Yahoo Message Number: 109877 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109877)
Hello Group of Experts on all things Country Coach:
Three weeks ago, we went to Chula Vista RV Resort (great place to visit San Diego area) and had hot water for the whole week. Then, the rig was in storage for several weeks and we took it out Sunday and out-of-the-blue, no hot water. It is not critical because the Hydro-hot works fine but how can something stop working when you are not even using it?
Is there a fuse somewhere that might have gone bad? Is there something else to consider?
Shirley OBrien
Intrigue 2006
Yahoo Message Number: 109879 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109879)
Did you turn off the breaker when in storage and forget to flip it back on? Check house circuit breaker panel. You might also have a separate switch to turn on the water heater.
Notone of these, well if that's all good you can start testing whether you are getting power to the heating element. If the answer to that is yes and your water still isn't heating the element is likely the cause.
Look for a troubleshooting section in the pamphlet provided with the heater. Don't have one, well look it up on line if it's atwood. http://www.askforatwood.com/water-heaters.asp Then their is all the videos on YouTube on the subject should you want to trouble shoot it yourself. Good luck, hope it was something simple.
Alex Ritchey 2000 CC Affinity B&B 42' #5773
Yahoo Message Number: 109880 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109880)
The Magna electric hot water system has "red hat" solenoid valves in it (my Magna has two under the bathroom sink hidden panel). I am not sure about the Intrigue, but I would imagine they would need them, as when you turn on the electric water heat, they are energized and change the plumbing flow of hot water from the Hydro Hot diesel heating to electric water heating. These valves have a little diaphragm with a bleed hole in them to utilize the water pressure to force them closed. The bleed hole is very small, and can be easily plugged with calcium salts, particularly on the hot water side with more concentrated solids. Not using them (like in storage) allows the calcium salts to sit still and form, plugging the bleed hole, making them inoperable, so no electric hot water. Take the top of the red hat off (four ΒΌ"x 20 bolts) and use a little paper clip or awl to clean the bleed hole. It is very easy. If it is plugged, you will see it, very obvious, white calcium salts. I then work the diaphragm a little to be sure it is clear. Put it all back together, and voila, you have hot water! The trick, as is often the case with these coaches, is to find where the red hat valves are located... Note, I have also had this issue with the coach drain valves not closing all the way, particularly on the hot water side.
Greg
06 Magna 6642
Yahoo Message Number: 109883 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109883)
Shirley,
The exact same thing happened to us. One day hot water the next day, no hot water.
What mine ended up being is a one way valve on the outside of my hydro hot. it allows water that is heated to the coach, but the valve has a spring that only allows the water to go in one direction only. That small spring lost it's tension or broke and would not allow any water to go into my coach. None of my faucets had any water or just a small amount to come out.
Not sure if you have the same problem, but it might give you or the repair person something to look at.
Dave
Yahoo Message Number: 109884 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109884)
There's a one way check valve that goes bad
Yahoo Message Number: 109888 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109888)
Another good reason to use an on-board water softener.
Lee (leozbrowski@... (leozbrowski@...)) VP Publications, CCI
2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13
Yahoo Message Number: 109893 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109893)
I use an inline filter coming into the unit as well as the whole system filter inside the coach. There should be little to no sediment after this. Cost lot less than installing an new water heater.
Yahoo Message Number: 109896 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109896)
The inline filter is good, but only removes sentiment. The little white solids plugging bleed holes in the red hats solenoid valves are from dissolved minerals in the water (calcium, magnesium, salts) and only water softening will remove those. I use an inline filter, and also just clean my red hats from time to time.
Yahoo Message Number: 109897 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109897)
Indeed, but I'm talking about dissolved mineral build-up from hard water, thus the need for a water softener.
Lee (leozbrowski@... (leozbrowski@...)) VP Publications, CCI
2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13
Yahoo Message Number: 109898 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109898)
OK will that happen even if you have the filters?
Yahoo Message Number: 109899 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109899)
What softener do you recommend?
Yahoo Message Number: 109900 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/109900)
Over time dissolved hard water dissolved minerals crystallize in all lines, slowing flow, clogging small orifices. I use an On-The-Go softener. Been in service 12 years, works like new. I also have a sediment filter in line before the softener.
You can find the product at Amazon ... Amazon.com: On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable 16,000 Grain RV Water Softener:... (https://www.amazon.com/Go-OTG4-DBLSOFT-Portable-Grain-Water-Softener/dp/B00KVPNVJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497116699&sr=8-1&keywords=On-The-Go+softener)
Lee (leozbrowski@... (leozbrowski@...)) VP Publications, CCI
2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13