hot water tanks and expansion

[pan]

I have been camping for 35 years and have always had this problem. After draining all the hot water out of the tank and refilling it with cold water, within 1/2 hour or so the safety valve on the hot water tank weeps because water is reheating and expanding. Has anyone fixed this problem by installing something within the hot water system? Or does anyone have a trick to stop this. Thank you

[Festus2]

In our Suburban HW tank User's Manual, it says that dripping or weeping from the safety valve is "normal" because it is a closed system - unlike that found in a stick house. If the dripping or weeping becomes excessive, it is probably due to the lack of an adequate air pocket at the top of the tank. Over time, the air pocket is reduced and has to be replenished.

Suburban outlines these steps to do that:
1) turn off WH
2) Turn off cold water supply line.
3) Open a faucet in the RV.
4) Pull out the handle of the pressure relief valve and allow water to flow from the valve until it stops.
5) Release handle on valve - it should snap closed.
6) Close faucet and turn on cold water supply; as the tank fills, the air pocket will form.

You may have to repeat this procedure if the dripping does not stop or continues. If it continues to drip, it is recommended that you install an expansion or accumulator tank in the cold water line between the tank and the check valve.

[Stublejumper]

I had the same problem, installed a 2 gallon expansion tank in the cold water system, Also helped with pump cycling when dry camping.

[Steve S]

Mine does the same thing, it only happens when we use all the hot water. As the tank is heating up it weeps for awhile then it stops until someone takes a shower.
I've been told here that it's normal and there's nothing to worry about.