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Old 05-17-2022, 02:35 PM   #1
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2018 19' Flying Cloud
Eugene , Oregon
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Hot Water Heater Release Valve Question

Sorry to ask such a basic question so please excuse my ignorance.
I drained the water heater, changed the plug ... filled the tank, then fired up the heater. Alll worked fine. No leaks, hot water was present. Great.
The next day out of curiosity I flipped the how water release valve (after it had cooled) and water flowed out. Flipped up to the middle ... water runs and runs and runs. It turns off when flipped all the way up, or all the way down. Held in the middle position, water keeps coming out. Is that normal? If not, what is happening?
Again, sorry for such a basic newbie question.
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Old 05-17-2022, 02:53 PM   #2
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I think you are referring to the pressure relief valve and the lever needs to be positioned down. It's the safety mechanism in case the tank over heats and builds up too much pressure. The water heater in your house also has one for the same purpose.
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Old 05-17-2022, 03:16 PM   #3
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Yes … the pressure release valve. Thank you. I usually leave it down. Should water be coming out of it -when cooled- and I flip it up to the middle position?
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Old 05-17-2022, 03:24 PM   #4
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Excess pressure in the tank causes the valve to open a small amount to relieve the pressure. It does not open to the full open positionswhen relieving the pressure. After the pressure returns to normal, the valve closed by itsel. What you are seeing is normal. It is good practice to open and check the valve opening once a year, to confirm it is not stuck. Unless you are not connected to city water, and the water pump is off, the valve will flow water when opened until the residual pressure in the system returns to zero. If on city water, or pump is turned on, the water will continue to flow until the valve is closed.
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Old 05-17-2022, 03:49 PM   #5
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That is helpful. Thank you.
So if I am understanding this correctly, if I am NOT connected to city water, and the pump is NOT on, the valve will flow water until the pressure returns to zero.

So I should I let the water flow (when lever is flipped up …. Midway level, not completely up or down) until it stops? That it stops is a good thing, right ?… When it stops then residual pressure is zero … at that’s what I want?
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Old 05-17-2022, 04:06 PM   #6
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I flipped it with NO pump on and the water emptied out. Guess all is equalized now.

Thanks so much for your help and your patience. You were a great help.
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Old 05-17-2022, 04:07 PM   #7
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1988 32' Excella
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tjwoods1 View Post
That is helpful. Thank you.
So if I am understanding this correctly, if I am NOT connected to city water, and the pump is NOT on, the valve will flow water until the pressure returns to zero.

So I should I let the water flow (when lever is flipped up …. Midway level, not completely up or down) until it stops? That it stops is a good thing, right ?… When it stops then residual pressure is zero … at that’s what I want?
You can do that. I do normally release the pressure when not using the trailer for a couple days. Normally I just open a faucet though, it's easier then going to the water heater pressure relief valve.

Actually there is an advantage to using the water heater pressure relief valve. Letting it flow until after water stops flowing can also restore the required air pocket in the water heater (may need to also open a faucet or leave it open a while). So I do it that way sometimes.
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Old 05-18-2022, 09:30 AM   #8
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Simple answer
Yes flip it down to close
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Old 08-28-2022, 07:29 PM   #9
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3/4" or 1/2" Hotwater Pressure relief valve?

Quick question:

We have a 2017 25' FC with. The Water Heater is a 6 Gallon Atwood GE9EXT Airstream - 690602

I would like to replace it while flushing my hot water heater and want to have the correct part.


Does anybody know if the correct size of the Pressure relief valve is 3/4" or 1/2" ? Amazon lists two sizes

Atwood (90028) 3/4" Relief Valve
https://www.amazon.com/Atwood-90028-...%2C141&sr=1-18

1/2" Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve
https://www.amazon.com/10423-Tempera...e%2C139&sr=1-3
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Old 08-28-2022, 08:01 PM   #10
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Mine is 1/2", I think the new ones are also. See if the threads are the same size as the 1/2" drain plug. Note 1/2" pipe thread is the size of threads on outside of 1/2" inside diameter pipe, so measure close to 3/4".
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Old 08-28-2022, 08:58 PM   #11
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tjwoods1, I think you are over thinking this. If you open the pressure relief valve the water will come out. It will continue to come out until the tank drains to the level of the prv. There is no reason to open and close this all the time. I will open mine in the fall when I winterize. It helps the water exit the hw tank when the plug is removed. I close it then. I will open it in the spring just to make sure it is working and then it remains closed the rest of the season.
If you need to replace a prv, you can get one almost anywhere. No need to order an Airstream specific part that fits into a very generic hot water tank.
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Old 08-28-2022, 09:00 PM   #12
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What you never want to do is flip the pressure relief lever when the water is hot.
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