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billtrew · 02-13-2013, 08:51 AM

We are new owners of a 2004 37C Pace Arrow. We just made our first short trip to get accustomed to the unit. No major problems, but I couldn’t get ‘hot’ hot water. With gas it got warm, but I don’t know how to turn up the temperature. With electric running all night, zilch. Is there anything that I should look for before I take it in for service?

Bruce C · 02-13-2013, 09:09 AM

You may have the bi-pass valve closed. It would have been closed for winterizing the water system. My valve is in the compartment next to the water heater. There is no turning up the temp. on your water heater, it has a thermostat control sensor on the front of your water heater. If the water heater is empty from winterizing you could loose your electric heating element in a very short period of time. Always make sure the water heater is full of water and all the air is out before starting your water heater. My guess is bi-pass valve. Check your manuals for your location. Hopefully your electrode is fine.

pcurt23 · 02-13-2013, 03:24 PM

Is it an Atwwod XT ? If the bypass is in the correct position then check the temp of the water by touching the relief valve on the heater itself. If the relief valve is hot then your mixing valve is clogged. The mixing valve is on the rear of the heater and can be unscrewed and cleaned out. I access the rear of my heater from inside the closet. Of course the water heater needs to be cool and drained for this repair. First time takes a while the second time takes 30 min.

billtrew · 02-14-2013, 05:31 PM

Thanks all for the information. If it's not raining tomorrow, maybe I can get out and check this out. Oh, and yes it is an atwood heater. I'm fairly sure the bypass value was set to normal, if not I don't think the water heater would have worked under gas. Although, it didn't get really hot.

336muffin · 02-14-2013, 05:42 PM

billtrew, Welcome to the forum. Check the outside shower valves, if they are open your inside hot water will not work correctly. Make sure they are closed, these should be in your wet bay with a kitchen sprayer hose.

wepinegar · 02-15-2013, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 336muffin

billtrew, Welcome to the forum. Check the outside shower valves, if they are open your inside hot water will not work correctly. Make sure they are closed, these should be in your wet bay with a kitchen sprayer hose.

This is exactly what happened to me on my way to South Carolina last week - the hot water came and went - new motorhome that I had tried out for a short time last fall and then had winterized and stored - when I was far enough south (of Minnesota) to add water I thought I had found and closed all the valves. I knew the water was hot in the tank but not when it got to the tap. It was the valves in the outside shower. I called the dealer - described the symptoms & that fixed it!

Tha_Rooster · 02-15-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcurt23

Is it an Atwwod XT ? If the bypass is in the correct position then check the temp of the water by touching the relief valve on the heater itself. If the relief valve is hot then your mixing valve is clogged. The mixing valve is on the rear of the heater and can be unscrewed and cleaned out. I access the rear of my heater from inside the closet. Of course the water heater needs to be cool and drained for this repair. First time takes a while the second time takes 30 min.

My mixing valve was a pain in the butt. I made mine adjustable took about 2 seconds to get te glue out of the handle screw and grind out the inside of the handle. Also I would replace the hoses with braided ones while you have it out or you will be made when the old ones leak. Nothing better than a good hot shower.