Low Hot Water Pressure

F350guy · 09-09-2020, 07:41 PM

Hooked up to park water the hot water pressure is a little less than the cold. Using the fresh water tank pump it is even worse. Cold is acceptable but hot is not very good, especially in the shower. It's not much more than a trickle in the shower. We are operating on our tank right now due to the below freezing temps here in Colorado so not looking forward to a shower.

I checked behind the water heater for a shut off valve that might have been partially closed but couldn't find one. Any hints what to do or look for?

klassic · 09-09-2020, 08:48 PM

While you were back there, did you check for a kinked water line?
I think they use soft flex pipe for the hotwater tank and it could easily kink when it gets hot.

**JFlightRisk** · 09-09-2020, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F350guy

Hooked up to park water the hot water pressure is a little less than the cold. Using the fresh water tank pump it is even worse. Cold is acceptable but hot is not very good, especially in the shower. It's not much more than a trickle in the shower. We are operating on our tank right now due to the below freezing temps here in Colorado so not looking forward to a shower.

I checked behind the water heater for a shut off valve that might have been partially closed but couldn't find one. Any hints what to do or look for?

One possibility is the check valve on the back of the water heater. Brass ones are sold at Lowes, and HD to replace the plastic one. May need the thread size to get the right one.

F350guy · 09-10-2020, 09:02 AM

What I have noticed is when I turn on hot water the pump pulses. When I turn on cold it runs continuously which may mean a restricted water flow on the hot side. Hopefully it will be warm enough today for me to check for any restrictions and see how it works with the city water hooked up. This is only the second time we have been able to use the Pinnacle since we bought it 3 months ago. I don't remember any issues with water flow on city water on our first trip. This trip has been nothing but fresh tank use so far.

I would hope it is not a check valve but if all else fails that would be my next step.

**JFlightRisk** · 09-10-2020, 10:46 AM

Not for 100% sure, but your pulsing description does make me think check valve. I don't think there's anything else in the hot side plumbing that would be restrictive, and cause that. Just thinking out loud.

F350guy · 09-10-2020, 06:16 PM

Finally got to hook up to city water today. I checked the flow and it is basically the same for hot and cold. So, it is only on the water pump that I lose the hot water flow. Maybe need a higher flow water pump?

Dargo · 09-10-2020, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F350guy

Finally got to hook up to city water today. I checked the flow and it is basically the same for hot and cold. So, it is only on the water pump that I lose the hot water flow. Maybe need a higher flow water pump?

Are you changing the valve setting at the docking station to the water tank line up? Sorry if you did but tend to check simple first.

F350guy · 09-10-2020, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dargo

Are you changing the valve setting at the docking station to the water tank line up? Sorry if you did but tend to check simple first.

There is no flow at all if the settings are not correct. When we first set up using the fresh tank on Monday I told the wife we had a problem, no water. She asked me if I had changed the outside settings. You know the answer.

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