2023 Keystone Springdale Hot water issue

[MaidenHolland]

Hi everyone! I recently purchased a 2023 Keystone Springdale 293rk. I have noticed twice no that the hot water runs out after about 5 minutes of use. From matters out of my control, i will be living in this for a few months and would like to know if anyone could help with this issue? I'm new to the whole RV thing. And no very little.

it has a girard on demand tankless water heater

[chuckster57]

On demand water heaters are not supposed to shut off as long as water is flowing. Did you get the owners manual when you bought the trailer?

[MaidenHolland]

I had to download it, yes. But it really doesn't tell me much about it.

[chuckster57]

Ok. Let’s cover the basics. Your hooked up to city water? Do you use a filter or pressure regulator? If so which ones?

[MaidenHolland]

I purchased this, but it hasn't arrived yet. RVGUARD RV Water Pressure Regulator Valve, Brass Lead-Free Adjustable Water Pressure Reducer with Gauge and Inlet Screen Filter for RV Camper Travel Trailer. It is supposed to be here on Thursday.

And hooked up to city water.

[chuckster57]

Ok, that’s a good quality regulator. Are you connected to a well?

[MaidenHolland]

Yes, it is !

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by MaidenHolland

Yes, it is !

Yes, it is a good quality regulator or Yes, the trailer is connected to a well ???

[MaidenHolland]

Hooked to a well

[chuckster57]

Since an on demand water heater is dependent on water flow. I would roll your fresh tank full and then operate the hot water using the water pump.

If it operates as designed, then I would be looking at the well system.

[MaidenHolland]

I will try that. I was just afraid that the tank would freeze with these cold PA nights.

Thank you for your time!

[cougar23]

As stated, tankless water heaters depend on water FLOW. In other words it only heats when water is flowing thru the pipes. Had one, hated it and replaced it with gas/elect.
If your unit has a temp. control try setting the temp. at 100 degrees or so and do not use any cold water to mix. Using your fresh water tank and pump is good. Water must not only flow but it must flow at a good rate.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by MaidenHolland

I will try that. I was just afraid that the tank would freeze with these cold PA nights.

Thank you for your time!

With daytime Temps above freezing the FW tank should not freeze. The water lines and fittings would freeze first. Think or it this way, if you placed a large container ( like a 10 or 15 gallon wash tub) and set it outside full of water, do you think it would freeze solid overnight? It takes more than just overnight freezing temperatures to freeze the FW tank.

Edit: Forgot to add, regardless of water source you should have a quality water filter in your water hook up line. It's especially warranted when using well water. Tankless water heaters are more prone to minerals in the water than tank type heaters.

[MaidenHolland]

My hook up is coming from a filtration system from the house that is on the property

[Alibaddy]

We have a 2021 Alpine 360 RL which also has the suburban demand hot water heater. We just recently purchased this trailer as the second owner. Frequently we cannot get hot water and we have discovered that the fix is to turn off the breaker to the converter, and turn off the switch for battery power, then wait about a minute and turn both back on. The heater then works perfectly. To get hot water and minimize the water consumption, we have learned to open the tap to a trickle until it feels warm and then open it up to full flow.

[TXiceman]

Like Cougar23, our trailer has a Girrard tankless water heater, and I HATE the thing. You can't lower the flow or shut it off. The heater shuts down and then to get heated water again, you have to run a long blast of cold water to get it hot again. I am looking to put a gas tank type water heater back into the hole.

Keystone in their infinite wisdom (stupidity) choose to place the water heater in the far diagonally opposite area from the bath and kitchen. The designer needs to be keel-hauled as a minimum.

Ken

[NH_Bulldog]

One thing I didn’t see that anyone mention yet was incoming water temperature.

The tankless models only have limited contact time with the water to heat it as it flows through the unit. At average flow, the heater is only physically capable of raising water temperature a certain amount. The colder the incoming water, the cooler the water coming out of the faucet.

For example, if the tankless heater can only raise water temperature by 50°F, and the incoming water is 35°F, you can only expect a max (under ideal efficiency) of 85°F. Since 85°F is less than body temperature of 98.6°F, it will feel cool/cold.

I have a new 5th wheel on order and it will have a “conventional” DSI gas/electric water heater installed before I take delivery. I have heard of too many bad experiences with the tankless water heaters.