Jump to content

It Has to be Something Simple . . . ?


NA8M

Recommended Posts

I have a class A MH with a propane water heater. The manufacturer plumbed in a bypass valve. It's a simple lever. "Normal" or "Bypass" are the options.

 

I bet this valve was NEVER placed in bypass. The last time the MH was used the water heater provided hot water just as you'd expect. That was probably three years ago. Yep, lots of gathered dust.

 

Water runs into the water heater and is heated. Water heater works fine.

 

But do you think I could get hot water out of that water heater? No Way. I've mulled this over for months. I then pumped the plumbing full (seventy psi) of air and still the water refuses to flow through. There are no water leaks in the plumbing. The faucet in the "wet bay" is turned off. There's just not a drop of water running out of the hot water taps. None. Anywhere.

 

This simply has to be something incredibly dumb on my part. But what?

 

Before I send in a professional can you please suggest a few more things to check.

 

I sure appreciate the assistance of the accumulated brain trust on this site.

 

Bill, NA8M

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If there is a mixing valve in the tank outlet I would suspect it is corroded and malfunctioning. Not a cheap replacement and many remove it and install a manual bypass to portion the hot and cold. When mine failed I opted to install a stop in the bypass and eliminate the mixing valve. We then used the spigots to regulate the temperature.

ylXUWGQ.gif

ajaR0Ky.gif

YuzFntZ.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Had the same problem last year, bad check valve at the tank outlet line.

I too would look to the check valve first. When you get back there it will probably look more like a plumbing nipple than like a check valve and usually the RV builders use the cheapest plastic ones that they can find. It will probably look something like the first picture, could be the second and the third is what I'd use to replace it.

41YDJY6E13L._AC_US240_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg31Pt1InC3bL._AC_US240_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg41dCGF8qZCL._AC_US240_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg

There are a few other possibilities and the hot/cold mixing valve is probably next on the suspect list if you have one. They aren't yet common but are getting more so and would be worth checking. If you have one it will have a water line from the water heater and one from cold, along with another outlet to the hot water system. Here is a picture of an Atwood mixing valve.

51+hDeMgkBL._AC_US240_QL65_.jpg

Good travelin !...............Kirk

Full-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.
Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure

            images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqFswi_bvvojaMvanTWAI

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Just a quick follow-up. You guys NAILED it. The rv fix-it guy insisted it was the "normal or bypass" valve. When he plumbed past the valve he took your suggestion. I guess there's a really nice brass check valve on the output of the water heater now.

 

Thank You all.

 

Bill, NA8M

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

RVers Online University

mywaggle.com

campgroundviews.com

RV Destinations

Find out more or sign up for Escapees RV'ers Bootcamp.

Advertise your product or service here.

The Rvers- Now Streaming

RVTravel.com Logo



×
×
  • Create New...