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12-02-2020, 11:12 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Livingston
Posts: 40
M.O.C. #25043
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Hot water heater hums
My hot water makes a "humming" sound when hot water is asked for anywhere in the rig. I tried to Burp it using the pressure relief valve outside, no different. I have easy access to the back of the heater which is where I think the noise is coming from. Any thoughts??
Ed
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12-02-2020, 11:15 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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It may be that you are getting a buildup of lime etc. from hard water in your tank and a tiny amount may even be blocking your exit valve enough to create the hum.
__________________
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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12-02-2020, 12:00 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,839
M.O.C. #22835
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Running water in any pipe system will make humming sounds. If you have good water flow from the faucet, I do not think you have any problems going on.
__________________
History is not about the past, it's an explanation of the present.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
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12-02-2020, 12:31 PM
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#4
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Livingston
Posts: 40
M.O.C. #25043
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I have had problems with calcium in the past. Started using a water softener to help along with t filters before the softener. Anyone know if there is a backflow preventer on these heaters?
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12-02-2020, 12:44 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,392
M.O.C. #6433
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Something new? Could be a check valve on the WH outlet not opening properly. Valves of any kind can make a noise from a hum to a squeal.
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Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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12-02-2020, 01:45 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,728
M.O.C. #7992
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Experienced the same thing years ago. It was build up on the check valve on the out line of the water heater. Replaced it and it went away. Now it is humming again but mine is such a bitch to get to decided to live with the hum.
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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12-02-2020, 02:44 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,776
M.O.C. #12947
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amyed
I have had problems with calcium in the past. Started using a water softener to help along with t filters before the softener. Anyone know if there is a backflow preventer on these heaters?
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Yes. As has been said, there is a check valve on the upper hot water outlet. It is needed for the winterizing system when you bypass the water heater, it closes so cold water can not re-enter the tank. This link will show you the check valve that is probably causing your humming water heater. It will be available at most hardware or plumbing stores.
https://www.trekwood.com/products/13...-2Mpt-x-1-2Mpt
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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12-05-2020, 05:22 PM
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#8
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Established Member
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Livingston
Posts: 40
M.O.C. #25043
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Thanks for that info. My wife wants the noise to go away. I'll have to see what I can do to get at it. I have a small hole that is covered with paneling. I can see the fitting but will have to open a big hole on the wall on other side in the cabinet big enough to access the fitting. Wish me luck. Thanks again everyone.
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12-06-2020, 07:24 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bastrop
Posts: 2,892
M.O.C. #20753
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Well teach it the words of the song.
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Mocha, one-eyed toothless, hurricane survivor, Pirate dog
2019 20th Anniversary Edition 3701LK
B&W 20K for Ford OEM Puck
2018 Ford F-350 Lariat CCLB PSD DRW KJ5CQH
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12-06-2020, 08:44 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Posts: 2,728
M.O.C. #7992
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When opening a bigger hole beware. I had to get a pretty long cheater bar on the wrench to break loose the check valve. I gained access by removing the wall separating the storage area from the underbelly.
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2006 3000RK
2009 Ram 2500
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12-09-2020, 04:21 PM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: cottonwood
Posts: 10
M.O.C. #16025
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I have a hum occasionally when running water heater on electric. If I remove and clean excess " barnacles from the anode rod, the noise goes away for quite awhile. This comment would only apply if it is quiet when using LPG and makes noise on electric.
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12-09-2020, 08:47 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 531
M.O.C. #26851
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When you get your hum fixed, check your anode rod in case it needs replacement. I recently discovered my hot-water heater did not have one. Never had one from the factory so I did install one. Luckily, I don’t appear to have any calcium build up. If you have calcium build up you can treat it with white vinegar and flush it out with some fresh water. Works well.
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12-09-2020, 09:49 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikelff
When you get your hum fixed, check your anode rod in case it needs replacement. I recently discovered my hot-water heater did not have one. Never had one from the factory so I did install one. Luckily, I don’t appear to have any calcium build up. If you have calcium build up you can treat it with white vinegar and flush it out with some fresh water. Works well.
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Just make sure you need one. One type of water heater does and the other doesn't. Our Montana needs one, but the water heater in the HC shouldn't have one.
__________________
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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12-10-2020, 01:34 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 531
M.O.C. #26851
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DQDick
Just make sure you need one. One type of water heater does and the other doesn't. Our Montana needs one, but the water heater in the HC shouldn't have one.
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Well, this is interesting. My dealer said I should install on if it didn’t have one. Can you tell me which ones don't need one? It can’t hurt to put one in, but if I really don’t need one that would be good to know if mine is one that doesn’t need one. Thanks!
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12-10-2020, 02:11 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,776
M.O.C. #4831
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Suburban water heaters have a steel tank and use an anode. Atwood Water heaters have a glass tank and don't have, nor need, an anode.
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Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB
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12-10-2020, 02:56 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Lamesa
Posts: 629
M.O.C. #26010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikelff
Well, this is interesting. My dealer said I should install on if it didn’t have one. Can you tell me which ones don't need one? It can’t hurt to put one in, but if I really don’t need one that would be good to know if mine is one that doesn’t need one. Thanks!
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Carl explained the why of having one if you have a Suburban but the other why (question) I would have is why the dealer would just make a blanket statement like that without qualifying it by specifying tank type/brand?? Maybe they just made an assumption.... 
__________________
Danny and Susan wife of 55 years
2019 Ram Laramie 3500 6.4 4x4 CC 4.10 SRW
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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12-10-2020, 03:05 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,392
M.O.C. #6433
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl n Susan
Suburban water heaters have a steel tank and use an anode. Atwood Water heaters have a glass tank and don't have, nor need, an anode.
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More specifically, Suburban tanks are glass lined steel. Atwood are glass clad aluminum. The steel is the problem. It needs the anode rod. Aluminum does not.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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12-10-2020, 04:55 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Keller
Posts: 531
M.O.C. #26851
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Thank you for the explanation. I’ll definitely check it out next time I go to the RV, which will be in the next few days. I noticed at the dealer all of their new water heaters had anode in them so perhaps thats why they said that. The 5er has been winterized and heater empty and open so the anode rod I bought is still in the package and I still have the receipt. �� Going back of course.
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