Whether you're shopping for a new RV water heater, trying to light yours, or looking for steps to replace your existing one, this article is for you. We are going to cover each of these elements of RV water heaters. This appliance is often overlooked and under appreciated, but is important because if you want to take hot showers, your RV water heater is vital. Before we continue, make sure to take the following maintenance steps periodically to ensure the best performance from your unit: Drain it, flush it, and clean it every year. Service and clean your water heater every year. And finally, try to avoid water supplies with a high concentration of minerals.
Before you use your RV water heaters for the first time, make sure you have water in the tank. Make sure the bypass valve is open, then connect the RV to a water source and make sure that water is flowing from the tap into the heating tank. Once the tank is full, it is safe to operate the unit.
Your RV water heaters may or may not have a gas pilot light. If so, you will need to light this everytime you set up camp. Or, it may have an automatic, direct spark ignition (DSI) system. This DSI would allow it to be operated by an electric switch in your RV. Here are the steps on how to light your RV's water heater:
1. Make sure there is no soot around the exhaust.
2. Turn off the circuit breaker
3. Locate the RV water heater plug on the PC board by following the wires from the tank.
4. Open the PC board cover
5. Pull the plug, then replug it in.
6. Reset the PC board switch from the RV cab.
DISCLAIMER: Consult your RV owners manual for actual steps. These are merely a guideline and we take no responsibility for any damage due to an incomplete lighting or RV water heater replacement.
Here are the steps to replace your RV water heaters (you maybe able to find good deals at RV salvage yards:
1. Turn off your fuel supply (LP or gas)
2. Turn off the water pump and water inlet
3. Drain the RV water heater
4. Remove the gas or LB tubing at the gas line and RV water heater
5. Remove all mounting screws from the frame
6. Pull the RV water heaters from the location, halfway.
7. Disconnect the hot and cold water lines from behind the heater.
8. Take the heater completely out of the RV.
9. Remove the old fittings to use on the new unit and clean off the old sealant.
10. Put teflon tape on the old sealants (which should now be clean) and install on the new water heater
11. Clean all sealant from the opening
12. Put the RV water heater in halfway
13. Connect the hot and cold water tubes.
14. Install new sealant around the mounting flange.
15. Install the RV water heater completely and trim the sealant
16. Reconnect the LP or gas tube.
17. Check the water lines and fuel tubes for leaks
18. Fill the RV water heater.
Some low end tank type RV water heaters limit you to only a few minutes supply of hot water. This may be suitable for you, but if you want instant and endless hot water in your RV, you may want to consider a tankless RV water heater. Or, you may take a look at an Atwood RV water heater, which are usually a lot lighter than other brands. They can also run off an electric source via a generator. They include an electric thermostat and an on/off switch.
A typical class C RV has a six gallon RV water heater tank or a ten gallon tank for larger recreational vehicles such as a class A RV or class B RV.
One feature that your RV water heaters may have is a bypass valve kit. This allows drainage to occur more easily for the tank. It allows for blockage of water to flow into the unit.
Hopefully this primer was helpful. Always remember to consult your RV manual, as the steps and descriptions here may not apply to your particular RV water heater.
