Understanding my Water Heater

Strwbry · 10-29-2023, 03:18 PM

Hello my name is April and I am new to Full Time Living. I have a 2015 Passport Ultra Lite 2200RB. I have a huge to me question about my water heater. I have done some research on my water heater and I am still confused. The thing that I’m perplexed about is the brass spout because it leaks all the time if I leave the water heater on. Please see photos. I read that it does that if it gets to hot and it expands and secretes the excess out. I also thought I read something about turning the temp down but not sure how. I would be so grateful to anyone that can help a 1st timer out. I’ll accept any and all knowledge you have about my water heater. I’m here to learn. Thank you in advance.

Terry W. · 10-29-2023, 03:35 PM

If you are talking about the brass looking item right below the door latch with the little handle on it. It is a t&p valve, temperature and pressure relief value. If the temp or pressure get too high it is designed to release. It could be failing. First thing I would do is replace it and see what happens.

tacoma238ml · 10-29-2023, 03:41 PM

The temperature is non adjustable ,you can get a service kit that replaces the thermodisc with a adjustable thermodisc atwood no. 93105 as for the relief valve leaking yes it maybe failing ,also do you use a pressure regulator when connected to campground water

Strwbry · 10-29-2023, 03:50 PM

Thank you for replying. I have not replaced anything and will do that right away. I do not have a pressure regulator and it sounds like I need one so I’ll get it asap.

wiredgeorge · 10-29-2023, 03:58 PM

On the outside to the right is a label, make and model of the water heater would be helpful. I have a Suburban unit and mine is adjustable temperature by changing out a couple components. I would turn that water heater off and replace the relief valve after letting the water cool. If you remove/replace the relief valve, water will come out so better it not be hot. The drain is probably that large nut where you have 15/16 labeled. It probably doesn't need to be removed as removing the relief valve shouldn't see a lot of water coming out.

**JRTJH** · 10-29-2023, 04:02 PM

Before you go spending money on a part you likely don't need, take a look at your Atwood Water Heater Manual. If you don't have it handy, here's the "important part" about why your water heater relief valve is leaking.

Yes, there's a possibility that it might be bad, but there's a greater probability that since you haven't been re-establishing the air gap properly, that's the reason it's leaking.

Here's the comment about why it's leaking and how to re-establish the air gap. There's a WARNING about turning off the water, letting the water heater cool before doing anything with the relief valve. Trust me, the water coming out of the relief valve will scald your skin quickly, so heed that warning or you may wind up in the Emergency Room.

Strwbry · 10-29-2023, 05:31 PM

I looked up the last suggestion to check the water pump once a year. I realized i had my water pump on while on city water. Is a check water valve the same as the water pressure valve? It looks the same.

Carl n Susan · 10-29-2023, 06:43 PM

The Leak/drip is most likely a lack of an air gap allowing for water expansion when heated. Do as JRTJH suggested and follow the instructions to re-establish the gap.

Strwbry · 10-30-2023, 11:06 AM

I did as suggested and now it’s making a humming noise. It’s coming from the spout area.

Strwbry · 10-30-2023, 11:07 AM

The valve just spins so i don’t know when closed or open. The valve thing on the spout just spins and I don’t know if it open or closed
Looks like it still dripped a bit. I left water heater on all night but didn't use it

**flybouy** · 10-30-2023, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strwbry

The valve just spins so i don’t know when closed or open. The valve thing on the spout just spins and I don’t know if it open or closed
Looks like it still dripped a bit. I left water heater on all night but didn't use it

The pressure relief valve does not unscrew. You pull the leaver away from the valve. The lever is connected to the valve plunger via the pin in the handle. The short end of that handle (lever) is rounded and acts as a cam.

DO NOT OPEN THAT VALVE WHILE THE WATER IS HOT! Turn the water off, then run the hot water from a faucet until the water runs cold, then shut the water supply off and open the pressure relief valve.

**chuckster57** · 10-30-2023, 11:29 AM

The tab will spin freely, no worries. The “hum” was most likely the noise these things make while heating water.

If it’s still dripping then it’s time to replace it. Make sure the water heater is OFF and you can run any hot tap until you feel cool water.

Then relieve all the pressure in the system, and using a large wrench, remove the pressure relief valve. There are 2 different thread sizes so your best bet is to take it with you to the hardware store. All the major stores (Home Depot,Lowe’s etc.) should carry it.

bobbecky · 10-30-2023, 06:06 PM

This video will help to understand the operation of the water heater T&P valve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilEt4PROv2A

bobbecky · 10-30-2023, 06:23 PM

Here are additional videos about the suburban water heaters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO3XnDkJ1wU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJFJjIgNV74

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAhQgCTnNcA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCLo5engFkg

bobbecky · 10-31-2023, 11:11 AM

I was just looking at the photos, and I believe the water heater is an Atwood, now a Dometic, and it will not have an anode because the tank is aluminum. To drain the tank, the white plastic hex thing is the tank drain.

**sourdough** · 10-31-2023, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbecky

I was just looking at the photos, and I believe the water heater is an Atwood, now a Dometic, and it will not have an anode because the tank is aluminum. To drain the tank, the white plastic hex thing is the tank drain.

I agree. That is an Atwood/Dometic.

wiredgeorge · 10-31-2023, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbecky

I was just looking at the photos, and I believe the water heater is an Atwood, now a Dometic, and it will not have an anode because the tank is aluminum. To drain the tank, the white plastic hex thing is the tank drain.

Good catch! The fact the the water heater is an Atwood was mentioned in a previous post.

Strwbry · 11-11-2023, 02:27 PM

Here’s the make and model. I’m not sure still by a bypass valve

**sourdough** · 11-11-2023, 02:58 PM

That is a 6 gallon Atwood (now Dometic) water heater. Did you get that pressure relief valve fixed?

The very first picture you posted of the back of the water heater is small and difficult to see. I believe your bypass valve is at the bottom of the vertical blue water line (to the right of the red vertical water line). It appears to be a black valve with the valve handle pointing horizontally for normal operation. For bypass turn the valve vertically. The valve will then point up and down basically showing the direction of the water flow - going up the vertical blue pipe and then back to the left and going into the red hot water lines. When it gets to the top of the blue vertical water line the water cannot go to the right into the water tank because there is a one way valve there that prevents it.

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