bad water threw hot water system

[Peter Brennan]

Hi All
I am a new Expanda 17.56-2 owner and have had the van for 6 months now. When we first got it the water was fine. We have done 3 short trips now and the water out of the hot water system is now very bad and smells. I have tried flushing the system, but to no avail.
Has any one else had this problem, or have an answer about this.

 

[Xpandafan]

Looks like you've picked up a bit of dodgy water somewhere that's encouraged bacteria. I am assuming you have a rotten egg smell. You'll need to chlorinate your water system to get rid of it. The Suburban and Truma websites will give you suggestions as to how to do it. Make sure you do your water filler hose as well. There are also proprietary brand cleaners such as Tank Cleen available from Jayco or RV specialist stores.
Do you use a filter on your filling hose? Worth investing in one if you don't have already.

 

[macca]

Could be your anode gassing. When you tank is just sitting full of water for long periods, the anode doing its job can give off a gas.

You always should have a storage hot water system set to heat above 60degC, that will kill off bacteria. Easy way to test is run some hot water through PTR valve and check with thermometer. You want over 60. The tempering valve will reduce it down to around 50degC, so no use checking at a tap. I presume you are connected to mains and not tank.

Maybe a call to Jayco could give some advice.

Geoff

 

[Peter Brennan]

Hi Geoff

Thanks for the reply.

I rang Page Bros where I bought the van. They had not heard of this. They suggested I run hot water from the house through the hot water service for about 10 min and see if that gets rid of the taste and smell. I have done that, and remained the same. I only have water in the tanks when I travel but as soon as I get home I empty all the water out of the van and the hot water system.

So I still have no idea.

 

[Paul75]

G'day Peter,
Basically as @Xpandafan says, chlorination is what the manufacturer recommends.
This is an extract from the Suburban Hot Water System Manual.


ODOR FROM HOT WATER SYSTEM

Odor from the hot water system is not a service problem and many water supplies contain sufficient amounts of sulphur to produce an odor. The odor is similar to rotten eggs and is often referred to as “sulphur water”. It is not harmful - only unpleasant to smell. Sulphur water can be caused by a chemical action or by bacteria. The solution to eliminate is chlorination of the water system. Add about six (6) ounces of chlorinated common household liquid bleach to each 10 gallons in the water tank. Then run the chlorinated water throughout the system, opening each faucet one at a time until you smell the chlorine. Let the RV sit for a few days and the chlorine should take care of the problem. Then you will need to take care of the chlorine. Remove the chlorine by flushing the system with fresh water. This may take several attempts. You may consider adding a filtering system that removes chlorine and prevents sulphur water. If the sulphur or rotten egg smell continues, flush the system once again as described above and replace anode rod as necessary.

Hopefully this helps. Goodluck.

Paul.

 

[Peter Brennan]

Thanks for your advise. I will try this.