Is it ok to leave bypass open?

[KernowDan]

Hi everyone, I tried searching for the answer to this question but couldn't find the answer. We recently got a 2013 Jayco 28BHS which we love. However, we do not love the burning temperature of the hot water, which my kids have complained is going to burn their skin off. I figured that if I open the bypass valve then the hot water mixes with some cold and the warm water temperature is good for washing hands. I then close it when we really need hot water. My question is this: is it ok to leave the bypass valve open all of the time? Am I damaging the water heater in any way?

Thanks!

 

[cavie]

You need to understand the word bypass. Water either goes thru the Water heater or it Bypasses it. You need to close the bypass at all times unless you are in storage or winterized at which time the heater will be empty. You need to learn how to temper the water. If the heater is in bypass and you empty it with the electric element ON you will burn it out. 

Turn on the cold first then add hot until the temp is right. Just like at home.  I have never heard anyone complain about too much hot water in an RV. You usually only have 6 gal to play with.

 

[skydivemark1]

there's also the option of not leaving the water heater on all the time.
We turn it on 20-30 minutes before shower or washing dishes and leave it off the rest of the day.
During these times of washing hands more often, I would think turning it on for 10-20 minutes every few hours would keep it warm enough.

 

[cavie]

there's also the option of not leaving the water heater on all the time.
We turn it on 20-30 minutes before shower or washing dishes and leave it off the rest of the day.
During these times of washing hands more often, I would think turning it on for 10-20 minutes every few hours would keep it warm enough.

Do you turn the one at home on and off?

 

[KernowDan]

Thanks for the suggestion skydivemark - that would save power usage too. Cavie - I think that our bypass is different from yours as the water still runs through the water heater but it also draws water from the cold water if left open. At least that's what it appears to do from inspecting the setup and leaving it open. I could be wrong though and will leave the bypass closed just in case. Thanks for the quick help everyone!

 

[skydivemark1]

Do you turn the one at home on and off?

Yes - I have a timer on it, comes on at 4am and off at 8am.

 

[skydivemark1]

Thanks for the suggestion skydivemark - that would save power usage too. Cavie - I think that our bypass is different from yours as the water still runs through the water heater but it also draws water from the cold water if left open. At least that's what it appears to do from inspecting the setup and leaving it open. I could be wrong though and will leave the bypass closed just in case. Thanks for the quick help everyone!

Yes it saves on electric usage. Even though the RV water heater uses significantly less power than the one at home. At home my electric bill went down about $15/month when I installed the timer - not to mention extending the life of the water heater & element.

 

[cavie]

Thanks for the suggestion skydivemark - that would save power usage too. Cavie - I think that our bypass is different from yours as the water still runs through the water heater but it also draws water from the cold water if left open. At least that's what it appears to do from inspecting the setup and leaving it open. I could be wrong though and will leave the bypass closed just in case. Thanks for the quick help everyone!

There is no difference in how any RV water heater works. Cold water goes in hot water comes out. Just like at home. At home you don'r bypass and drain it. Either the water goes thru the WH or it does not. There is no in between. There is differences in how many valves are used to do it but the result is the same. I have a check valve and 1 ball valve. The next system is two ball valves. The next is 3 ball valves.

 

[Heli_av8tor]

Have you checked the water temperature? Perhaps the temp sensor is bad.
Also, you may be able to get a lower temperature sensor.

 

[sadixon49]

The high water temp from an RV water heater is a "feature", and in most cases not adjustable. Because the WH is so small, they keep the temp up so that you can blend cold at the faucet and make your 6 gal WH behave as a much larger heater.

 

[John From Detroit]

What is the make and model of the water heater..

On atwood water heaters tere is (Modern units) a foam pad with T-stat and ECO printed on it, behind this are the thermostats  The actual T-Stat needs to TOUCH the tank if it does not then you get super hot water.. Now to tell if it's touching (without removing the tank) well you might get lucky with a Endoscope adapter on your phone or the pipe inspection device from Harbor Freight or with a mirror but it's not easy  Sounds Surburan. I don't know how they do the T-Stats

Standard T-Stat is 120 but you can get hotter ones

Atwood makes a "10 gallon in a six gallon hat" water heater.  What it does is heat to like 180 then use a thermostatic mixing valve to mix it down to 120...  So they make some very hot stats.

 

[Isaac-1]

We really need to know the model of the water heater to give a good answer, it is possible your thermostat is failing, if so this can lead to the temperature and pressure safety valve opening and it dumping scalding hot water down the side of your RV.

 

[Prior member]

Why not teach the kids to blend the hot and cold like the rest of us were told to do growing up

Jack L

 

[whiteva]

I replaced my shower faucet with one of these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT8l_L5mrsE

 

[Jim18655]

I did the same modification - best thing I ever did in the MH. Shower water was either freezing or scalding and now perfect. I think it was only about $45 and an afternoon of work.

 

[KandT-THOR]

Why not teach the kids to blend the hot and cold like the rest of us were told to do growing up

Jack L

How can they do that while they are using their phone?

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

To answer the question, yes you can leave the bypass "open", meaning water goes around the heater rather than through it (as cavie explained). But if you only cracked the valve partially open, water would take both paths. I'd call that a last resort method, though.  You need to determine if the water is indeed super-hot and possibly correct that.  RV water heaters aren't typically hotter than home water heaters - they are generally either 130 or 140 degrees. However, the heater is often very close to one of the faucets and may deliver water at very near the tank temperature.  That can be surprising. If the water is hotter than that, then a repair is needed (defective thermostat).

Are your faucets single handle (auto-mixing faucets) or separate hot & cold?  Maybe changing faucets would make life easier.    Do the kids know how to use the faucets to adjust water temperature?  They may be spoiled by the way the system works at home and too lazy to adjust their habits.  Some fatherly advice may be needed.