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Old 07-02-2014, 08:08 PM   #1
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RV Hot Water Heater

Just wondering what is is your protocol for your RV hot water heater after a camping trip. How long will you let the water sit in your hot water heater before you drain it ?
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Old 07-02-2014, 08:16 PM   #2
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I don't drain mine until I put the trailer up for winter storage. Since I headed to Arizona for the winter this year, it has been over a year & a half since it was drained. When drained, it is a good idea to check the anode for wear - when more than 2/3rds gone it should be replaced.

On Edit - Also check for lumps of "White Stuff" in the bottom & use a hose to wash out..
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Old 07-02-2014, 08:22 PM   #3
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Same here, Mark. I drain it when I do the winterizing, then fill it back up for the summer the first time out in the spring.
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Old 07-02-2014, 08:22 PM   #4
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As Jon said.
This is my anode after five years. It's still good for a while yet, but they are cheap so I'll likely replace it next time I winterize. If you live in an area with hard water, you may have to replace more often.
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Old 07-02-2014, 08:44 PM   #5
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Thanks guys for your quick replays I guess I am just over thinking this about water safety. I know I will never use the RV hot water for making a cup of coffee but we do use it to wash the dishes we eat off from. Coming from a popup camper back ground I never had an hot water heater to think about maintaining.
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Old 07-02-2014, 08:55 PM   #6
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I used a bleach treatment a couple times to get the 'new' taste was out of the lines and tank, and have done so again about once every 2 years since as a preventative thing. There is zero bad taste to the water. We use it for everything other than drinking, including cooking and cleaning, with no issue at all.

A lot of it does have to do with the quality of your tap water to begin with, and even that of campgrounds if you use theirs. 90% of the water that has gone through our system is from our tap, and Calgary has very good tap water, I do drink it straight from the tap often.
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Old 07-02-2014, 10:29 PM   #7
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Hi Jim,
We too have very good municipality tap water that we use to fill are fresh water tanks with. But I have read couple of article that state it only takes six drops of ordinarily house hold bleach to kill some like 99.9 % of bacteria found in one gallon of water. So I think my game plan is going to be to add a little bleach and then fill and flush the tank be for each camping trip. Here are water only cost pennies per gallon so its more of a time thing then a money issue to just flush the tank before each usage.
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Old 07-03-2014, 12:31 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markvt View Post
Hi Jim,
We too have very good municipality tap water that we use to fill are fresh water tanks with. But I have read couple of article that state it only takes six drops of ordinarily house hold bleach to kill some like 99.9 % of bacteria found in one gallon of water. So I think my game plan is going to be to add a little bleach and then fill and flush the tank be for each camping trip. Here are water only cost pennies per gallon so its more of a time thing then a money issue to just flush the tank before each usage.
Bleach is a contact killer for microorganisms according to my in-house chemical engineer. Add 1/4 cup to a few gallons of water, drive around parking lots hitting the speed bumps, then drain it. Letting it sit in the tank improves nothing.
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Old 07-03-2014, 09:15 AM   #9
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Hi Charlie,
That's a great ideal about adding the bleach and then driving around to agitate the water in the tank for good cleaning. About those speed bumps do you think hitting them about 30 to 40 MPH would be good enough? Or would you recommend going faster
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Old 07-03-2014, 09:17 AM   #10
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I generally stay under 60 with ST tires............
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Old 07-03-2014, 09:29 AM   #11
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Charlie,
Man your good ! Last question do you where your sit belts and helmet when you are doing donuts in the parking lot with your trailer attached.
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