Community Forums

magpiemini · 07-13-2010, 06:56 PM

1985 Winnebago Cheiftan 27, Chevy 454ci

When driving the heat exchanger heats up the hot water tank nicely, good temp after driving 100 miles. Then when parked and I turn on the LP hot water heater, the hot water gets way too hot. How do I turn that down? I can't find any adjustments.

InPursuit · 07-13-2010, 10:42 PM

As I understand it, there is no adjustment on (all but the highest of the high end) RV water heaters

The "thermostat" device is really a high limit device that *should* shut off the gas when the PRE-SET temp is achieved (to keep you from scalding)

Sounds like yours isn't doing it's job and should be replaced...
but the new one won't be any more adjustable than this one.

magpiemini · 07-13-2010, 10:59 PM

Thanks. It does shut off but it is too hot.

NeilV · 07-14-2010, 04:26 AM

There is an adjustable stat that you can add. PPL is one vendor that I believe carries it.

Gary RVRoamer · 07-15-2010, 03:16 PM

Atwood makes a couple different fixed temp t-stats for their water heaters (temps from 120 to 140) and a variable one that fits several models. But I wonder if your fixed temp t-stat may be shorted closed. That would let the heater run until the ECO (Emergency Cut-off) t-stat opened, resulting in 160 degree water.

I'd pull the fixed t-stat and check it with a ohmmeter to see if it is shorted closed.

Rick Long · 07-15-2010, 03:59 PM

You only have 6 gallons of the precious VERY HOT water... VERY HOT, when mixed with cold will last much longer than Kinda Hot mixed with cold. You know it's VERY HOT so just be careful!!

ps
If you NEVER plan to take a shower in your motorhome, then by all means replace the thermostat with the adjustable ones from Camping World or PPL.

NeilV · 07-15-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Long

You only have 6 gallons of the precious VERY HOT water... VERY HOT, when mixed with cold will last much longer than Kinda Hot mixed with cold. You know it's VERY HOT so just be careful!!

ps
If you NEVER plan to take a shower in your motorhome, then by all means replace the thermostat with the adjustable ones from Camping World or PPL.

Rick,

Another option instead of lowering the temp of the water heater is to keep it high for capacity and then install a thermally regulated anti-scald valve on the outlet.

Ex: Scald Protection from PlumbingWorld.com

When I lived up North we did not have a hot water heater in our home and had a tankless water heater running of the forced hot water boiler that ran the basebord heat. The anti-scald mixing valve was the only reliable way to regulate the hot water so you didn't get scalded and still get enough heat to the radiators to keep the house warm.