I tested the water system and Girard heater today.
First: Was with the water hose hooked to the city water connection. I had an elbow and Camco water pressure regulator attached the the water hose with about 30 feet of hose running to the trailer. I cleared the water system of air and then tried the kitchen sink with the Girard set at auto. I managed to get a consistent stream of hot water with no cycling from hot to cold. The tap adjustment to get this was very miniscule to get the hot consistent hot water. Also the water was not as hot as the wife wants it to clean dishes. Connected to waste water dump at the campsite this would not be a problem in terms of my grey tank. The bathroom sink was the same kind of adjustment of the hot water tap only to get a consistent flow of hot water. I found the shower the same with the original shower head which has an adjustment to off thus not having to turn the tap once set. All in all in this configuration it is acceptable for our needs.
Secondly: I tested by filling the water tank and using the trailer water pump. I anticipate in this configuration at a campsite we would not have a sewage connection thus the water would be held in the gray tank. With the Girard set to auto I could not really get a decent consistent hot water flow in any of the kitchen, bathroom or shower. Placing the Girard to low helped the issue and I was able to get hot water the same as the first test. The problem being to attain this in this configuration I can see the grey tank filling up fast and the water tank going down fast. Not a really acceptable situation with no water or sewage connections.
I have to say the hot water I get is fine for us for showers and face/hand washing but will have to be supplemented from the kettle to get the hot for dishes. When the water did get hot enough for dishes the Girard cutout I guess on the overheat switch.
Our trailer is small, we do not use it for 'living' but will be using it for travel. Since the CGs we intend to use will all have showers and most, except provincial parks, will have water and sewage hookups we can accept the system as is.
__________________
2013 Ford Explorer 4WD, GVWR 6160, GCWR 10160, Max Tongue Wt 500#, Reese WD Hitch 66151
2012 Skylark 21FBV, GVWR 3500, New July 2013
N Scale Model Railroader
Amateur Photographer
Family History Researcher
Former Canoe Camper & Retired Airline Pilot
|