Water Heater Not Very Hot...please Help

Hi, I spent six weeks in my 2009 Jayco Eagle TT last summer, and the water was nice and piping hot, just using the electric portion of the water heater. The propane works fine, but would prefer to save my gas. The trailer needed some repairs at the end of the summer, so after winterizing it, I left it with the dealer for the coldest part of the winter for some work. I have to say, I've been really disappointed with the dealer. They kept the TT for three months! We spent a week in it last week, and the hot water does not get very hot at all with the electric only...it gets a bit warmer than lukewarm. As for winterizing, I asked the dealer to drain the hot water heater when I dropped it off, and they SWEAR that they did so. I'm suspicious that they did not, and now the coils are damaged and that's why it's not getting as hot as before.

Any suggestions, ideas, or advice for me? We are going x-country for seven weeks this summer, and I will definitely need hot water.
Thanks!

 

If the power was left on and water was removed then you may have a burned out heater element. Remove the AC power. Then open up the water heater unit and find the heater rod. This will have two wires that supply 120 volts to heater. Remove one wire only and then use a good volt/ohm meter and read the resistors on this coil, around 30 ohms or so. Them read each side to ground to see if the heater element has a short to ground. If reading are bad take it to Home Depot and find a new one. Remember unit is 120 volts not 240 volts. Number of watts will be on stamped near place wires are hooked. If unit is good check and see if you have 120 AC on heater. DO NOT keep power on with out filled the heater tank or it will burn out fast. Use a good sealer on a new element before you screw it back in.

 

It has been noted that if the outside wash down valves are left on, and the head turned off, it will allow water to mix and you will only get warm water. Also check the water heater bypass to make sure it is in the proper position. If partially open the same effect.

 

Hi, Can you explain what the 'outside wash down valves' are?

Also, Mr. Blue, you explanation is great, but probably beyond my technical/mechanical ability. Sounds like I might need a repairman. If it is under warranty still, would that help?

Thanks,
Marisa

 

Hi Marisa,

Outside wash down is otherwise known as an out door shower.

 

If either shower should be turned off at the head, leaving the hot and cold valves open(inside or outside), then the hot and the cold water will mix. Another possible cause could be the water heater bypass valves not properly aligned.

I assume that the coils that you believe were damaged are those of the electric heater? If so, then the advice by John is good, if you have a factory installed heater that came with the water heater. If it is an after-market heater such as the "Hot Rod" then you will need to replace it with theirs.

Have you tried the water heater using propane? I would do that first to make sure that the propane heater works to verify that it is a heater problem. It the water heater is a dual heat source model the same controls are used for both electric and propane heat and that would verify that the control circuits are working.

 

Hi Marisa,

I wonder if when the unit was dewinterized if they correctly set the by pass valve. That would also allow cold water to mix with the hot water.

 

Hi, I will try your suggestions (the simple ones!) and see what I get. I think the propane did make it hotter, but will run it for longer to make sure. I sure hope it is as simple as the by-pass valve alignment. Thanks for the suggestions.
Marisa

 

May be you have burned the heater element. I do have a 80 gallon water heater and it is working well.

 

I vote in favor of it being open shower valves. If the heating element was burned out, the water wouldn't be warm, it would remain cold. Having the shower valves open results in lukewarm water. I know, I've experienced it!

 

I agree, it sounds like either open shower or bypass valves. Check them both though, I was once fooled when I found an incorrect bypass setting but changing it didn't cure the problem. Turned out the outside shower valves were also open...

 

While you have posted good general information about the problems with water heaters, please note that you are replying to a thread that was begun in 2010 so there probably won't be a reply from the original poster.

 

I think that only a specialist can solve your problem

 

You could have a go at resetting the two thermostats. There ought to be a round red catch on the upper and lower. Additionally, perhaps the tube on the cold side which kicks the water into the base of the tank has consumed and severed, this blending your hot with cold right away. You ought to have the option to out your ear to the tank and hear a sizzle if the thermos/components are working.

https://tanklesswaterheaterexpress.com/no-hot-water-in-shower/

 

Hi,thanks for it

 

I have my own food truck and I make money by often traveling to other cities. So, three months ago, my appliances in my truck began to refuse for no reason some appliances, such as a microwave, water heater and grill. I thought that there was a malfunction in these devices, but the matter was different. I just needed to change the generator to a new one and I found an article best generator for food truck thanks to which I was able to make my right choice.

 

As a simple suggestion to those newer members (WooodS1, Lianot, and Lona__Joseph), as Texasrvers noted in a post above, you are replying to a post that was posted back in 2010 and is probably no longer relevant. Before you respond to a post check out the date at the lower left hand corner of the post you are responding to. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated and I am only posting this to help you understand the forum "mo betta" I am just a regular member but like to be of assistance when I feel I can and this is one of those times.................

Regards to three newer posters mentioned above, BankShot..........(aka Terry)

 

How old is your water heater? Have you tested the heating element?

 

Hi,
I know it’s an old post but I want to say that it fixed my problem so I’m posting because it can help someone like me doing a google search ten years later.
I’m camping right now and the hot water at the kitchen sink was just warm (propane water heater on Fleetwood tent trailer). It usually is piping hot. Anyway my outdoor shower valves (hot and cold) were both open but the shower head was off (there is a switch on theoutdoor shower head to turn it on or off, even if the valves are open if the switch is off not water comes out). The water circuit is made that when both valves are open on the shower head, the cold and hot water mix and come out just warm at the kitchen sink. So closing the valves of the shower head immediately gave me hot water at the kitchen sink.
Thanks!

 

Just want to say to comment above, even if it’s an old post, it’s still relevant information today. If someone do a google search to troubleshoot they will likely find this post like I did. So no I don’t expect the original person posting this to read it, but yes it will still help someone