Today's Project

Ron & Alice · 01-15-2010, 09:25 AM

Have you guys given up on us yet? Are you still rolling your eyes at our 'learning curve'??

Ok, so next is the hot water heater. Ron checked to see if there was water in the tank, and there was. He loosened the plug and was immediately showered with water. He didn't realize how much pressure was in there,

The plug must have been leaking at some point for the previous owner, because there was goop all over the plug. Of course, Ron removed the goop, reinstalled the plug, and it is still leaking.

BUT, the real problem is that when we turn on the 'electric' for the hot water tank, it doesn't heat up the water. What now???

Thank you SO much...

264SRinPA · 01-15-2010, 09:52 AM

Alice

Go to a hardware store and get a roll of teflon tape. Put 5-6 wraps around the threads. Looking at the end of the plug that goes in the tank, wrap the tape clockwise. As for the electric, the element could be burned out, or the breaker is not turned on. Does the water heater work on gas?

MACK C-85 · 01-15-2010, 09:53 AM

Yes, there is a lot of pressure on the system especially if your on city water or the pump is on. Don't feel bad, everybody's been there done that one.

Check the 110v breaker in your convertor box, first. A lot of people turn off the breaker when they drain the tank to keep from frying the element.

Then, check for a switch on the tank itself.

After that, the element could be bad. If you search on water heaters here you will find discussions on how to's for the element.

Ron & Alice · 01-15-2010, 10:04 AM

Ok, another problem solved! Thanks guys (again).

Alice

MACK C-85 · 01-15-2010, 10:47 AM

Is it heating water now, or do we know where to try to fix it!!!!

**Sunline Fan** · 01-15-2010, 12:32 PM

Hi Alice,

Was the goop on the plug a yellowish color? I've had some of that too. I think the plug originally came with a little bit of putty on it or the threads on the heater had some in it.

I have a pic of a slight mod that I did to the plug last year, which would probably show the stuff.

Edit: Here it is. I could never remember what size the plug was. I seem to always get it screwed up with the 13/16 lug size, so I think I usually guess 15/16. So I solved my problem... You can see the gunk back there by where it goes into the tank. I think I remember cleaning most of it off when I took the plug out to winterize this fall, and it was very gooey, like putty tape almost.

Before everyone gets worried, this was taken just after I drained the tank, after returning from Gateway.

Of course the best part is, if I decide I want to take it back to stock, all I need is a bit of Awesome and some elbow grease and it'll rub right away!

Jon

Ron & Alice · 01-15-2010, 06:13 PM

MACK - we have HOT water, thanks! I got to do dishes without boiling water...

JON - no, our goop was white, Ron figures someone used white tape to fix the problem and this was leftover. He put several turns of teflon tape on it, and so far so good.

Ok, can anybody tell me what to do with all the leftover Orange Blossom cake I bought at a garage sale today??

Gene · 01-15-2010, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron & Alice

Have you guys given up on us yet? Are you still rolling your eyes at our 'learning curve'??.....

Pardon me if I chuckle at that comment .... after several years I am still learning.

Gene

Ron & Alice · 01-18-2010, 05:20 PM

I am glad you are chuckling, Gene.

When we were boaters, we used to make sure we were anchored by 3-4:00 because the newbies come in after that. It was so much fun to watch them all try to anchor, and the fights and yelling we used to see (between Captain & anchorer) was often hilarious. We used to call it the "afternoon/evening entertainment", lol.

But, at least I am not afraid to ask...

Honda03842 · 01-18-2010, 07:41 PM

There is a similar event for RVers - trying to park their rigs in the dark.

I've ubfortanetly heard the sound of RVs debarking trees in the dark. It literally sends chills up your spine. Certainly the reason we never come in after dark.

Most amazing they don't wait until daylight to rectify the situation - more debarking.

Gene · 01-18-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron & Alice

I am glad you are chuckling, Gene.
.......
But, at least I am not afraid to ask...

I didn't mean that in a negative way. I think the 'learning curve' never ends and the chuckle is that I still look for answers after several years with my Sunline (and many years before that in a tent and popup). You are not alone in your quest for knowledge and as you said, you are not afraid to ask. That is a good thing and helps us all.

Gene

Ron & Alice · 01-20-2010, 06:18 PM

Gene - no offence taken, sweet thang!