1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

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1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

February 17, 2021, 05:36:32 pm

I totally screwed up and did not drain the water heater during this Texas freeze. I had drained the fresh water tank and did the best I could to get all the water out of the plumbing a month ago.. They grey tank was empty and the Black tank had 2 gallons of water and the chemicals for storage. I was out of town and by the time I got to the RV it was freezing- I opened the drain plug on the water heater and maybe 1 to 2 gallons drained out but that was it. I am trying to get ahead of the game in searching for a water heater for this year and model. In doing some research I see where Dometic purchased Atwood. It is still freezing here in Texas so when it warms up I will check and see how the coach handled the freeze. I ran the wall unit at 50 degrees for 5 days until the propane ran out. So I tried the best I could- so any suggestions or help in which way to go in purchasing a new water heater. In my Lazy daze manual no help on the model number for the heater but I am sure that has all changed over 28 years. thanks in advance for any help

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #1 – February 17, 2021, 05:51:47 pm

Are you sure that your hot water heater is broken, or just fearing the worst?

Freezing water isn't a problem, per se. Freezing water stuck in a place where it can't expand without breaking something is.

Maybe you got lucky?

Rich

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #2 – February 17, 2021, 06:02:47 pm

I am not sure - I need to be hoping for the best. This Rig has been good to me. Really- never any problems. I just feel like I didn't take care of it like I should have. We just don't have these type of temperatures in Texas. I have never even had to think about winterizing it before. Any way- I appreciate your comments.

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #3 – February 17, 2021, 06:07:57 pm

Quote from: rich - February 17, 2021, 05:51:47 pm

Are you sure that your hot water heater is broken, or just fearing the worst?
Freezing water isn't a problem, per se. Freezing water stuck in a place where it can't expand without breaking something is.
Maybe you got lucky?

Rich may be right, the water heater should have an air gap that should provide enough room for the contained water to expand assuming the air gap has been renewed periodically.
I would worry more about any plumbing that wasn't completely drained. The toilet valve is a common victim.
Don't buy anything until you determine what, if anything, was damaged.

Larry

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #4 – February 17, 2021, 10:01:30 pm

Is anything wet on the inside of the camper in the vicinity of the water heater? If you absolutely need to, I think you can buy replacement tanks only.

Jon

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #5 – February 18, 2021, 10:14:53 am

Our LD Texas Friends.

First of all - we wish you, your family, and neighbors the best during these trying times.

Weather, Covid-19, and life!

Your concern of broken water lines and stuff in your LD:

Often we are rewarded by this adage "Do No Harm".

These suggestions are from a person who has had experience with frozen broken water lines and offer my personal painful experiences as a possible solution. No expert here - just IMO suggestions.

Your LD is more resilient then many folks give them credit for. You did drain some of the water from the HWH tank, and that will help. IMO the best solution at this time is to wait for your LD to fully defrost, and be patience. Larry W's advise.

Even with no water pressure, a broken line will usually leak water as it defrosts.

When the water lines, drain plugs and surrounding attachments are at such a low freezing temperature any pulling, twisting, unscrewing can, (could) break the water line.

Patience. It's the hardest time to do, but remain calm.

If no freezing temperatures are forecast for another week or so you might try this:

Suggest that you wait until you can thaw the interior of the coach FULLY, for a few days - then and only then you may consider connecting a fresh water hose to the exterior connection. Open all cabinet drawers and spaces so you may be able to visually observe if in fact, any water is leaking (or pouring) out.

Leave the city water connection on with pressure for a few hours, carefully observing if in fact you have any broken water lines. I would stay with the RV the entire time, as it only takes a few minutes to fully flood a coach. Literally!

Visually inspect as much of the water system as you are able, using lights, mirrors, or any other tool to allow you a good inspection. There will be areas you may not be able to check, but if there is a leak you will probably hear it, or see it running out in another area.

If any water lines are leaking, it is possible that there are more than the one you are observing. At this point I would stop completely until you can do a full water check and repair, or arrange for repairs.

IF No water leaks are observed!

Turn off the city water supply connected to your LD. Fill the fresh water tank 1/4 or so and briefly turn on the water pump.

Short one or two second bursts. Leave the water faucets open. When (if) you have water flow with no water leaks you may be in the clear. Leave the system pressurized with the water pump on, city water off, and continue to observe.

You may have to run water for a few minutes to bleed any air in the lines. The initial test is a good start, but I would highly recommend you continue to monitor for ANY leaks for a few days at least.

A word of encouragement.

Your LD is a tough machine. One step at a time. Do No Harm!

Respectfully,

Tony R. (aka codefour)

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #6 – February 18, 2021, 04:32:03 pm

Tony-

Thank you so much for the detailed instructions.

I look to this Forum for exactly what you provided and once again

Thank you

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #7 – March 24, 2021, 04:16:26 pm

Quote from: codefour - February 18, 2021, 10:14:53 am

Our LD Texas Friends.

First of all - we wish you, your family, and neighbors the best during these trying times.

Weather, Covid-19, and life!

Your concern of broken water lines and stuff in your LD:

Often we are rewarded by this adage "Do No Harm".

These suggestions are from a person who has had experience with frozen broken water lines and offer my personal painful experiences as a possible solution. No expert here - just IMO suggestions.

Your LD is more resilient then many folks give them credit for. You did drain some of the water from the HWH tank, and that will help. IMO the best solution at this time is to wait for your LD to fully defrost, and be patience. Larry W's advise.

Even with no water pressure, a broken line will usually leak water as it defrosts.

When the water lines, drain plugs and surrounding attachments are at such a low freezing temperature any pulling, twisting, unscrewing can, (could) break the water line.

Patience. It's the hardest time to do, but remain calm.

If no freezing temperatures are forecast for another week or so you might try this:

Suggest that you wait until you can thaw the interior of the coach FULLY, for a few days - then and only then you may consider connecting a fresh water hose to the exterior connection. Open all cabinet drawers and spaces so you may be able to visually observe if in fact, any water is leaking (or pouring) out.

Leave the city water connection on with pressure for a few hours, carefully observing if in fact you have any broken water lines. I would stay with the RV the entire time, as it only takes a few minutes to fully flood a coach. Literally!

Visually inspect as much of the water system as you are able, using lights, mirrors, or any other tool to allow you a good inspection. There will be areas you may not be able to check, but if there is a leak you will probably hear it, or see it running out in another area.

If any water lines are leaking, it is possible that there are more than the one you are observing. At this point I would stop completely until you can do a full water check and repair, or arrange for repairs.

IF No water leaks are observed!

Turn off the city water supply connected to your LD. Fill the fresh water tank 1/4 or so and briefly turn on the water pump.

Short one or two second bursts. Leave the water faucets open. When (if) you have water flow with no water leaks you may be in the clear. Leave the system pressurized with the water pump on, city water off, and continue to observe.

You may have to run water for a few minutes to bleed any air in the lines. The initial test is a good start, but I would highly recommend you continue to monitor for ANY leaks for a few days at least.

A word of encouragement.

Your LD is a tough machine. One step at a time. Do No Harm!

Respectfully,

Tony R. (aka codefour)

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #8 – March 24, 2021, 04:20:02 pm

Well- my water heater was split in half. Very disappointing. I bought this as a replacement. . The Suburban SW6DE Gas Water Heater. I The SW6DE Model also lets you take advantage of campground or generator power to heat your water with the 1440-watt Incoloy electric element. The Incoloy electric element provides a recovery rate of 6.1 gallons per hour. For a faster recovery rate of 16.2 gallons per hour, use both gas and electric simultaneously.

Has anyone had any experience with this W/H.

Thank you

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #9 – March 24, 2021, 04:43:58 pm

I don't have any experience with that water heater, but one way to look at the situation is that there is value in having a brand new water heater. It's almost guaranteed to outperform a model from 1993.

I had to replace the gas valve on my water heater recently. Cost was over $100 for parts alone.

Your new water heater should last the remaining life of the coach (fingers crossed).

Good luck with the project,

Rich

Re: 1993 26.5 MB need to replace water heater-

Reply #10 – March 24, 2021, 04:53:38 pm

Not sure of the model but we had a gas/electric water heater in our Hi-Lo trailer. Very nice when you have hook-ups! And yes, the water will heat faster using both sources. If mine ever needs replacing, it will be replaced with a model that uses electric also.

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