Re: [A/S] water heater problem

[Charlie/Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mark,

What you are describing is a classic case of incorrectly set water heater 
bypass valves. They are allowing cold water to bypass and mix with the 
heated water from the water heater. The normal thermostats on that water 
heater are fixed at 140 Deg. It is more common to complain that the hot 
water is to hot, not that it's too cold.

Airstream has since sometime in the Eighties included water heater bypass 
valves to simplify winterizing a coach. The bypass valve setup consists of 
three valves located on the back or side of the water heater. Two of the 
valves are located on the lines coming from the inlet and outlet fittings 
on the water heater. The third valve is located between the other valves 
and on the side of the valves away from the tank fittings. The first two 
valves control water flow in and out of the heater. The third valve 
redirects the water from the cold line to the hot line bypassing the heater. 
If this third valve is left open when the other two are also open the water 
coming out of the heater will be mixed with cold water resulting in lukewarm
"hot" water.
Most of the valves Airstream has used are "90 Deg" valves. This means they 
only turn 90 Degree's. If the handle lines up with the pipes attached to the 
fittings it is open. If the handle crosses the lines the valve is closed.
From inside the coach locate the back of the water  heater. Depending on 
the age of the coach this will be either in the bathroom or galley. On some 
of them there may be a door or cover concealing it. Verify the valve handle 
positions and you should be good to go. Newer coaches with an outside 
utility faucet will have a fourth valve located below the water heater as a 
shutoff

Charlie