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k9jackie · 03-23-2015, 12:29 PM

#1 I am driveway camping and we hooked up the city water but I don't know how to get the hot water working. It runs really slowly out of the hot water side.

#2 my grey water tank says it is already 1/3 full after running the faucets to flush the antifreeze. I wanted to drain the grey water a little but nothing was coming out.

#3 I turned on the tank heaters. Do I leave them on all the time or only at night when it is 30 degrees? It is currently 45-55 during the days here.

gmillerok1 · 03-23-2015, 12:50 PM

1. Regarding low-flowing hot water, check the red valve on the hot water tank. This is a by-pass valve that is used when winterizing so you don't fill up the hot water tank with anti-freeze if that's what you use. It may not be fully open. To access it, open the back, and pull the black carpet off the right side under the couch. You should be able to see and access the valve. If that doesn't do it, take it to a dealer. There is no other reason for slow flowing water that I can think of.

2. The gauges are not that accurate. It is between a bit more than empty and 1/3 when it registers 1/3 full. It is likely empty or almost. Don't worry about it if you have emptied the tank until it runs out of fluid (or mostly does-mine never runs out completely because the pump is higher than the 3" hose).

3. You don't need to turn on the tank heaters unless it is very cold and below well below freezing. It would have to get much colder than 32F for and extended time before you would have to worry about it. More troubling is the macerator. It will hold water and freeze if cold long enough and damage it. No easy cure for that other than empty the hose (I used anti-freeze and it still froze because of the amount of water left in the hose to the macerator that could never be drained completely. If you keep the cab warmer than freezing, you don't have to worry about the internal plumbing (and keep the hot water tank full).

4. If it will be below freezing a long time, unhook the city water to keep the hose and connections from freezing as well.

The dealer should have gone over these basic things, but most don't bother.

Ron_CA · 03-23-2015, 01:18 PM

You need to turn your water pump on. Middle switch over sink. Also need to turn the hot water heater on in the control cabinet. Turn the button with the flame on it to on, also make sure your propane is turned on. Unless you are hooked up to shore power then turn the hot water switch to electric mode.

gmillerok1 · 03-23-2015, 01:40 PM

If he's on city water, he wouldn't use the water pump.

As for the hot water tank, I usually use both propane and electric. Heats up twice as fast.

k9jackie · 03-25-2015, 01:07 PM

I'm not able to find the bypass valve... When I lifted all of the carpet, all I saw was the black box where all the fuses are housed.

Protagonist · 03-25-2015, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k9jackie

I'm not able to find the bypass valve... When I lifted all of the carpet, all I saw was the black box where all the fuses are housed.

The bypass valve on an Interstate is under the sofa, on the driver's side, just ahead of the water heater and a bit to the right. I believe gmillerok1 just had a senior moment when he said the right side.

UKDUDE · 03-25-2015, 07:57 PM

Another suggestion: there may be air in the water system, particularly if it's never been used before. And this effects the hot system and water heater more than the cold. To ensure air is removed, plug in shore water, and open one tap at a time (hot and cold) until the water stops spluttering from the tap. Do this for all taps and the toilet.
Clearly it's not a good idea to turn on the water heater if there's a chance it has only air in there!
Then see if you get a better flow from the hot taps.

Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

Sbb · 03-25-2015, 08:15 PM

I am in Denville and would offer to come by, but I have a trailer, not an Interstate. Pm me if you want me to come down. Is the anode back in hot water?

Boxster1971 · 03-25-2015, 08:17 PM

There is no anode in the water heaters used in the newer Interstates.

gmillerok1 · 03-25-2015, 09:20 PM

I said right? I must have been facing it from the front. From the back, it's is indeed on the left. It is on the street side-is that better?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

The bypass valve on an Interstate is under the sofa, on the driver's side, just ahead of the water heater and a bit to the right. I believe gmillerok1 just had a senior moment when he said the right side.