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04-14-2013, 11:55 PM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Montclair
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #10650
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Water Heater
When not using the trailer for a few months, I always drain the fresh water, grey and black tanks. I also drian the hot water heater and change the anode if needed. Is it recommended to store the water heater full or empty? Don't know if one way is better then the other. Any ideas?
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04-15-2013, 01:38 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,707
M.O.C. #7992
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I don't know what is best but I always store mine empty. Emptying the tank allows me to wash any crud out of the bottom of the tank. I would think empty would prevent scale build up on the tank as well as the electric heat element. I also pour a couple of gallons of fresh water in all three holding tanks. Someone told me it prevents drying and cracking of the seals at the dump valves. Jim
__________________
2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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04-15-2013, 02:08 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: silver creek
Posts: 1,507
M.O.C. #7770
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we store it empty,the water gets kind of "stinky" when it sets for a while.
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04-15-2013, 02:14 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
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Empty I would no way store full! Just my opinion
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04-15-2013, 02:41 AM
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#5
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Garland
Posts: 450
M.O.C. #10688
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If I was going to not use the rv for several weeks I would drain the tank and blow-out the water lines with air. Once I was ready to use it again I would sterilize the system with a little bleach.
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04-15-2013, 03:13 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winfield
Posts: 7,327
M.O.C. #6846
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The only time I empty the water heater is during the winterization process. Rig will sit for a few weeks without use. Have never had a problem to date. With that said, we do not use water from the rig plumbing for cooking or drinking unless it goes through our Zero Water filter pitcher.
Bingo
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Bingo and Cathy - Our adventures begin in the hills of WV. We are blessed by our 2014 3850FL Big Sky (previous 2011 3750FL and 2007 3400RL) that we pull with a 2007 Chevy Silverado Classic DRW CC dually.
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04-15-2013, 03:20 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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Empty from our perspective on the water heater! If you leave it full of water you do get some really nasty smelling water when you start it up again and it also can cause a slime to form inside the tank which you would not appreciate when you turned it back on and wanted to use it. I wash the heater out with one of the wands for cleaning the bottom of the tank out both when I empty it and also again before heading back out and filling it again before a trip. Kylec2 has the right idea as to blowing the lines out and make sure you empty them at the low point drain also. I also leave a little water in each holding tank to prevent the seals from drying out. I also sterilize the lines and the fresh water tank before heading out each season. If we don't use the fresh water tank I make sure it gets sterilized at least twice a year. I do keep some water in that tank when on the road just for use when we don't have a rest area along the way.
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04-15-2013, 04:32 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location:
Posts: 2,156
M.O.C. #6920
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We have a Surburban water heater. Reading through the owner's manual they recommend no water in the water heater when unused for extended periods of time.
It further recommends replacing the anode yearly due to various water elements that contribute to early deterioration.
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04-15-2013, 04:40 AM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Before we went full time we did exactly what Dennis says. Having been in the restaurant business I don't let water set for extended periods anywhere. That includes draining our fresh water tank regularly now that we are full time.
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Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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04-15-2013, 05:02 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Cedar Rapids
Posts: 4,876
M.O.C. #1944
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As anyone can see there are a multitude of opinions. So, I'll add mine. If storing the rig, drain everything. I'm talking about long-term storage like over the winter season. If just from week to week, no need to drain.
Orv
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04-15-2013, 05:17 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,165
M.O.C. #6433
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Mine is always empty over the winter months. Full thru the travel season.
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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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04-15-2013, 01:58 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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We store it empty and empty it after each trip.
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04-15-2013, 06:40 PM
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#13
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New Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Montclair
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #10650
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Thanks for all of the great info. Empty it is.
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04-16-2013, 03:37 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Portland
Posts: 1,107
M.O.C. #8045
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Empty when storing for more than a week or two. I do believe there is a difference in water from different parts of country.
Here in the NW (Portland) I hear our water is filled with less undesirables than other parts of US.
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04-16-2013, 06:40 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Empty, flush and store the water heater when not in use. Don't forget the flush part - I purchased a wand to flush and I also use my cheapie blue water filter inline, so that it's flushed with some filtration. I found the anode lasts longer under these conditions and no more "sulphur water" issues either.
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04-16-2013, 09:41 AM
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#16
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: West Sand Lake
Posts: 267
M.O.C. #10232
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All good responses here. One additional advantage to emptying the tank is anode conservation. As long as the anode is submerged in water (hot or cold) in the tank it is working.(sacrificing itself to protect the tank). As long as the tank is empty, the tank will not corrode due to galvanic corrosion.
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04-17-2013, 01:07 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Asheville
Posts: 502
M.O.C. #1967
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Water won't go bad in a couple of weeks. If I were going to store it for a couple of months, I would drain it. For 2 - 3 wekks, no. Don't forget to turn the heater's off when draining.
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