| Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87122] |
Thu, 03 June 2010 13:55  |
Jim
Messages: 8
Registered: January 2004
Location: Northern VA
Karma: 0
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Hello. On a recent trip I found radiator fluid dripping down the frame near the rear wheels. After a short investigation I discoved the hot water heater was leaking engine coolant on the fitting closest to the access door (inside bathroom). I made it home OK as I was not that far away but now have a problem that needs to be addressed.
Question:
Can I bypass the hot water heater by simply connecting the two hoses(feed and return) that come from the engine with a barbed coupler? I'm not in a possition to research, purchase, and install a hot water heater right now. It looks like a simple 5/8 or maybe 3/4 hose size.
Thanks in advance, Jim in Northern VA
75 26' glenbrook
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| Re: Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87123 is a reply to message #87122] |
Thu, 03 June 2010 14:03  |
GeorgeRud
Messages: 1380
Registered: February 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Karma: 0
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Yes, you can just bypass by connecting the two hoses, it just is a long loop in the water lines from the radiator.
George Rudawsky
Chicago, IL
75 Palm Beach
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| Re: Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87131 is a reply to message #87122] |
Thu, 03 June 2010 15:10 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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I had the heater hose fail by the Hot Water Heater when I was coming home from Florida. But i did not have dripping, It was POURING!
My emergency fix was to cut the hose in the engine compartment and loop it back to the engine.
My Fix was new hose and I installed bypass valves so I can valve out the back section when it fails again.
Real easy location, open the floor by the driver and it is on the right side.
Actually, It does not need to loop, just valve it, on both out going and incoming to isolate the leak.
Before my hose leak I had hoped it would never be a problem, now I am ready if the problem should occur again.
LarC ( We all get inventive as we learn about the GMC Motorhome )
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87137 is a reply to message #87122] |
Thu, 03 June 2010 16:40 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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I put a valve on mine to keep the bathroom from getting so hot. Plus I wanted to keep the plumbing there in case the next owner just has to have a hot shower on the road.
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87193 is a reply to message #87122] |
Thu, 03 June 2010 21:12 |
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I didn't know our coaches had a hot water heater. Mine has a water heater. I
fail to see why one would need to heat water that's already hot. Cold water,
yes.
Byron Songer
1978 Royale by Coachmen
Louisville, KY
Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
Jim Washburne wrote:
>
>
> Hello. On a recent trip I found radiator fluid dripping down the frame near
> the rear wheels. After a short investigation I discoved the hot water heater
> was leaking engine coolant on the fitting closest to the access door (inside
> bathroom). I made it home OK as I was not that far away but now have a
> problem that needs to be addressed.
>
> Question:
> Can I bypass the hot water heater by simply connecting the two hoses(feed and
> return) that come from the engine with a barbed coupler? I'm not in a
> possition to research, purchase, and install a hot water heater right now. It
> looks like a simple 5/8 or maybe 3/4 hose size.
>
> Thanks in advance, Jim in Northern VA
> 75 26' glenbrook
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87218 is a reply to message #87204] |
Thu, 03 June 2010 22:03 |
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Hung around Home Depot too much. It's a big joke there. Stop by some time
and tell them that's what you're looking for. See what the response is.
LOL
Emery Stora wrote:
> Byron -- you have stooped pretty low with that one! :)
>
>
>
> Emery Stora
>
> On Jun 3, 2010, at 8:12 PM, Byron Songer
> <bsonger@songerconsulting.net> wrote:
>
>> I didn't know our coaches had a hot water heater. Mine has a water
>> heater. I
>> fail to see why one would need to heat water that's already hot.
>> Cold water,
>> yes.
>>
>> Byron Songer
>> 1978 Royale by Coachmen
>> Louisville, KY
>> Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
>> Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
>>
>>
>>
>> Jim Washburne wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Hello. On a recent trip I found radiator fluid dripping down the
>>> frame near
>>> the rear wheels. After a short investigation I discoved the hot
>>> water heater
>>> was leaking engine coolant on the fitting closest to the access
>>> door (inside
>>> bathroom). I made it home OK as I was not that far away but now
>>> have a
>>> problem that needs to be addressed.
>>>
>>> Question:
>>> Can I bypass the hot water heater by simply connecting the two hoses
>>> (feed and
>>> return) that come from the engine with a barbed coupler? I'm not
>>> in a
>>> possition to research, purchase, and install a hot water heater
>>> right now. It
>>> looks like a simple 5/8 or maybe 3/4 hose size.
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance, Jim in Northern VA
>>> 75 26' glenbrook
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> GMCnet mailing list
>>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
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_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87254 is a reply to message #87122] |
Fri, 04 June 2010 07:59 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
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Tom Phipps lost his engine from that. didn't see it overheating until it was too late. he had cracked heads and a cracked cylinder on a brand new engine.
having those hoses seems like a high risk compared to having hot water all the time.
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
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| Re: Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87255 is a reply to message #87254] |
Fri, 04 June 2010 08:24 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Only one cracked head. But did destroy the engine.
Tom Phipps, with a spare "J" 455 head.
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87262 is a reply to message #87254] |
Fri, 04 June 2010 09:36 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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having those hoses seems like a high risk compared to having hot water all the time.
--------------------------------------------------------
When My hose failed, I was on the road. The only thing that saved me was when I stopped for gas I smelled antifreeze. ( BYRON, that is ANTI with FREEZE after it meaning freeze preventative, similar to Hot Water Heater but not the same )
I watch the temp guage so the engine did not get hot but would have been a challenge because I was not carrying a lot of extra water.
Immediately after I found the problem, I too thought about the hazard theory, but then I realized these coaches have ran 30 plus years and the numbers of failures don't pan out to hazard level. You just have to keep an eye on the guages when the engine is running.
LarC ( I have played with the idea of adding a buzzer for an audio warning, maybe I'll get to it when I find an extra " TUIT " )
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87280 is a reply to message #87270] |
Fri, 04 June 2010 12:31 |
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Even after it cools from traveling, the water heater still get to a
temperature suitable for scalding hogs the first cold snap in October.
Say, with the front wheel drive all you have to do is raise the front and
hook a rope from the drive wheel to the grinder and use it for making
sausage without working your arm to death. (Some of you won't understand but
you country boys will.)
As to a suitable replacement, anything without engine assist will do. Of
course, some are going to chime in about the tankless heaters. (They have
their own issues).
Byron
Jim Washburne wrote:
> My wife has always hated the near boiling water in the bathroom while on the
> road. I told her it was built in cleaning... she didn't buy it...
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--
Byron Songer
Full-timing to enjoy the USA
Former owner but still an admirer
GMC paint schemes at -
http://www.songerconsulting.net
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87285 is a reply to message #87193] |
Fri, 04 June 2010 13:35 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Hey, I thought I was the smartass around here! 
| Byron Songer wrote on Thu, 03 June 2010 19:12 |
I didn't know our coaches had a hot water heater. Mine has a water heater. I
fail to see why one would need to heat water that's already hot. Cold water,
yes.
Byron Songer
1978 Royale by Coachmen
Louisville, KY
Personal - http://web.me.com/bnsonger
Eastern States - http://www.gmceast.com
Jim Washburne wrote:
>
>
> Hello. On a recent trip I found radiator fluid dripping down the frame near
> the rear wheels. After a short investigation I discoved the hot water heater
> was leaking engine coolant on the fitting closest to the access door (inside
> bathroom). I made it home OK as I was not that far away but now have a
> problem that needs to be addressed.
>
> Question:
> Can I bypass the hot water heater by simply connecting the two hoses(feed and
> return) that come from the engine with a barbed coupler? I'm not in a
> possition to research, purchase, and install a hot water heater right now. It
> looks like a simple 5/8 or maybe 3/4 hose size.
>
> Thanks in advance, Jim in Northern VA
> 75 26' glenbrook
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87286 is a reply to message #87122] |
Fri, 04 June 2010 13:48 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I rebuilt my electric heater with a new sst tank from JimK made by the guy in Canada (apologies for not remembering his name) I have not hooked up the engine preheat yet, but I have the 50 ft of 5/8 ID hose to do this with and will be valving it like Randy Did. He says the bathroom is not as hot after a long drive. I would then only open the valve in the last 10 miles or so of a trip to heat the water if I desired Hot water upon arrival.
I may use a simple thermostat and a couple of solenoids to take care of this so it will be automatic, and with a bypass switch to shut it off completely. This way the engine heat will stop when the tank is at the desired temperature. I'm a bit surprised that nobody has done this yet...
... or have they?
Having hot water upon arrival is something that makes sense. I always see people fire up their water heaters at campsites when they arrive.
My old hose came apart in pieces. It is trely amazing that the hot water within is the only thing holding it all together. Same goes for all the other hoses under the hood that I have replaced this week. These hoses literally came out in chunks.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Hot Water Heater Bypass [message #87303 is a reply to message #87275] |
Fri, 04 June 2010 15:51 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Jim,
It would be helpful if you put the year and model of your coach in
your signature line. It make it much easier to help your with your
questions. The hot water heaters can be rebuilt and made better than
new. We just need to know what type it is, type 1 or type 2.
J.R. Wright
On Jun 4, 2010, at 1:04 PM, Jim Washburne wrote:
>
>
> Thanks. Does anyone have a recommendation for a replacement hot
> water heater other than the on demand unit?
>
> Jim
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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