Community Forums

bgarner · 05-15-2017, 02:49 PM

So I am the proud owner of a 2018 Keystone Outback Super-Lite. The camper is equipped with the Suburban SW6DE water heater and I have been playing with it since I got the camper. Took it on a short shakedown trip and the first thing I found is that the hot water in the shower, or lack of. To take a shower you could only use the hot water valve and not mix with any cold water. Puzzled by this I got my digital thermometer and started taking measurements. Kitchen faucet 110°, outside faucet 110° and the shower 110°. Well that's just not going to work. Pulled the cover off where the heater is located and checked to make sure the by pass valve is closed. It is. Decide I may have a faulty thermostat I ordered one. Yes I know the camper is under warranty but the thermostat is like $16.00. Anyway I ordered a 140° thermostat and installed in place if the 130° thermostat that comes with it. Now all of my measurements are exactly 10° more at 120° instead of 110°. While I am sure I will need to mix the water in the shower now I would like to know why I am not getting 140° water out of the pipes. Is there any thing else I can check? I would prefer not to use up my supply of hot water by not being able to mix it.

Skip426 · 05-15-2017, 03:14 PM

First thing to check would be , the taps at an outside shower , if you have one .
If the taps are on and the flow is turned off at the shower head , you get blended water though the entire hot water system.
There is also the length of run to consider , 140 in the tank won't provide 140 at the taps due to the distance through the pipes ; but I guess there should be some difference between the tap sets due to that too.

Anyhow , DW complained water at the kitchen sink ( longest run) wasn't hot enough and I went through and put pipe wrap insulation on all hot piping.

Unplanned Tourist · 05-15-2017, 03:28 PM

Maybe try removing a little of the insulation over the thermostat, it might fool it into thinking more heat is required.

fpresto · 05-15-2017, 05:32 PM

+1 on the outside shower taps.

bgarner · 05-16-2017, 06:05 AM

Thanks for the replies. I have made sure none of the faucets are on outside or inside or inside. I am thinking it may be mixing in the valves. I am going to check the tempo of the water out of the pressure relief after it has shut off from heating. That should give me a good indication of the temperature of the water in the heater itself.

bgarner · 05-23-2017, 06:05 AM

So while I stated that the outside shower was not on in an earlier post I should have checked it again after the two suggestions.
Yes it was on, yes it made all the difference in the world. For those that do not understand the outside shower or faucet has a quick disconnect for a hose that goes the. So yes the valves can be on and not notice it.