water pump/ water heater

New to camping and have questions? Wondering what the switch in the control panel does? Post your questions here and we'll (try) to answer them.
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babsy
Weekend Camper
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:12 pm
B190 Year: 1998
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water pump/ water heater

Post by babsy »

Newbie with another dumb question......does the water pump have to be on to fire up the water heater????? Can I leave the water heater on and turn off the water pump?

thanks
Babsy
slapthecat
Seasoned Traveler
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Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2013 4:18 pm
B190 Year: 1990
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Re: water pump/ water heater

Post by slapthecat »

The depends...
If you're "docked" and have a hose connected to your water inlet, then the pressure of the water coming from the hose will push the hot water from the water heater as it refills with cold water.
If you're using the onboard water tank, then you will need to keep the pump on to move water.
twistedskipper
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Location: Longmont, Colorado

Re: water pump/ water heater

Post by twistedskipper »

The key being: don't fire up the water heater unless you are SURE that it is filled with water, whether on propane or electric. The electric element can burn out quickly if it isn't immersed while on. I'm not sure what safety features the propane burner might have to shut itself off if the tank isn't filled.

Once you KNOW the water heater is filled, you could heat the water without having a city water hookup or having the on-board water pump on, so long as you aren't expecting to get any water flow out of it (of course), and so long as you don't somehow drain it.
--
Tim
1999 B190
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skater
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Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
B190 Year: 1991
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Re: water pump/ water heater

Post by skater »

twistedskipper wrote:The key being: don't fire up the water heater unless you are SURE that it is filled with water, whether on propane or electric. The electric element can burn out quickly if it isn't immersed while on. I'm not sure what safety features the propane burner might have to shut itself off if the tank isn't filled.
Good advice. I made this mistake in our trailer after I winterized it the first time. No apparent damage from running the water heater dry, but I wouldn't recommend it. (I think it basically just cycled off really quickly because the metal tank heated up.)
1991 Airstream B190 - bought, 2005; sold, 2011; bought 2017
1995 Airstream Excella 30' trailer

WBCCI #13270, Washington, DC Unit
babsy
Weekend Camper
Posts: 36
Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2016 9:12 pm
B190 Year: 1998
WBCCI: 0

Re: water pump/ water heater

Post by babsy »

how do I know when there is water in the water heater before turning it on? If I let the open the the valve to the hot side of the facet does that fill that tank ...then I can turn on the hot water heater?

thanks
Babsy
BOBandDEB
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B190 Year: 1994
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Location: Gila Bend, Az

Re: water pump/ water heater

Post by BOBandDEB »

You are correct. Simply turn on your water pump or connect to city water, then open the hot water valve on you sink or bathtub until all air is expelled from the water lines. CAUTION! if there is air in the lines it can really squirt out of the faucet with a lot of force!
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