Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question  (Read 680 times) previous topic - next topic

86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Hello...  sometimes you have to ask " stupid" questions...

On our old ( new to us) 86 GV... we have checked out all of the house systems for our Thanksgiving trip to Texas Hill Country.. but we have a " simple' question about the Hot Water Heater... 

Where does the water come from to HEAT up ...?  Is there a separate fill tank for the HWH ?  When you turn on the water pump using the fresh water tank does water pass thru the HWH on the way to the hot water faucets/shower?

But if using just city water pressure... how does the system work...   

Thanks for the help... 
edward
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV 33 tag

Reply #1 –
Cold and hot water both come from EITHER shore water or from the potable water tank using the on-board pump.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 86 GV 33 tag

Reply #2 –
There's an obscure valve somewhere that must be turned the right direction.  I don't know where it is on your coach.  Be sure there is water flowing before turning on the water heater.
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: 86 GV 33 tag

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Cold and hot water both come from EITHER shore water or from the potable water tank using the on-board pump.

Ok.  We have not used our HWH yet..  but when we do turn it on, its automatic pilot lighting... does it pull water in from source to heat ?  Or does it automatically pull water to fill up a HWH small tank for use on demand ? 
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #4 –
You will need the fresh water tank full and the 12v water pump running.  You should be able to run water through all the faucets before lighting the heater.   

Has the coach been winterized or drained?  Do you know if the fresh water tank is full?

Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: 86 GV 33 tag

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Subsilked –
Ok.  We have not used our HWH yet..  but when we do turn it on, its automatic pilot lighting... does it pull water in from source to heat ?  Or does it automatically pull water to fill up a HWH small tank for use on demand ?
If you have been using the water the HWH will have water in it. It stays full even with it turned off.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: 86 GV 33 tag

Reply #6 –
Quote from: craneman –
If you have been using the water the HWH will have water in it. It stays full even with it turned off.

Ok i will check. We have not used the HWW since it was purchased.  This coach came out of long term storage for purchase in San Diego and was not used more than at San Diego Bay Yacht Races and West Coast Grand Prix car races..

Sounds like there is a valve to open. Will check under the vanity in bathroom and under sink in kitchen... we are filling up our fresh water tank for texas trip tomorrow.. will run water thru the system.. find " Obscure" valve and open .. and fire up HWH once water is in the piping system. 
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #7 –
On one of ours the valve was up front in a floor panel between the seats.  That may have been on the U280.  I can't remember.
Rick & Rhonda
2003 U320 4220  Build #6199
Was
91 36' GV 300 Caterpillar, 92 40' U280 300 Cummins, 97 36' U295 300 Cummins, 2002
U320 450 Cummins
(Guess we're hooked)

The selected media item is not currently available.

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #8 –
On my 87 GV, there is a valve ( actually two valves) under the floor just as you step up into the drivers and passinger seating area, should be a little pull to lift up a trap door in the floor.
1 valve is to fill your on board water tank and or to use the city water for the coach, with the valve open it will fill the tank, with the valve closed it will energizethe city water system, the other valve (2) is to drain the coaches water tank.
Have you sanitized your tank after it's been in storage for so long, should be done at least once a year
1987 Grand Villa OREG 460 SBID

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Travelray –
On my 87 GV, there is a valve ( actually two valves) under the floor just as you step up into the drivers and passinger seating area, should be a little pull to lift up a trap door in the floor.
1 valve is to fill your on board water tank and or to use the city water for the coach, with the valve open it will fill the tank, with the valve closed it will energizethe city water system, the other valve (2) is to drain the coaches water tank.
Have you sanitized your tank after it's been in storage for so long, should be done at least once a year

our is a GAS Front Engine. ( old school). LOL.  All of our water valves are under one of the twin beds in the bedroom.  I will poke around tomorrow before leaving on our trip and see about valve running towards to HWH up near kitchen on exterior wall
  Yes,  we had sanitized our system just after our purchase.. 
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #10 –
Subsilked, you'll still have 2 valves, 1 for fill/city and 1 to drain.
To fill your HWH you need to turn on a hot water tap at a sink, run water through it till all the air is out of it, that's if the HWH was drained to begin with. (Drain plug outside on the HWH)
Enjoy your trip!

1987 Grand Villa OREG 460 SBID

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Johnstons –
There's an obscure valve somewhere that must be turned the right direction.  I don't know where it is on your coach.  Be sure there is water flowing before turning on the water heater.

  Not only flowing, but all the air out of it to.  Failure could lead to tank or element issues.  Open hot water faucet until no spitting.
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Johnstons –
On one of ours the valve was up front in a floor panel between the seats.  That may have been on the U280.  I can't remember.

  The same for a 1993 225
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #13 –
Yes, in order:

Close the fill valve (or the pump will just "recirculate" back to the tank).

Turn on water pump.

Open a hot water faucet and run until water/no air comes out.

Turn on or light water heater-- no first hand experience with that old a water heater-- don't know if it has an ignitor or if you have to light it.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #14 –
Before you fire the heater you should manually crack the pressure relief open and closed on the water heater. That way if it doesnt shut down the valve won't be seized shut as well.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #15 –
Quote from: its toby –
Before you fire the heater you should manually crack the pressure relief open and closed on the water heater.
This would be a good idea, assuming the pressure relief valve is fairly new and in good condition.  If, on the other hand, it is badly corroded (the part inside the tank) and plugged up with mineral deposits and sediment, then it probably won't close completely IF you can get it open.  Before trying this test, I would recommend having a replacement valve on hand, just in case.  Part number in link below fits the Atwood 6 gallon heater:

Part Number Collection

The valve on our coach was totally frozen - could not be opened.  I replaced it and also made a couple small improvements to our water heater.  We've since been very happy with the performance of the add-on electric heating element.

Hott Rod Installation, Atwood GH6-7E
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"
 

Re: 86 GV 33 tag. Hot Water Heater stupid question

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Moby –
  The same for a 1993 225
Ditto for our '93 U-240.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'