Water warm, not hot.

[curnes]

Greetings,
Monday we purchased a 2000 19' Bambi and all systems worked beautifully with one exception. We were hooked to shore power and city water and turned on the gas water heater. The light went on briefly, then out and I could hear the water heater fire up. In an hour or two we turned on the hot water, and got a blast of hot water, that immeadiately turned and stayed luke warm. This same scenario for the the two days we camped. I'm not sure if the heater is malfunctioning or if we are getting some cold water mixed in inadvertently. The valves that are in the hatch and next to the water heater are set as follows:
1. top and bottom valves are in the open position, parralel with pipes,
2. one in the middle is in the closed position, perpendicular to the pipe.

questions:
1 Is there another location for valves that I need to check?
2 Is there a test procedure I can go through before bringing it to my local AS guys?

Thanks,
Cameron

[TinTin]

Your water heater water line valves are in the correct position for normal operation.

Perhaps a thermostat failure? Try searching online for ways to troubleshoot and if necessary replace your thermostat.

[Wayward]

What you describe certainly does sound like the bypass valve (the center one) is partially open. It sounds like you have it shut however.

There is some possibility that the valve is leaking or not completely closed. You could test it by leaving the cold water input valve open, leaving the center bypass valve off, but shutting off the hot water output valve. In this configuration, you should get no pressure at all from a hot water tap in the Airstream. If you do, the center bypass valve is leaking.



Another possibility is sludge build up in the bottom of the tank, slowing heat transfer from the bottom of the tank (where the flame is), to the water. This can cause the tank to get very hot but not the water so much. There is a plug in the bottom of the tank. You could pull it and see what comes out.

I would try those first and then look at the thermostat.

[curnes]

Tin Tin, Wayward- you guys rock. I will drain the tank, and try the valve test. This is just what I was looking for. Cameron

[mocus]

Stick with these guys (gals) on the forum...they will keep ya pointed in the right direction.

[Moflash]

Did you bleed the air out of the tank?
Do it with water pump on and water heater off.
Make sure it has time to cool down first then lift pressure relief handle on hot water tank.Let out the air until water flows out.

[daveswenson]

Originally Posted by Moflash

Did you bleed the air out of the tank?
Do it with water pump on and water heater off.
Make sure it has time to cool down first then lift pressure relief handle on hot water tank.Let out the air until water flows out.

Actually you should fill the HW tank with the pressure relief closed. You want some headspace in the tank.

[curnes]

Thanks again for all the replies. I drained the tank and the water was very clean. I then checked the valves and found the middle valve was not closed all the way, so hand tightened it and presto, everything is copacetic. Hot water. Man, these airstreams are really cool.

[Panama Red]

You had me thinking hard on this one... It was like, "HOW could there not be at least six gallons of hot water in there?" Glad you found it. And, yeah, these things a pretty stinking cool! Enjoy!

-Red