Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on April 14, 2011, 10:10:16 am

Title: Water heater
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on April 14, 2011, 10:10:16 am
The pressure relief valve failed last nite and as a result 1/2 a tank of water was dumped Thru the valve before i realized that the water pump was constantly running.
This AM I replaced it, I could not find a 1/2 " 150 PSI valve so I replaced bit with a 125psi. No big deal except for limited space to get a wrench on t.
Title: Re: Water heater
Post by: J. D. Stevens on April 14, 2011, 10:46:27 am
The pressure relief valve failed last nite and as a result 1/2 a tank of water was dumped Thru the valve before i realized that the water pump was constantly running.
...

D'oh! That's annoying. An advantage to the old water pump in our coach is that you KNOW when it is running. The only time you might not notice it is if something even louder is running. It's pretty easy to notice if there is a leak in the pressurized system.

Was the replacement easy to find at a hardware store?
Title: Re: Water heater
Post by: John Haygarth on April 14, 2011, 10:49:45 am
The pressure relief valve failed last nite and as a result 1/2 a tank of water was dumped Thru the valve before i realized that the water pump was constantly running.
This AM I replaced it, I could not find a 1/2 " 150 PSI valve so I replaced bit with a 125psi. No big deal except for limited space to get a wrench on t.
Now that you have one on why not take it apart and clean it out. I have done that a few times for other people while away in RV parks in Mexico (not available easily down there so we have to fix everything) and it has always been  calcium or hard water build up around the seal. They are easy to fix, and if that does not fix it, well at least you have had something to do and understand them better than before doing it! Just make sure to put a bit of Liquid teflon or? on the thread when re-assembling.
Title: Re: Water heater
Post by: Jon Twork on April 14, 2011, 06:53:41 pm
I am curious as to why you felt you had to replace it. Was it weeping after the initial blowoff?

Regards,
Jon Twork
Title: Re: Water heater
Post by: Barry & Cindy on April 14, 2011, 11:22:55 pm
To let us know when our water pump is running when we don't have any faucets open, we have a piezo buzzer inside that sounds off when pump is actually running.
And to keep releases from temperature-pressure valve from putting water inside compartment bay, we connected a hose from TP valve through the floor of the compartment, so water drains on ground.

Atwood sells a correct smaller TP replacement valve for our water heaters.
Title: Re: Water heater
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on April 16, 2011, 11:09:48 am
Jon, The spring failed in the valve and/or calcium built up under the seat, it opened under pump pressure and then did not close.I had trouble last winter in FL when it would weep, I would snap it closed and it held until today.  Found replacement at Local Ace Hardware. When I get home I'll take old one apart.
Title: Re: Water heater
Post by: Jon Twork on April 16, 2011, 08:28:27 pm
In the past, I have placed the offending pressure valve in some CLR (Calcium, Lime, Rust) cleaner available at your grocery store. Cleans great in thirty minutes.  I used to use Hydrochloric Acid (Muriatic) but it seems hard to find these days.
Regards,
Title: Re: Water heater
Post by: Dave Head on April 16, 2011, 11:31:18 pm
Pool acid.