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Old 08-29-2015, 09:09 AM   #1
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Hot water tank

1986, 23ft class c. Recently pick up this rig and of course the owners manual was missing. So I have a few questions concerning the hot water system.
1. Is there anyway to tell how much water is in the tank(saw no gauge)
2. Does the heater work with the cabin heating system or separate. I have only found one pilot light for that system.
3 If they are together, can I run the heat without water in the tank.. Live in northern Mn and want to use in colder months so I want to winterize system while it is still nice out.
Any other info on these two systems would be appreciated. Thanks
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Old 08-29-2015, 09:17 AM   #2
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#1 No gauge Only way to know is to fill you system and open any hot water valve at sink Also the model number of the heater will tell you how many gal. it holds


#2 they operate separately. Temp control for water heater is on the water heater.


#3 get make and model numbers of the different components and do a search for manuals
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Old 08-29-2015, 09:26 AM   #3
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On that era WH, it should be propane powered only.

Typically when I fill the WH I open the pressure relief valve to purge out the air. To drain, I remove the plug at the bottom of the tank and open the pressure relief valve.

To winterize, I drain the whole ststem, with low pressure air. If you have bypass valves, bypass the WH, and use RV antifreeze in all the lines and traps.

The water heater is large enough that the very small amount of water will not do any damage.
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Old 08-29-2015, 10:47 AM   #4
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hot watedr

Jaygiven, so I understand the hot water tank is propane only, no cabin battery required. Looking at other threads, it looks like it is safe to have on when traveling.
Also, is it safe to have heat on when moving.
Propane is kind of scary to me
Thanks
One more thing I forgot to ask. What happens when hot water empties, does heater still stay on. So once tank empties does it take more water out of the fresh water tank or does it stay empty until fresh water tank is filled
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Old 08-29-2015, 11:05 AM   #5
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As Jaygiven said, you WH is PROBABLY only propane powered and uses a standing pilot light. If it is also electric, you should see an on/off switch somewhere in the trailer. My older Komfort had an electric wh switch in the bathroom.

Your WH works just like the one you have at home - as you use hotwater, cold water fills in behind. Before you light the pilot, fill the tank with water and vent off the air by either opening the pressure relief at the WH, or open all your hotwater taps until the air is out.

Tim
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Old 08-29-2015, 02:23 PM   #6
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First let me say this unit has not been used for awhile and propane tank was almost empty. Filled tank and got all the valves open. Tried the cooking burner first, it took some time before it would light but works great. On to the W/H. Followed the instructions on the heater and cannot get it to light. I held in pilot button down for some time. Could it be that when I opened the relief valve and water came out and hit some of the stuff around the control. Also maybe I have not held the pilot button long enough. What would happen if I went to run without pilot lit? Will the thermacoupler prevent this.
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Old 08-29-2015, 02:36 PM   #7
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You may need to clean out the pilot orifice as it may be clogged from sitting un-used spiders and insects will build nest and it doesn't take much to clog the orifice
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Old 08-29-2015, 02:50 PM   #8
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x2 what bedrck46 said. Also, it may take some time to get the system up and flowing again. Then if the thermocoupler has to much oxidation on it, that will prevent lighting. You can try removing it and scraping it off or replacing it. Its sounds harder than it actually is and is a relatively cheap endeavor.
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Old 08-29-2015, 03:04 PM   #9
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Dah. Stupid me, got it to light. Did not have the lighter far enough into the unit. Close to the pilot light but not close enough. Thanks for helping out on my not so smart move
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Old 08-29-2015, 03:26 PM   #10
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You may want to consider this type of mod to make draining the water heater easier. Its relatively cheap.
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WH drain.jpg  
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Old 08-29-2015, 05:17 PM   #11
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heater

Great idea
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Old 09-06-2015, 05:51 PM   #12
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You may want to consider this type of mod to make draining the water heater easier. Its relatively cheap.
Your water heater looks very close to the model I have, My question is does your heater heat the water to very hot or just very warm? My Gas only water heater just heats it to warm. I took a shower with hot only. After its been heated for a long time. Its on a 2016 Starcraft 24RLS
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Old 09-06-2015, 06:35 PM   #13
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Your water heater looks very close to the model I have, My question is does your heater heat the water to very hot or just very warm? My Gas only water heater just heats it to warm. I took a shower with hot only. After its been heated for a long time. Its on a 2016 Starcraft 24RLS
My water heater gets very hot. Almost too hot. Although, there are only a couple of manufacturers of RV water heaters (Atwood or Suburban). Technological advances have changed them a lot regarding self igniting, electrical capable, anode rods, etc. but they are still basically the same.

So yours probably is the same as mine. Check your thermostat. They are usually fixed temperature but there are adjustable temperature models which are cheap and easy to put on.
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Old 09-07-2015, 05:25 AM   #14
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My water heater gets very hot. Almost too hot. Although, there are only a couple of manufacturers of RV water heaters (Atwood or Suburban). Technological advances have changed them a lot regarding self igniting, electrical capable, anode rods, etc. but they are still basically the same.

So yours probably is the same as mine. Check your thermostat. They are usually fixed temperature but there are adjustable temperature models which are cheap and easy to put on.
Mine is a atwood, thanks for the information on the thermostat, its bran new but I guess that's what working out the bugs is all about. I'll get my model number and check the RV dealer for maybe a hotter one.
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Old 09-07-2015, 07:22 AM   #15
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Jaygiven, so I understand the hot water tank is propane only, no cabin battery required.
YES the battery is required.. so there is power to tell the propane when to turn on or off...

Opening the overflow valve on the water heater is a great idea esp for newbes as they then know for sure the water heater has water in it and is not set to by pass. Shut off your water heater when traveling.. no need to heat the water at that point.. many states require that you shut off the propane while in motion the fridge should hold the cold for 6+ hours IF you do not open the fridge door
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Old 09-07-2015, 12:52 PM   #16
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Mine is a atwood, thanks for the information on the thermostat, its bran new but I guess that's what working out the bugs is all about. I'll get my model number and check the RV dealer for maybe a hotter one.
If your thermostat is brand new, look to improper installation... Also, it has been stated to check the bypass. If your bypass line is open and both valves (input and output lines) are open, you will only get warm water because your bypass will allow cold water to flow through bypassing the tank and mix with the hot water coming out of the tank.
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