Water too hot when using electric mode on water heater?

[LJY]

water leaks out of the escape vent when I use the electric mode of water heater.
is there a way to lower the temperature so water doesn't escape and drench the area?

[cpaharley2008]

Turn off the electric for awhile. When using propane only water heaters I turn mine on for an hour each morning and then turn it off. Next morning the water is still warm.

[thoer]

That happens on ours when it first heats up, but all I need to do is open a hot faucet for a second or two to release some pressure. Does yours do it all the time or just then?

[PGDriver]

Just open the hot water tap and release some pressure once or twice while it's heating up, it should then quit.


Cheers
Doug

[rubicon327]

If it is the Suburban SW6DE the water temperature is not adjustable. It is a fixed 130F. The high limit cut out is fixed at 180F and relief valve will open at 210F or 150 psi. It is likely the pressure build up during heating of the water is what is causing weeping of the valve, but it would happen regardless of fuel source. See attached.

[steve dunham]

Most RV water heaters have a fixed thermostat ( Not adjustable)
The temperature is set at the factory probably for safety reasons
The OTP relief valve on our 6 gallon water will sometimes expel water on startup. Also small pieces of debris or scale sometimes get stuck in the OTP's valve seat causing it to drip constantly
Never considered it a major problem unless it was continually dripping water .

[Iowa Dave]

With the water heater off and no HOT water in the tank and the hot water tank full of cold water you can flip the lever on the pressure relief valve so it sticks straight out and bleed some water past the sealing face and most times flush away a little piece of calcium or slag of some sort to clean up the faces. We always called it "exercising the valve". Then. Reseat it by flipping the lever back down. Heat the water and hopefully it will quit leaking. If not you can buy a new valve and install it. They do spit a little water at heat up times now and again as was posted too.
Dave

[LJY]

Thanks all,
It seems to constantly vent water in electric mode only.. but I need to double-check. I've been approached a couple of times by concerned neighbors who thought my water heater was leaking.