Help! Hot water heater, will it work on city water, holding tank or both?

[Richard6959]

We are spending our first night in the CG. The hot water heater is on, we got a dribble of water out the facet and not it just gurgles. We are on city water, must I fill the holding tank or does it matter? Does all the water flow through the hot water heater?

[GaryWT]

Either way will fill the tank as long as the bypass is not on. Test the tank that it is full before turning it on or the electric element will burn out. I usually lift the pressure valve on the outside to be sure water is coming out then I know it is full and ready to be turned on. Good luck.

If you are on city water, you do not need to fill the fresh-water holding tank in order to have hot water. You DO want to make sure you have a full hot water tank BEFORE you turn the hot water heater on. To do that, run the hot water tap at any sink/faucet until you get a steady stream of water and no more air gurgles. If you are new to this and don't know if you have a hot water bypass, or whether it's on or not, then you should go outside of your trailer to the hot water heater access panel and open the drain valve. If no water comes out, then no water is in the tank and you can burn up your element.

Originally Posted by GaryWT

... I usually lift the pressure valve on the outside to be sure water is coming out then I know it is full and ready to be turned on.

This is a good tip. The relief valve is at the TOP of the tank so if water comes out it would have to be full.

[Richard6959]

Thanks everyone. I think I have it all figured out.