|
03-21-2021, 07:34 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Moreno Valley, Ca
Posts: 113
|
Water heater question...
We have the standard 6 gallon water heater in our new Cougar and it now seems like we run out of hot water a lot quicker than when we had our Hideout. Same shower head as before. Just wondering if anyone has swapped out the 6 gallon for a 10 gallon heater. Just trying to determine if it's possible. Thanks
|
|
|
03-21-2021, 07:42 AM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,317
|
You would need to make the opening for the water heater bigger. Are you using LP AND AC when taking a shower? When was the last time you cleaned out the tank?
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
|
|
|
03-21-2021, 09:11 AM
|
#3
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Blueswede
We have the standard 6 gallon water heater in our new Cougar and it now seems like we run out of hot water a lot quicker than when we had our Hideout. Same shower head as before. Just wondering if anyone has swapped out the 6 gallon for a 10 gallon heater. Just trying to determine if it's possible. Thanks
|
Can you elaborate on "a lot quicker"? Have you checked that the WH bypass valve is fully closed? Checked the outside shower to make sure it's not turned on at the valves and the hangle ism off? Has this been an issue from day one with no change in how you are using it? I know that's a lot of questions but logically if all things are equal and other possible causes are eliminated then I would be taking that new camper in for warrenty work on the water heater.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
03-22-2021, 04:36 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Moreno Valley, Ca
Posts: 113
|
By quicker I mean after about 5 minutes. We’re pretty mindful about closing the shower head in between washing hair, etc. Just seems like we run out of hot water quicker. My question was more about anyone’s experience with installing a larger capacity water heater, or even going tankless.
We switched over to running it on both gas and electric and that seemed to help. The 5th wheel is only 2 months old so I don’t think the tank needs to be cleaned/flushed just yet.
__________________
2021 Keystone Cougar 368MBI
2011 Ford F-450 Super Duty Diesel
|
|
|
03-22-2021, 05:31 AM
|
#5
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,979
|
Have you checked the water temperature at the hot water faucet closest to the water heater? This is "out there and seldom happens" but you could have a water heater thermostat relay that is not working properly.
The water at the faucet should be around 130F. If it's close, the thermostat is OK, if it's "off by more than 10 or so degrees, the thermostat might be causing the water heater to shut off before it reaches the correct temperature. That would make the "blended water in the shower" cooler than normal and cause the hot water to run out faster than it should.
Another possible "unicorn" is the water pump has a greater "flow rate" than your old trailer. The difference between 3.2 GPM and 2.2 GPM isn't really noticeable in a "trickle type shower head" that seldom does more than dribble on you when in use. So, you may be using 1/3 more GPM than you did with the old trailer.
The Suburban and Atwood water heaters "should" provide about 23 gallons during the first hour of use. That's the original 6 gallons and the recovery which is rated at 17 GPH (total 6+17=23). In a showerhead that flows 3.2 GPM, that means a 7 minute shower (at full "unblended" water flow). Mixed "half cold/half hot" you should be able to get close to 13-15 minutes of "comfortable water" if you're starting with a full tank of hot water at maximum temperature....
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
03-22-2021, 05:48 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,007
|
Also if your RV has an outside rinse station make sure the hot and cold water valves are closed otherwise you will never get real hot water to the inside shower
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|