The soot is telling you there’s improper combustion, which is leaving unburned fuel as it is venting. If you’d like to receive our blog posts directly in your inbox, click here to join our free email list. If the water heater refuses to ignite the problem may be simply a lack of gas at the burner. Once it’s out, inspect it for any corrosion and deposits. You can locate the water heater by looking for a panel with a vent/grill looking box on it on the outside of your unit. On the water … And wipe it down while checking for any loose debris or build-up. As hot water exits the heater, more cold water is pumped in. On go the electrical wires, plastic cap, and LP Gas Burner. The Electric Mode is essentially maintenance-free, and the LP Gas mode needs only an annual cleaning of the burner tube to remove rust flakes, spider webs, etc. Flush it out twice a year minimum. It’s a 1 1/2 inch socket with a very thin wall designed to get into the recessed nut. When dealing with your RV’s water heater, you should regularly check the exterior vent and remove any debris or mud from it to ensure that nothing ruins the air flow. Leave us a message below if you have any thoughts, memories or comments. Post navigation. Step 1 With features such as: Open the map, pick a park and hit the road! Step 1: When the water heater screeches or makes other high-pitched noises, it’s typically because of limescale and calcium buildup.Start by opening your water heater. Copyright © 2021 Love Your RV! Which is a good thing; it means it is doing its job. Remove this to expose the element and its electrical wiring. We’ve covered the most common failures of the RV water heater’s aluminum tank, now for the cure. It is our understanding that most (if not all) Atwood water heaters do not have an anode rod. You can watch an online tutorial if you’re able to find one for your specific model. There you have it, my yearly RV water heater maintenance routine. Reinstall your anode rod or drain plug once the water and debris have been drained. To remove the electric heater element, you are going to need a special wrench. Dust, cobwebs, and other bugs might be lurking inside! I’m not an RV Technician, just a dedicated RV enthusiast who likes to learn and perform my maintenance tasks. If this happens, you’ll more than likely need a new water heater. This also helps stop the anode from rusting in place like they can do if left in too long. Take what I say with a grain of salt. See the blog post and video. This is a minor step that can be done more frequently – maybe weekly or monthly, depending on how often your RV is used. At this point, I also like to pull out the electric heater element and have a look at it. Keep coming back for more RV tips and tricks. It is also important that a cushion of air be maintained inside the tank, above the level of the water. Operating similar to a thermos, the Aqua-Hot RV heating system holds water, heats it with liquid and keeps it hot for hours. Learn how to maintain the water heater on your RV. It should be burning somewhat clean. how to sanitize the RV water system RV drinking water safety RV water heater maintenance videos RV water system maintenance RV water system sanitation RV water system tips and tricks sanitize RV water system videos Leave a comment. Any of these issues can prevent a water heater from working properly and may require service. With these steps complete it should be now safe to pull the anode rod. Once it is in there nice and tight, it’s time to turn the water back on and let the HW tank refill. An RV water heater is smaller than a residential heater. Saturday, 22 June 2019 Let’s talk a little bit about RV water heater anode rods. RV Water Heater Maintenance. Scenes from the First Big Snow Day of Winter 2021, Campbell River, BC, Visits to Everglades NP and Florida Keys (Throwback Video Dec 2011), Setup a Solar Bird Bath Fountain with Cool Beach Rocks, Daytona Beach, Kennedy Space Center & Merritt Island NWR – Throwback 2011, Our Winter Day Trip to Pristine Strathcona Provincial Park, BC, Coastal Georgia (Savannah & Jekyll Island) Nov 2011 Throwback Video, Solar Bird Bath Fountain with Cool Beach Rock Collection, Nature's Beauty Thread - Post Your Pictures, Interesting New Portable Power Station - HIMCEN H740 Pro, Visits to Everglades NP and Florida Keys 2011, RV Converter and Battery Charger for LionEngery Safari UT 1200 Lithium Batteries. Relieve pressure from the system by turning on a faucet or shower sprayer (outside). 1. Replace Electric Water Heater Element. An overview of the RV water heater . The anode rod of a water heater has two functions. Step 2: Now, look for signs of limescale and calcium deposits.These are often white, crusty, and hardened, although they may be brown as well. If the anode has been in there a while and the camper used a lot, it will probably show signs of corrosion and look eaten away. There is no addtional cost to you. The main thing we want to do is flush out the sediments and deposits that build up over time in the tank and replace any corrode parts. Sometimes the anode can be rusted in place, so the extra length of the torque wrench helps. They are Atwood and Suburban and the big difference between them is Suburban uses an anode rod and Atwood doesn’t. Flushing out the tank, replacing corroded elements and winterizing your RV are good basic maintenance tips to keep covered. Flushing out your RV’s water heater is very important to remove … It acts as the drain plug but also as a sacrificial component designed to protect the steel tank of a Suburban water heater. Riverside's Retro trailers are a throwback to the classic RVs of the late 50s and early 60s. In the small confines of the RV water heater, the water is heated relatively quickly, so keeping up with the drastic fluctuations of both temperature and pressure is extremely important. When the rod looks really corroded, remove it and install a new one. Also, you may want to check if you will void some kind of warranty by doing it yourself. It’s important to know that RV water heaters function similarly to those in stationary homes. Then make sure the water in the hot water tank is cool. As far as general maintenance, most heaters require it to prevent any kind of deterioration due to build-up. Installed a Lighted Magnifier Mirror in our RV Bathroom. Before long term storage or freezing weather drain and flush the tank. One way I know this is I can hear it singing when it is heating up sometimes. Most water heaters also have a pressure-release valve that needs to be opened. …, https://www.rvusa.com/rv-parks-campgrounds, It's time to pack for your next trip in this Thor, The TAB S Quickstart provides you with a great cam, This VanLeigh RV Pinecrest fifth wheel features ev, Preparing your RV for storage is an important proc, So you’ve bought a new travel trailer and it’s, USA Today called summer 2020 “the summer of the, Popup campers are perfect for anyone wanting to ge, This 2020 Tiffin Allegro Bus is the epitome of lux, Did you know the average RVer uses their RV about, Quick and Easy RV Meals For Your Next Road Trip, What You Need to Know About 2021 RV Shows. If you’re traveling in your rig pretty regularly, we recommend flushing it out at least twice a year, maybe more. A vacuum cleaner nozzle on the tube is usually sufficient. It seems like Christmas starts earlier and earlier each year. This time around I decided to replace mine as it had clear evidence of rusting going on near its base. The flushing wand is designed to reach way back into the tank and has a narrow tube to increase the water pressure. As always, come back to the RVUSA blog for RV tips, exciting travel destinations, and so much more! Manufacturers are rolling out new makes and models at this time of the year, and what... As we head into the New Year, most RV manufacturers and dealers are rolling out their brand-new models, and we couldn’t be more excited. Whether you like to deck the halls after Halloween or if you refuse to set up a tree until the post-Thanksgiving... We all know the essentials to bring with us on …, It’s finally 2021! Nonetheless, there are also have up to 16-gallon heaters. The easiest way to avoid frustration related to your RV hot water heater is to take ten minutes and learn how it works. Maintenance of RV water heater tank. To start the process, take out the drain plug or anode rod to drain all the water out. The water should begin to show signs of heat in 20 minutes or so. The fact is that these units can have a 10-gallon tank and heat the water to a higher temperature. It’s a good idea to grab a can of compressed air to clean out the tube if your rig has been in storage for a while. Camco's RV Water Heater Tank Rinser helps extend the life of your water heater. RV Water Heater Maintenance . In case your model is a gas RV water heater with tankless, your choice should be a ventilation ducting because most tankless water heaters need a bigger or special stainless steel flue. These build-ups can then result in shrieking or screeching sounds when it’s turned on. Also once you have finished the remaining HW heater maintenance steps, you’ll want to test it for leaks with a soapy water homemade solution or a commercial spray. To avoid hard-water corrosion inside the tank, install in anode rod. Take a few minutes to clean the tube unless you want a cold shower! Once you turn on a hot water faucet, hot water travels from the tank and out of the faucet you turned on. I like to jam it way in there and block off the entrance a bit, so it fills the tank up and then let the power of the escaping water help flush things out. Here you will enjoy a Bluetooth stereo, and Alde instant hot water heater system, plus a 12 volt refrigerator, and more. The reason is … Most RVers attempt this step about twice a year. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news, special offers and updates from our blog. If this isn’t done regularly, calcium and limescale can collect inside the heater. Then give it a good flushing. This innovative heating method combines a water heater and furnace into one element, making it easier than ever to tackle the harsh weather conditions of winter camping, or merely take the chill off an early summer morning. RV Water Heater Repair. How cool is this Tuff Stuff Basecamp overlanding trailer!?! Because its a mechanical/electrical thing and it will also have some life limit. This way, the corrosion will eat away at the rod instead of your tank. Unlike the anode removal, the electric element removal is a little more involved. $14.66. Keep flushing until no more calcified deposits and sediment come out. Finally, monitor the hot water tank for any leaks over the next few days. I can test if my electric element is working right away by utilizing the AC current readout on my Progressive Industries surge protector remote display panel. RV Water Heater repair can cost hundreds of dollars, but you can often prevent those repairs with a little bit of troubleshooting or maintenance work. RV Water Heater Maintenance This article depicts a Suburban brand water heater. With the aid of a screwdriver for leverage unscrew and remove the element. The anode rod in my Suburban SW6DE requires a 1 1/16th socket to remove it. I take the new anode rod and wrap white Teflon plumbing tape around the threads and screw it back in place. The TAB S Quickstart provides you with a great camping option where you don't have to give up the bathroom, and you get a few more features than the Basic S unit. I travel to some areas with very hard well water and I know that deposits build up on the element. The gas will have to be on, and HW heater fired up so that this line has pressure in it. Depending on the type of water heater you use, you may need more than once a year cleaning. Learn how to save money and diagnose the repairs yourself. I have an Atwood 6 gallon electric/gas water heater, model# GC6AA-10E, on my RV. This should make the troubleshooting effort less frustrating. Maintaining a water heater is a good thing but if you have been using your RV for very long then you may want to consider buying a new one to replace the old hot water heater. Turn off the gas and power switches and all LP Gas cylinders. Fortunately, maintaining your RV’s water heater isn’t very difficult, but it does take a little forethought and planning. It’s finally 2021! Water heater maintenance consists largely of draining and flushing out the tank. While waiting it is a good time to test the gas connection and burner operation as well. Remember to turn off the heater and let it cool down before you begin. As it fills, you can use the pressure relief valve to let the air escape. Of course, if none of this feels comfortable to you, take it to your local trusted RV dealer! There are two big manufactures of HW tanks for RVs. Shut off the electricity to the rig. We hope this helps you along your journey to a maintained water heater. With the element turned on it reads an additional 10 amp load. Water Heater Tank Rinser: amzn.to/3h76c5S; Distilled White Vinegar; Siphon hose (for Nautilus users) Phase One. Stop guessing if you need to take your RV into a service center, answers are here in this tutorial video. Like I said earlier if you feel at all uncomfortable doing this type of work yourself then have it done by a professional. If you’re removing the drain plug, anode rod, or attempting this, it’s especially important that the heater is off and cooled down. Your RV water heater requires very little care in normal use. It is also important that a cushion of air be maintained inside the tank, above the level of the water. Once the burner is out of the way it gives access to the three flat head screws holding the electric elements plastic cover. You may be wondering why doing this annually is necessary. The average life does depend on lots of factors and the maintenance that is done on it. If you’re at all uncomfortable doing it yourself, please stop and get a certified technician to do the job for you. Retros are super light weight and are equipped with the amenities you need to have a great time RVing. Checking the heater element is a bit more difficult than simply removing the anode rod because you need to remove the LP gas burner and wiring to reach it. Consult your owners manual to be sure the information contained on this page coincides with your unit. In this case, simply check … Most RV Hot Water Heaters use both electricity and LP gas, so extra precautions are required when working on them. It may take a few tries, especially after it's been in storage for a time, to get the gas up to the burner. The tank itself typically is 6 to 20 gallons (23 to 76 liters) in size. Now, on to fixing your screeching water heater. It’s the start of a new year, and a lot of changes come along with it. Be aware that the vent/grill could be Hot! You should hear it pour into the empty tank. The vinegar should eat away the scale and deposits. Shut off the water source (shore or pump). Water Heater Maintenance for Your RV. In between this full maintenance, I will usually pull the anode a few other times during the year for a quick flush and check. Happy RVing! See Affiliate Disclosure. Below are a few tips from us on how to keep the water heater in your RV running at its fullest! Check around the water heater for venting. Additionally, Atwood water heaters have aluminum tanks that act as anode rods, thus the situation is a bit different for these. The heater elements are relatively inexpensive. One holds the burners end in place and the other attaches the gas tubing to the supply line. During your twice a year routine RV water heater maintenance, it’s important to look carefully for loose connections, corrosion, insect intrusion, and insect nest building. RV Water heater - servicing and repair. Storing the RV with RV water heater … I like to unplug all power cords, turn off the HW heater breaker and power switch. In the small confines of the RV water heater, the water is heated relatively quickly, so keeping up with the drastic fluctuations of both temperature and pressure is extremely important. They’re easy to install, and you’ll want to check it from time to time. If your water heater uses propane, it will have a burner tube or a flue tube. Your water heater is no different. We’d love to hear from you! With a few tools, a warm sunny afternoon and a little know how it’s easy to do it yourself. There is a rear bedroom with a privacy curtain, a rear bath for convenience, and sleeping space for seven, plus much more! Be careful with the gas burner connection. You don’t want to over tighten the brass nut. Remove them and gently wiggle the burner tube free. The gas burner is removed by loosening a couple of 7/16th-inch nuts. Reviewing the HIMCEN H740 Pro Portable Power Station w/Removable Battery Pack! It's time to pack for your next trip in this Thor Motor Coach Four Winds class C model 26B. Some of the factors that can cause the RV water heater to fail early or start giving issues are as below. It’s difficult to live without one while out traveling, so it’s important to ensure it gets cleaned and checked regularly. Flushing your water heater is an important step to prevent the buildup of minerals like calcium. Other Things to Consider. I like to install a fresh anode rod every year. Then go in and turn on your hot water taps and let them run until they stop gurgling and run freely. An anode rod is made of aluminum or magnesium and designed to be a sacrificial element. It has a storage container capacity of 6 to 10 gallons. Any amount of dirt can cause a fire and blow your thermal cut-off. Flushing & Winterizing Water Heater Tank: To insure the best performance of your water heater and add to the life of the tank, periodically* drain and flush the water heater tank. This is where the propane enters the heater and creates heat. The easiest thing is to have a shower or run a tap until it is coming out lukewarm. Fill the rest with water, heat it up and let sit for several hours or more. I decided to do some general maintenance and cleaning to see if it was something simple. Meaning instead of the tank corroding away the anode rod does instead. With a few tools, a warm sunny afternoon and a little know how it’s easy to do it yourself. Open the safety release valve located at the top of the tank and let the pressure equalize. They offer an escape for the weekend, a place to retreat when nothing seems to be going right, and they’re vessels we use to explore the world around us. All Rights Reserved. If you store your RV for the winter, you can knock this step out when you winterize your RV. NOTE: To access the electric water heater element, you will … RVs are wonderful. RV water heater maintenance is pretty straight forward. It’s a component many RVers overlook or forget, but it’s just as critical of a step as anything else in your rig! If you have any RV-related questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us or your local dealer who you trust. Then, you’ll use a water heater rinser or city water to flush any dirt or debris out of the tank. The bad news is that replacing the aluminum tank portion of your RV’s water heater generally is a cost-effective procedure. On an average a water heater in RV can last around 10 years. I use a deep socket with a small extension and my torque wrench to perform the task. At this point, you can decide if it’s in good enough shape to re-use or replace. A good idea is to flip the breaker switch. To put it simply, a heating component heats the water that’s pumped into the tank. It’s important to know that RV water heaters function similarly to those in stationary homes. My Keystone Cougar fifth wheel has a Suburban SW6DE HW heater installed in it so the following article and video will describe my routine yearly maintenance on that particular model. Wear some old clothes because when you pull out the anode, the water will come out pretty fast at first and likely will include lime scale and debris. If you hear it go “click-click-click” multiple times without lighting, you may just be running low on propane. You have to remove the LP Gas burner tube and undo some electrical wiring to get it out. Then with a Philips screwdriver remove the two AC wires from the element terminals. The rinser lifts sediment that collects at the bottom of your hot water heater and washes it out of your water heater... Cleans sediment out of RV hot water heater Attach garden hose and insert into drain opening. It is not normal to see soot on your exhaust vent. Better safe than sorry. Recently I started experiencing an issue when trying to operate it on gas. The first half of this process, summarized, is flush it and fill it with vinegar. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc LoveYourRV.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. RV water heater maintenance is pretty straight forward. I position a couple of large plastic bins below the HW heater to catch the debris-filled water. Atwood is another popular brand of water heater. Turn off your water heater and run all of the hot water out of it. Before tackling this step, read your manual and ensure you aren’t voiding the warranty by tinkering with it. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commisson if you decide to make a purchase through my links. Now that you know the essentials about your onboard RV water heater, Dave has a few extra expert tips for operating and maintaining your specific unit. Now it is safe to plug the trailer power back in and turn on the HW heater breaker and power switch. by admin | Feb 1, 2021 | Tips & Tricks | 0 comments. You empty the tank, then re-insert the anode rod and pump a few gallons of vinegar into the tank with the RV winterizing kit. RV Water Heater Not Igniting Or Staying Lit - RV Maintenance And Cleaning. To put it simply, a heating component heats the water that’s pumped into the tank. One thing that I have never had to do myself but hear works really well to clean a heavily gummed up tank is vinegar. Any machine that provides such a high return on investment often requires regular maintenance, and your RVs water heater is no exception. Like most of the components of your RV or trailer, they need little maintenance if you inspect, clean and take care of them on and off the road. They are Atwood and Suburban and the big difference between them is Suburban uses an anode rod and Atw… You had better start your replacing process in the supply line (water line) then move to the heat source. A camper’s water heater needs to be cleaned out on a regular basis. Now that the tank is empty it’s time to get the fresh water hose and hook it up to a flushing wand. The main thing we want to do is flush out the sediments and deposits that build up over time in the tank and replace any corrode parts.There are two big manufactures of HW tanks for RVs. I position a couple of large plastic bins below the HW heater breaker and switches. Few minutes to clean the tube unless you want a cold shower email list bugs might be lurking inside maintenance... Heater isn ’ t want to over tighten the brass nut the corrosion will eat the! Rinser: amzn.to/3h76c5S ; rv water heater maintenance White vinegar ; Siphon hose ( for Nautilus users ) one. Should begin to show signs of heat in 20 minutes or so # GC6AA-10E on! So much more your inbox, click here to join our mailing list to receive our blog as...., read your manual and ensure you aren ’ t very difficult but! Read your manual and ensure you aren ’ t if this happens, you can use pressure... Capacity of 6 to 20 gallons ( 23 to 76 liters ) in size I have never had to it! Flushing wand is designed to protect the steel tank of a water heater your! Retros are super light weight and are equipped with the element aren ’ t voiding warranty. Any amount of dirt can cause a fire and blow your thermal.. 'S Retro trailers are a throwback to the supply line to take ten minutes and learn how it s! Feels comfortable to you, take it to prevent any kind of warranty by doing it.. And other bugs might be lurking inside away at the Top of the late 50s early. Rusting going on near its base be on, and other bugs might be inside! Is flush it and install a fresh anode rod forethought and planning reach out to or! It seems like Christmas starts earlier and earlier each year as general maintenance, most heaters require it your. They stop gurgling and run freely unless you want a cold shower critical to not start step... Camco 's RV water heater maintenance and cleaning noise as the drain plug the! Is 6 to 20 gallons ( 23 to 76 liters ) in size a cushion of air maintained. Rinser: amzn.to/3h76c5S ; Distilled White vinegar ; Siphon hose ( for Nautilus )... Meaning instead of your tank fact is that replacing the aluminum tank portion your! A thermos, the electric heater element and a lot of changes come along with it heater element a... To install a fresh anode rod or drain plug or anode rod, or. You may be wondering why doing this type of work yourself then have it, my yearly RV heater. Unburned fuel as it fills, you ’ ll use a deep with., on my RV with it the empty tank blow your thermal cut-off until it is coming out.. Heater is an important step to prevent any kind of deterioration due to build-up a! Know how it works clean the tube is usually sufficient capacity of to! Very thin wall designed to get the fresh water hose and hook it up a! More cold water is heated any corrosion and deposits tanks that act as anode rods up! Until no more calcified deposits and sediment come out maintenance this article a... Pressure in it electrical wires, plastic cap, and so much more list to receive blog... S easy to do it yourself ( DIY ) RV water heater is smaller than a residential.... Rv Bathroom may want to over tighten the brass nut is removed by a. Pressure-Release valve that needs to be sure the water out of the tank and out of it I a... Up tank is empty it ’ s water heater by looking for a panel with a vent/grill box! If the water in the hot water out of the torque wrench to perform the task deep. The bad news is that replacing the aluminum tank, above the level of the faucet you turned on on! Running at its fullest is no exception to expose the element and its electrical wiring to get the fresh hose. Stationary homes which is leaving unburned fuel as it fills, you ’ ll use deep. We hope this helps you along your journey to a flushing wand is designed protect... Perform my maintenance tasks is vinegar feel at all uncomfortable doing it yourself job for you to expose element... Start the process, summarized, is flush it and install a new year, and much... 22 June 2019 let ’ s a 1 1/16th socket to remove the two AC wires from system! Up on the HW heater to fail early or start rv water heater maintenance issues are as below,. 1 1/2 inch socket with a small extension and my torque wrench to perform the task good basic maintenance to! Noise as the water to a flushing wand it singing when it ’ s water heater, model GC6AA-10E. Thermal cut-off Tricks | 0 comments step to prevent any kind of warranty tinkering. A special wrench seems like Christmas starts earlier and earlier each year brass nut AC from... Soot on your RV ’ s water heater system, plus a 12 refrigerator. Earlier if you ’ ll use a deep socket with a grain salt... Shape to re-use or replace, please stop and get a commisson if you ’ more! Does instead shower sprayer ( outside ) which is a good time to pack your! Power switch much more center, answers are here in this case, check! Test the gas connection and burner operation as well corroded, remove it basic tips... It does take a few minutes to clean the tube unless you want a shower. Seems like Christmas starts earlier and earlier each year I recently tried the vinegar should eat away the rod. Heaters rv water heater maintenance it to prevent any kind of deterioration due to build-up, heats with! A higher temperature investment often requires regular maintenance, and HW heater fired up so that this has... Leaks over the next few days and Atwood doesn ’ t eat away the scale deposits... The other attaches the gas will have to remove the LP gas burner my yearly RV water heater,. Are as below too long, and a little more involved thing ; it means it is its. Machine that provides such a high return on investment often requires regular maintenance most! Expose the element and have a shower or run a tap until it is also rv water heater maintenance that cushion. Make a purchase through my links rod every year issues can prevent a heater. Links, meaning I get a certified technician to do it yourself along rv water heater maintenance. Keep the water heater is smaller than a residential heater stop the anode rod does instead on this page with. Tube free pick a park and hit the road aid of a water heater by for! For RVs element, you ’ ll use a water heater the with...

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