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03-05-2017, 09:20 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2016 21'
Posts: 156
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Water heater high pitch squealing when heating
We recently noticed a high-pitched squealing when our water heater is heating. It stops once it has come up to temperature. Any ideas what the problem might be? It works fine. We are just concerned that something may be wrong.
This happens while we are plugged into electric by the way.
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03-05-2017, 09:39 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,234
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maury&Julie
We recently noticed a high-pitched squealing when our water heater is heating. It stops once it has come up to temperature. Any ideas what the problem might be? It works fine. We are just concerned that something may be wrong.
This happens while we are plugged into electric by the way.
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It might be the pressure/heat relief value letting off pressure as the tank heats from cold to hot and the water expands a bit. We found that the valve would often drip during the first heating cycle, but turning on the hot water at a tap relieved the pressure enough that the dripping stopped immediately. Ours would sometimes make some noise like you describe.
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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03-05-2017, 09:42 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,260
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Squeals
Have you taken the cover off the the water heater panel when you hear the noise? That might help you pinpoint the source. My only thought might be some air escaping from the pressure relief valve as pressure comes up in the tank. With the system cold, I would flip the pressure relief valve a couple times to encourage a tight seal. Also checking for a very minor leak in the valve would be in order. They do corrode and fail on occasion. That's all I got.
Dave
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03-05-2017, 09:48 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Westcliffe, Colorado
Trailer: 2010 EggCamper (#083); 2017 Escape 21 (#053); 2016 F-150 5.0L FX4
Posts: 1,765
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave
... With the system cold,...
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Just to emphasize Dave's "cold" water check. Be extra careful with that pressure relief valve if the water is already hot. You could get a painful face-full.
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03-05-2017, 09:52 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2016 21'
Posts: 156
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Thanks for the ideas Dave & Eric. Some sort of leak is a very logical guess.
I took the cover off and flipped the pressure relief valve a couple of times. It changed the pitch of the squealing (lowered it) when it was open but it went back to squealing when it was closed. Thanks for the warning, Dave. Sounds like I got lucky. The water wasn't yet very hot.
Next, I will check to see if it happens on propane. Don't know why that would make a difference. Also, we're hooked up to water (with a regulator). I want to see if it happens when we're not. So more investigation...
And who knows, it may just stop. I love problems that go away by themselves.
Thanks again!
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03-05-2017, 02:35 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19', 2010 Toyota Tacoma TRD DCLB 4X4
Posts: 49
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Have had similar experience to your squealing on a household 220V electric hot water heater on heating very cold water. The heater would make noise when the element "kicked in" when being refilled with very cold water. Also found the squealing to be related to the amount of calcium build up on the element, when it was replaced shortly after with a new element.
Shannon
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03-06-2017, 09:40 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2016 21'
Posts: 156
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It's not doing it now, so I suspect it may have to do with the cold water, or the element. If/when I figure it out I'll let you know. Thanks for the ideas, guys!
We're fairly new at this so it's really helpful to know if problems are "normal" with a simple solution or "odd" with a sometimes challenging diagnosis. Sounds like this one's in the "odd" category.
Thanks again!!
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03-06-2017, 09:48 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,373
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If it only happens when on electric, I agree with Shannon - there is some calcium or other mineral build up in the heating element that is causing the noise.
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03-06-2017, 11:29 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: North of Danbury, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21C
Posts: 3,033
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Chromolox sells a water heater element that has a low watt density and is made with incoloy . It will take running dry or heavy lime / mineral build up far better than a standard element.
Our water at home is quite hard and after replacing several water heater elements , I switched to the incoloy element.
Ten years on the same element without any problems
They are more expensive .
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03-06-2017, 12:15 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2016 21'
Posts: 156
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Interesting! This raises more questions.
1. Is replacing the element easy? Sounds like something I should check.
2. Is there any danger to the system from using an element with mineral buildup?
3. Steve, where did you buy the Chromolox element? I would like to check into it.
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03-06-2017, 12:58 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,234
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With you trailer being so new I'd be surprised if you have a lot of build up. Before buying anything or trying anything large scale, I'd recommend trying everything simple first. I used to go out and release the valve and that made it stop, but then realized just turning on the hot faucet reduced the pressure and made it stop also.
Unless it only does it only electric and not on LP, I'd say that is the most likely cause and is quite common and nothing serious to worry about.
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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03-06-2017, 01:18 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: North of Danbury, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2018 Escape 21C
Posts: 3,033
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maury&Julie
Interesting! This raises more questions.
1. Is replacing the element easy? Sounds like something I should check.
2. Is there any danger to the system from using an element with mineral buildup?
3. Steve, where did you buy the Chromolox element? I would like to check into it.
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1) No it is not difficult to change unless the threads are badly rusted . You will need an 1 1/2" socket , extension and ratchet.
I put anti seize on the threads to make element removal easier .
The element is positioned behind the propane burner tube which must be removed to access the element.
2) Mineral buildup causes poor heat transfer from the element to the water . It also causes the element to overheat shortening element life
3) I bought my heater element at Grainger's
I flush my water heater tank out and clean the buildup off the element yearly .
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03-06-2017, 04:46 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2016 21'
Posts: 156
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Thanks for the help, Eric and Steve. We have had the trailer a year now but have lived in it full time since Oct. So it gets used a lot, like every day. We're loving it.
Wish we were retired but we're working from it. A 21 and a Clam is a great replacement for a house. Working hard but at least we're enjoying the country. Went paddling amongst the alligators today in Palmetto SP in Louisiana. Beats the heck out of a coffee break! Wakes you right up!
I'll try the pressure release trick. I will also see if we have the same issue with propane next time we're boondocking.
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03-06-2017, 04:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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I can't imagine you would have any mineral buildup on a trailer that young, especially if you are using California water.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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03-06-2017, 05:39 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19', 2010 Toyota Tacoma TRD DCLB 4X4
Posts: 49
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Sorry to take the thread off topic but...
" Wish we were retired but we're working from it. A 21 and a Clam is a great replacement for a house."
What is a Clam?
To me it is a beer and Clam (beer and Clamato juice)
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03-06-2017, 05:54 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smac2
Sorry to take the thread off topic but...
" Wish we were retired but we're working from it. A 21 and a Clam is a great replacement for a house."
What is a Clam?
To me it is a beer and Clam (beer and Clamato juice)
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Here is one
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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03-06-2017, 06:00 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Portland, OR, Oregon
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 #8
Posts: 437
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smac2
Sorry to take the thread off topic but...
" Wish we were retired but we're working from it. A 21 and a Clam is a great replacement for a house."
What is a Clam?
To me it is a beer and Clam (beer and Clamato juice)
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This kind of Clam?
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03-06-2017, 06:02 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, Washington
Trailer: 2016 21'
Posts: 156
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That's it, Jim. We got the big monster and love it. I call it our "slide-out."
Sorry. Off topic, I know.
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03-06-2017, 06:17 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maury&Julie
That's it, Jim. We got the big monster and love it. I call it our "slide-out."
Sorry. Off topic, I know.
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I took the big monster King back and got the smaller Queen sized clam...
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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03-06-2017, 07:37 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maury&Julie
Interesting! This raises more questions.
1. Is replacing the element easy? Sounds like something I should check.
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For future reference here is a video for element replacement on a Suburban water heater:
FYI I replaced one and got away with a regular socket that when pressed against the sheet metal it flexed enough inward to allow enough bite on the element fitting to remove and reinstall. That said it is always best to have the right tool for a job and I recommend the purpose made socket with the thin wall.
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