Hot Water Heater

[GoinKZ]

This being my first year using my on board systems during the winter I'm experiencing some new things.
My HWH is a LP/110/DSI type and in season has a fairly quick recovery time.
In the winter the hot water doesn't seem to last that long- IE one round of dishes or a quick shower.

I'm assuming that the incoming water being slightly above freezing is the cause for the sudden drop in temperature in the HWH as it can't recoup that 20 or 30 degrees as fast as I'm needing it.

Anyone else have any thoughts, I'm making a giant leap that this is normal ?!?!

Also thinking if it is normal, wonder what could be done about perhaps applying some heat to the FW storage area to combat the problem or would one be just trying to temper to large a mass to make a difference?

[shum]

Not what I experience but I bet you have one of these issues going on.

Your mixing hot and cold water somewhere.

Check to make sure that the exterior shower handles/shower head are turned off.
Check to make sure the WH bypass is not on or completly off.
Make sure that all air is purged from the WH before heating the water by running the water while it's filling or pulling the pressure relieve valve while filling.

You should have as much hot water as summer running it in both gas and electric. I have no issues with mine. Also check to make sure the electric is on, gas is firing.

[GoinKZ]

Make sure that all air is purged from the WH before heating the water by running the water while it's filling or pulling the pressure relieve valve while filling.

How do you bet that's the problem....never even thought about "burping" the HWH....all summer long it's always charged and ready for service, in the winter not the case for obvious reasons. Likley half full of air.
Yeah, next time I'll burp it and see what I get.

[High-Tech Redneck]

.......Well, shum,,,,,,,for GoinKZ's BURP and my continued online banking needs,,,,We Thank You,,

[Wood_Fairy]

Tsk Tsk Tsk .... How am I ever going to trust you to install my Equalizer now


Good point to learn when I unwinterize my trailer. Completely by coincidence the pressure valve was off when I was filling the water heater of the PU in Myrtle beach and we did not notice any difference in hot water quantity, though I should confess we had just a few days below zero at nights.

Good point to burp it Will opening the hot water tap not serve the same purpose ?

[GoinKZ]

Good point to burp it Will opening the hot water tap not serve the same purpose ?

Well no not really, I guess eventually it would, but eliminating the air right at the source is simpler & more effective.
Essentially what Shum is saying and I agree with him is that the air in the HWH is reducing the volume of hot water available.
Never an issues in the summer as the HWH is always charged and ready to go, so it's long been burped out.

[Origami Camper]

Doesn't the hot water port out near the top of all WHs? If you get any hot water at all, that means the tank is already nearly full - maybe a little air gap at the top but that would be hard to fill with water since there's no water line going right to the top of the tank to burp that portion. I don't see how you could get anything but air with a half full tank.

My bet the issue is something else, like a leaking by pass valve, or poorly insulated WH.

[High-Tech Redneck]

Good point to burp it Will opening the hot water tap not serve the same purpose ?

.....I'm not sure about a water heater,,,,,but when you drain the holding tank for a well pump ,,,,after it refills you have to take the plug out at the top and bleed some of the air,,,,it won't always,,but can keep a big air pocket in the top no matter if you run the water or not.,,,,,,,,,when I first turn my hot water on after it's been sitting up ,,it does spit and spudder for awhile in the sink,,,,,I've never completly drained my water heater though.

[another_newfie]

This isn't likely caused by any insulation on the WH. The tank itself is insulated heavily and is also enclosed inside the rig. For instance if this was in any way happening last weekend while at Valen's this is most definitely not the cause. It just didn't get cold enough. If you are 100% sure you don't have mixing going on somewhere then Shum is on to something. Just for S & G I fired up my LP only WH and de-winterized the hot water side over the NY trip when it was about minus 12C and it was as hot as ever, no reduction in temperature whatsoever.

[GoinKZ]

Inclined to agree with A_N re the insulation here....the HWH acted in similar fashion at -12 over New Years as well...
It ether isn't burping or a mix issue.

Not sure how it could be a mix issue as I have a "single valve" bypass type bypass unless I'm not getting it turned fully on for some reason...
I've no prior experience with the single lever bypass, always has a dual bypass where you actually flipped to valves and isolated the HWH OUT of the system.

The rig is destined for NT, perhaps I'll put this issue on the list especially if it involves the H20 system & warranty.
Whatever the issue is it's unique to my winter situation as PRIOR to winterizing I never had issue with the volume of hot water and or the recovery time of the HWH.