Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Hot Water Heater - Grand Finale!

May 20, 2016, 07:51:11 pm

As we were leaving last fall for our 6-month sojourn down south we discovered that our HTH was was inoperative. The symptons indicated that the inlet to the tank was 99.9% clogged, for it would eventually fill after a number of days. Every few minutes the pump would give a little 1-2 second burp as it forced some water into the tank.

Along with some help from the good folks here, I came to the conclusion that the check valve on the cold-water feet was not working. Due it's rather difficuilt access, I decided it was not a job to tackle on the road. We didn't do much bnoondocking this winter and had access to CG showers.

Last week I tackled the removal of the check valve. Not easy or fun! Everything had to be done with just one hand and with VERY little room to wield a wrench. After several douses with WD-40, the valve finally came loose.

Next problem was finding a replacement. I learned that the valve is pretty much an RV item not available normal plumbing suppliers. Found the exact replacement at an RV dealer.

Getting it in was another challenge and I have the battle scars on my arms to prove it. I pulled out the converter and power unit as far as possible and was able to get one hand in there to the back of the HWH. Too bad LD is so cheap with their wire - 6 inches or so of slack in the 12V wires would allow the unit to come out far enough to make access easy.

There was no way I was going to succeed using Teflon tape with only hand to apply it, so I got some Rectorseal $5 pipe compound which I could apply with one hand.

Got the new valve in, let the compound set for a few hours, and then tested. Huzzah! Water went flowing into the tank like gang-busters.

Thank you all for your tips as I pondered this problem.

Re: Hot Water Heater - Grand Finale!

Reply #2 – May 21, 2016, 06:35:05 am

Yes, that is an oxymoron, isn't it, Larry?  How about a "CWH"?