a search (same as above basically) to get the air space bank in the tank and ran it until it shut down. No leaks out the prv that time. I still have a bit of testing to do tomorrow when it cools off overnight after running the pump and running some hot through the kitchen faucet but I think it is resolved.

Oh, and I would hope it is still a bit too new to have calcium deposits and needing the vinegar yet...valve looks really good; brand new in fact.

Thanks again!

Mark Fisk

You may also like: