The dreaded water heater check valves

[HotMech]

Well, I had the affliction. Pulled the coach out of storage, for the first time since Jan, jeez. filled the fresh water tank with H2O, and what do you know, the hot water tank wouldn't fill. So off to the local Rv parts place, and orderd the Camco valves, as read about here in the forums.

Not too hard to change, given that it's a Brave.

had to pull the side panel in the front compartment next to the water heater.

Got it apart and looked at the damage. found all the pieces and snaped it all back together. Hmmm. Now for the "lesson learned".

I think I may have gotten this affliction, from blowing out the water system last season end.

it all worked fine, last year, with no problem.
It only showed a problem this year after the winterization.

I was in a hurry, cuz it was still fullof water and it was goint to freeze that night. So, I just hooked up my air hose and when to town.

110 psi of air might have an effect on those pesky valves.

My rig is an 02 an this is the first trouble I have had with the check valves. I always use my park water pressure regulator, when I blow out the lines, but as I said, I was in a big hurry, and for some reason I couldn't find it.

Anyway, what I am eluding to is, maybe blowing these things out with too much pressure is the factor here. Just a thought.

Anyway, it's done and workes fine. Souldn't happen again, in the near future anyway.
Kerry

[wa8yxm]

Suggestion.. IF you use the dry method for winterizing (Blowing out the system) then the next time you have check valve issues gut the stupid things and replace them with a printed card, hooked to your bypass valve (Assuming you have a single bypass valve) that Print the card and laminate it for water proofing, It should say you have removed the check valves, winterize by the DRY method only

That is if you do not have a 3-valve bypass system.. If you have a 3-valve bypass system there is now reason to have check valves... . but they put 'em in anyway

OPTION 2

Replace the outlet check valve with a quarter turn (Ball) valve (If you do not already have one there) this makes a one valve, into a 2-valve, Again print up the card with winterizing directions and laminate it and put it next to the single valve

I used dry method on this last time and had no problems.

[HotMech]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm Suggestion.. IF you use the dry method for winterizing (Blowing out the system) then the next time you have check valve issues gut the stupid things and replace them with a printed card, hooked to your bypass valve (Assuming you have a single bypass valve) that Print the card and laminate it for water proofing, It should say you have removed the check valves, winterize by the DRY method only That is if you do not have a 3-valve bypass system.. If you have a 3-valve bypass system there is now reason to have check valves... . but they put 'em in anyway OPTION 2 Replace the outlet check valve with a quarter turn (Ball) valve (If you do not already have one there) this makes a one valve, into a 2-valve, Again print up the card with winterizing directions and laminate it and put it next to the single valve I used dry method on this last time and had no problems.

I must assume that you did not really read my post.
Kerry