RV hot water heater

[Fentonite]

I'm definitely interested in the progress of this project, please keep us posted.

I started posting in the Lastest Purchase thread, but figured I’d move updates here. The old RV has more right with it than wrong (so far), but not without projects. I’ve replaced the house a/c and tires already. I’m still pretty thrilled that the propane fridge and furnace work. I thought that the hot water heater only had a leaking connection, but the leak persisted after I replaced the connector, so I removed the entire tank/heater today. The hot water tank was apparently allowed to freeze while full, and split like a melon. I’ll be replacing the unit, and probably some of the plumbing with Sharkbite material, anticipating future repairs.


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[Great-Kazoo]

That tank is worth a few $$ in scrap.

[Fentonite]

That tank is worth a few $$ in scrap.

I was gonna just put it in the alley for the scrappers, but maybe now I’ll take it to the recycler. Where should I send your commission?

[Irving]

Whoa, that's the baddest freeze break I've ever seen.

Kazoo's commission will be less than the postage.

[fairrpe86]

Yeah, that is a good freeze break! Mine was only a few inches near a welded bung, my own fault on that one. First year I had my 5th wheel, I didn't know I needed to pull the plug and drain the thing...oops!

[Colorado Osprey]

When you go to replace it for not much more money you can install an on demand water heater for campers. The two models you can buy are Suburban Nautilus or the Atwood On Demand. Unlimited hot water. Other units are available but have to be dealer installed like Truma AquaGo. The Truma is the #1 water heater for campers in Europe. The Atwood On Demand is a popular factory option in newer campers followed closely by the Suburban Nautilus. The Nautilus is the easiest to convert from any make or model.

[BPTactical]

When you go to replace it for not much more money you can install an on demand water heater for campers. The two models you can buy are Suburban Nautilus or the Atwood On Demand. Unlimited hot water. Other units are available but have to be dealer installed like Truma AquaGo. The Truma is the #1 water heater for campers in Europe. The Atwood On Demand is a popular factory option in newer campers followed closely by the Suburban Nautilus. The Nautilus is the easiest to convert from any make or model.

Damn, just checked those out and your right, really not much more than a standard RV water heater. If mine ever craps out that is the direction I will go.

Enjoying the day re caulking all the roof fixtures / seams on mine today.
Good times.

[brutal]

Yeah, that is a good freeze break! Mine was only a few inches near a welded bung, my own fault on that one. First year I had my 5th wheel, I didn't know I needed to pull the plug and drain the thing...oops!

Friend had an rv storage/repair business. that's pretty much the MO for water heater splits.

[Fentonite]

When you go to replace it for not much more money you can install an on demand water heater for campers. The two models you can buy are Suburban Nautilus or the Atwood On Demand. Unlimited hot water. Other units are available but have to be dealer installed like Truma AquaGo. The Truma is the #1 water heater for campers in Europe. The Atwood On Demand is a popular factory option in newer campers followed closely by the Suburban Nautilus. The Nautilus is the easiest to convert from any make or model.



Of course. I already ordered the original (antiquated) replacement. This is pretty typical for me - I jump into a project (not knowing what I don’t know), then get good advice on how to do something right, but after I’ve already paid for or done it in a dumber fashion. Oh well, hopefully this will still be a simple chore, that functions ok.

Striving for mediocrity.

[Fentonite]

Got it finished today, running SharkBite plumbing at the heater. I was thinking I’d re-plumb the whole thing with PEX and Sharkbite, but my motivation waned, and I decided not to fix what isn’t broken yet. No leaks, and the water is hot! Good enough for now.
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Next, to replace the busted fender skirt
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[Colorado Osprey]

where is your by-pass so you can winterize it?

[Bailey Guns]

Check out the on-demand fender skirts...

[Coffee]

Nice work on the water heater, BTW.

[Fentonite]

where is your by-pass so you can winterize it?

There was no bypass on the original plumbing, not even a valve (so I added a valve at the inlet to the water heater tank). There are drain valves at the low point of the hot and cold lines, and a petcock to drain the fresh water tank. I haven’t drained the black tank yet. There’s no grey tank on this rig. I figure I’ll just drain the system before it freezes.

[brutal]

There was no bypass on the original plumbing, not even a valve (so I added a valve at the inlet to the water heater tank). There are drain valves at the low point of the hot and cold lines, and a petcock to drain the fresh water tank. I haven’t drained the black tank yet. There’s no grey tank on this rig. I figure I’ll just drain the system before it freezes.

Drain, blow out with 40-50 PSI air and introduce RV antifreeze...and blow again while working any valves, faucets, etc. Antifreeze in the p-traps too.

Even a blown out system can retain moisture in the valves and freeze.

15 years without an incident doing it that way. Maybe it's overkill, maybe not?

[Fentonite]

Drain, blow out with 40-50 PSI air and introduce RV antifreeze...and blow again while working any valves, faucets, etc. Antifreeze in the p-traps too.

Even a blown out system can retain moisture in the valves and freeze.

15 years without an incident doing it that way. Maybe it's overkill, maybe not?

I’ll take that advice. [Beer]

[brutal]

I’ll take that advice. [Beer]

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Brass-Connect-Aids-Removal-36143/dp/B002XL2IEA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536807445&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+blowout+adapter

Make sure you run your fresh water tank pump dry too... I have an advantage this year in that my new rig has a Nautilus panel that can suck water from a jug. [Beer]

[ChickNorris]

I prefer to leave all valves @ half open, quarter turn after a system has been blown. Keeps 'em from cracking if moisture freezes in the nooks.

[Fentonite]

I just ordered that blowout adapter, as well as a new city-water inlet (the check valve is weeping a little). Thanks Brutal. And Chick - yours sounds like good advice too, thanks.

Now if only I could find those on-demand fender skirts Bailey recommended...

[Colorado Osprey]

On Demand Fender Skirts
http://www.icondirect.com/lookup-our-skirts/

Despite the link name it is not a naughty link

[brutal]

On Demand Fender Skirts
http://www.icondirect.com/lookup-our-skirts/

Despite the link name it is not a naughty link

I've always gotten mine on Amazon.

I just checked the last set I ordered and AZ is $38 cheaper for a tandem ICON FS1772 that fit my old Cougar.

However, that must be a popular skirt, and AZ only carries a few types. probably a bunch of overstock. The other ICON on AZ are no better deal than direct - and they are likely just drop shipping form ICON.

[Fentonite]

When you go to replace it for not much more money you can install an on demand water heater ....


Check out the on-demand fender skirts...

[Coffee]



...Now if only I could find those on-demand fender skirts Bailey recommended...


On Demand Fender Skirts
http://www.icondirect.com/lookup-our-skirts/

Despite the link name it is not a naughty link


I've always gotten mine on Amazon.

I just checked the last set I ordered and AZ is $38 cheaper for a tandem ICON FS1772 that fit my old Cougar.

However, that must be a popular skirt, and AZ only carries a few types. probably a bunch of overstock. The other ICON on AZ are no better deal than direct - and they are likely just drop shipping form ICON.

Ok, my poor attempt at humor failed. I was just playing on Bailey’s joke about the on-demand fender skirts (who I think was playing off the recommendation for the on-demand water heater). There’s a reason people don’t accuse me of being funny. I already found a fender skirt that should fit close enough (supposedly specific to this RV, but not so much). I do appreciate yall’s help and suggestions! (I found the part at RVShop.com).

[Colorado Osprey]

One of the cheaper online places for rv parts if amazon doesn't not have it is ppl motorhomes website. On a number of occasions their pricing is cheaper than wholesale prices of the same products.
https://www.pplmotorhomes.com/rv-parts-rv-accessories
They don't list fender skirts but on items like water heaters they are usually a good deal

[Fentonite]

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Not perfect, but good enough for the likes of me.

[brutal]

76208

Not perfect, but good enough for the likes of me.

Like

[Fentonite]

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Thanks!