Community Forums

jlabit · 05-20-2014, 07:12 PM

We recently returned from a trip to Georgia and to Smoky Mountain National Park. Everything worked great on my coach except for one issue. While taking a shower, every shower was lukewarm, at best. I had both the electrical and propane water heating systems turned on. I looked at the on-line manual for my Thor Hurricane, but I see nothing about water temperature adjustments like I have on my home water heater. I know that coach water heaters are small. However, even the first hot water coming out of the shower is lukewarm. Is this normal? Thanks.

**NLOVNIT** · 05-20-2014, 07:15 PM

Do you have an outside faucet? If so, make sure the handles are completely shut off, not just the sprayer turned off. Having those handles on will dilute your hot water....ask me how I know.

L-

319DSF · 05-20-2014, 07:20 PM

Do you have hotter water to other faucets?

focker · 05-20-2014, 07:34 PM

I had the same problem with my Thor (Damon) Outlaw. If it doesn't happen to be the problem mentioned above I would bet it is the center valve in the hot water bypass loop. Under the kitchen sink there is a panel I had to remove and the valve was turned the wrong way.
Here is a link to a photo of what to look for: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f120/i-lo...ml#post1374958

donhoward49 · 05-21-2014, 06:02 AM

The ideas above will Probably correct your problem, You might also flush out the tank. Camping World has a hose attachment "swizzle Stick" to flush out the bottom of the tank.. some water stays in their when you drain it.

jlabit · 05-21-2014, 11:52 AM

Thanks for all your replies. The water is the same temperature at all faucets. I will take a look at the things you mentioned above. Thanks again.

SeattlePirat · 05-22-2014, 10:07 PM

Your water heater heating element could be the problem. How long has it been since you flushed your water heater? The heater element could be coated with mineral deposits and be less effective. Worth a look. Unless its a brand new rv I doubt the mxiing circuits are the issue.

focker · 05-28-2014, 07:31 PM

Were you able to solve this?

**TonyDi** · 05-28-2014, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeattlePirat

Your water heater heating element could be the problem. How long has it been since you flushed your water heater? The heater element could be coated with mineral deposits and be less effective. Worth a look. Unless its a brand new rv I doubt the mxiing circuits are the issue.

If the heating element was coated and not functioning well, that would not explain why it won't heat on propane. IMO it is a mixing prob.

koda59 · 05-29-2014, 07:28 AM

It sounds like your thermostat on your hot water heater is going bad.

Grandpere · 05-29-2014, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by focker

I had the same problem with my Thor (Damon) Outlaw. If it doesn't happen to be the problem mentioned above I would bet it is the center valve in the hot water bypass loop. Under the kitchen sink there is a panel I had to remove and the valve was turned the wrong way.
Here is a link to a photo of what to look for: http://www.irv2.com/forums/f120/i-lo...ml#post1374958

This was the problem with mine, the automatic valve went bad so replaced it with a manual valve, now I have hot water at all places.

SeattlePirat · 05-29-2014, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyDi

If the heating element was coated and not functioning well, that would not explain why it won't heat on propane. IMO it is a mixing prob.

True that...the element what was I thinking?

How about carefully pressing the relieve valve and testing the heat of the water comming out? If you get water out then it should be hot, if not, time to check something dealing with the water heater. IF hot the only thing left is the mixing circuit.

SeattlePirat · 05-29-2014, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koda59

It sounds like your thermostat on your hot water heater is going bad.

Seems like there are two, one for propane and one for 110v.

wa8yxm · 05-29-2014, 09:27 AM

Two common issues with RV water heaters.. (Well 3 but one is a "B")

1A: Showers often have cut off valves in them so you can wet down, turn off without loosing your "Settings" soap up, then hose down again.. Leaving the mixing valves open with the cut off vavle closed gets you warm water all through the coach

1B: If you have a 3-valve bypass system, leaving the bypass open

2: the tank is small and the recovery not as fast as I'd like.

So. if you do NOT use that cut off vavle, it gets cool very fast, and what you are seeing is all the hotter it can make it, come back in 30 mnutes to an hour and it's hot again.