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Old 07-21-2013, 04:51 PM   #1
cjac32
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Hot water heater

My wife and I just picked up our first travel trailer , a 2013 Springdale 267BH. So forgive me if I'm not using the right lingo. This is oir first venture into camping. My question is when I was dumping my black water tank using the rinse system my water heater started to leake from the pressure reale valve. Once I turned off the water heater and continued to flush the black water tank the leak stopped. Is this normal?
We have used the TT only three times since we purchaced it 5 weeks ago. I'm still trying to figure all the systems out.
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Old 07-21-2013, 06:51 PM   #2
hankpage
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cjac32 View Post
Is this normal?
It is not normal but it does not mean that anything is wrong. That valve is a T&P valve (temperature & pressure) and will open if either preset is reached. The tank is designed to operate with an air space in the top of the tank for expansion. If this air space is not there the expanding water has to go somewhere and hopefully out the T&P valve. If you manually opened that valve to make the tank fill faster (or for any other reason like to see if the tank was full) you released that air pocket then the valve may leak occasionally. If you feel the valve is faulty or it starts to leak too often it is a standard hardware item and there is no need to pay RV dealer prices. Remove the old one and match it at a plumbing supply or "Home" store. Hope this helps, Hank
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Old 07-21-2013, 07:23 PM   #3
cjac32
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Thanks for the quick responce. I'll keep an eye on it and if it gets worse replace it like you said.
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Old 07-31-2013, 11:49 AM   #4
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I have never seen a hot water tank with an "air" pocket for expansion. Unless there is a bladder inside the tank (that would reduce capacity), the tank is completly full. Any air in the system will work its way to the highest point and the tank is not the high point. If your thermostat is set too high, the tank will overheat, causing high pressure. You said you "turned off the heater" and it stopped which strongly points to overheating/excessive pressure. Since you noticed it while flushing your black water tank, it may have been dripping all along and you didn't noticed it till you were standing close to it.

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Old 07-31-2013, 01:07 PM   #5
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PND,

I refer you to page 17 of the Suburban Water Heater Installation and Operation Guide. (http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/operating/atwood1.pdf)

There is an air pocket in the water heater tank. The air pocket acts as an accumulator within the tank, when it diminishes in size, the water heater has a potential to overpressurize and the relief valve may leak. Please note the procedure listed in the Owner's Manual for re-establishing the air pocket.

Your theory, although it sounds good on paper, won't hold water (or air) on RV water heaters.....
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Old 08-05-2013, 08:46 AM   #6
cjac32
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Thanks JRTJH for the operation guide. I was camping last weekend and the heater was still weeping. Before we leave on our next trip I'll try to reset the air pocket. It's nice to know that the water heater is working properly.
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Old 08-06-2013, 02:52 PM   #7
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Can I jump in here and ask a couple of questions concerning the water heater? First what is this rinse system you speak of? and second, I have notes here from the previous owner that says I'm supposed to put water into the hot water heater before use. So, I'm assuming it doesn't fill itself when the water is hooked up?

You'll have to forgive me, we just got our Passport 238ML this weekend and haven't used it yet.

Thanks,
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Old 08-06-2013, 03:05 PM   #8
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If the previous owner winterized the RV properly, there would be no water in the HW tank. So when the RV is dewinterized, the HW tank needs to be filled with water before you try to light it. If there is no water in it, then you will burn out the element or fry your tank.

There will be a shut off valve just behind the HW tank that needs to be turned to allow the water to flow back into the tank when dewinterizing. When winterizing, the valve would have been turned to the shut off position to prevent the "antifreeze" or pink stuff to flow into the tank.

Just make sure that the HW tank is filled BEFORE you try to light it - either by electricity or by propane.
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