Dry camping hot water not working

[Learnites]

I have a new 2015 keystone Fuzion 371 and I took it dry camping for the first time. I filled up the water tank halfway at the campground fill station and with water pressure from the city water opened up all of my faucets to fill the hot water tank and to remove all the air from the lines. I then turned on my hot water heater and put the camper our site.

There is no hot water pressure from any of the faucets unless I open up a cold water tap somewhere in the system and even then the flow is minimal. Example, if the hot water is on in the shower, no water will flow from the shower head unless the sink cold water faucet is opened at least halfway.
I have the same problem with all of the hot water faucets.


What am I missing?
Thanks

[Javi]

Be my guess that the winterizing bypass on the back of the water heater is not in the proper position or the check valve is bad.

[Learnites]

Must be the check valve, the water flows freely when the bypass valve is placed in the bypass position (just cold water)

[chuckster57]

Originally Posted by Learnites

Must be the check valve, the water flows freely when the bypass valve is placed in the bypass position (just cold water)

The bypass valve diverts flow from the tank inlet to the tank outlet. You wont notice any flow loss, but the water won't be hot. Check valve failure is extremely rare.

[Learnites]

I know the bypass valve is working, What could it be?? What could stop the flow of hot water? The problem is still there when connected to city water.

[Javi]

Originally Posted by Learnites

I know the bypass valve is working, What could it be?? What could stop the flow of hot water? The problem is still there when connected to city water.

There is nothing else... Water goes in, water comes out.. If bypass is not in correct position water don't go in... water don't come out..

Unless someone has installed a different bypass system on the back of the water heater or a shut-off valve in-line after the tank

[Learnites]

I know, I am going to rip it apart tomorrow after talking to the manufacturer. Closest dealer is 70 miles away. Worked fine last time we took it out. Water tank is full and hot. With the bypass set to ON, cold water circulates around the hot water tank and water flows normally from the hot water tap. With it set to OFF, no hot water comes from the tank or faucet unless you crack open a cold water faucet, and even then you just get some warm water.

I am stumped.

[JRTJH]

It sounds like you may have an internal failure in the bypass valve. It closes fully (to allow bypassing the HWH) but it only opens part way, not enough to provide the hot water you need at a sufficient flow rate.

If the check valve were failing, you'd get cold water backflowing into the HWH, so it's probably not the issue since you are saying that you do get hot water when you turn on an adjacent cold faucet.

Just a hunch, here's hoping you can figure it out.

Good Luck

[Learnites]

Solved... The brass backflow check valve located on the top of the hot water tank was apart inside the fitting. (the plastic plunger separated from the spring and keeper) When the tank filled completely and the hot water tap opened, the plunger would block the flow of water out of the tank. Keystone wouldn't talk to the owner, the dealer thought it was a pinched line or a bad valve.
Well it was a bad valve but they couldn't tell me there was on on the top of the water tank. I called the hot water tank manufacturer and they said many manufacturers often place a check valve on the out of the tank to prevent back flow. He said they fail quite often. He was right.

[chuckster57]

Good to hear your in hot water!!