HWS UPDATE

Dougwe · Chief one feather

HWS UPDATE

patrol03 · Senior Member

Sounds good Doug,just don't burn yourself under that shower.

TheHeaths · Guru

Glad you have found it a worthwhile changeover Dougwe.

We have had our van for 4 years, and have the Suburban unit in it, and love it. Once you get used to the amount of water, it gives a good shower every time.

I prefer using our ensuite even in CP's, as it is nice to not have to remember all the bits and pieces when you go to the ablutions, and the shower is always at the right temperature and pressure.

Felicia · Guru

Doug, great to hear you've finally got hot water. Don't stay in the shower too long.

Lynda

RustyD · Guru

Just got this e-mail.

The most common Hot Water System in Australian Caravans and RVs is the Suburban. They need some simple maintenance for safety and efficiency.

Check out this short video from CaravansPlus, demonstrating what you need to inspect and why. Click:

www.caravansplus.com.au/guides/suburban-hot-water-system-maintenance-a-74.html

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks for that Rusty. I have been checking out a few Utube clips and when in Melbourne today picked up one of those rinsing gismo's. All seems easy enough, even for me to do smile

Keith P · Senior Member

Dougwe wrote:
Thanks for that Rusty. I have been checking out a few Utube clips and when in Melbourne today picked up one of those rinsing gismo's. All seems easy enough, even for me to do

Just remember to ALWAYS lift the pressure release lever on the side of the unit BEFORE you have a play with that gizmo..otherwise you will wear it !!!And don't ask me how I know this either.....LOL .You have been warned ...(snicker, snicker )

Cheers Keith

Cruising Cruze · Guru

Hi Doug

Good on you mate great that it is fixed now
and don't forget that by the time you need an new anode to take the pressure off first

Regards John

Dick0 · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Well, I'm back in VIC and had the Continuous Flow HWS removed and replaced with a Suburban Gas/Electric 22lt HWS. WOW! Hot water at last. Works a treat too. Love it and worth the expence and time.
I have only tested it as I am now house sitting near Bacchus Marsh VIC so using the house shower.

Does that mean no more daily bathing in Greens Lake?

Dougwe · Chief one feather

NO. I will still be going in the lake daily or more often Richard but only to have a dip not wash. That's all I did anyway as no soap went out with me. Mmmmm, maybe that's why you always sat the other end to me during happy hours confuse smile

aussietraveller · Guru

The Suburban HWS is excellent ours is now 12 years old and has had many hours of use they also reheat quickly if needed, as others have said prior to flush out always trigger the pressure relief valve or be prepared for a mess including the annode operating as a high speed projectile.

Have been told you can use Gas and Electricity at the same time for faster heating of water but have not tried it.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks AT. All tips welcome. I now have the correct size socket to remove the Anode when needed. Looking at some of the Utube clips, they say just release pressure first by opening a tap. The pressure relief valve is easy peasy and just above the Anode so will do it that way.

The van is currently not being used for about six weeks so is it best to empty in that case or just leave as is?

If this question is missed I will post it as new post later.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

My Suburban HWS is now about nine years old .... so far (SHHHH don't let Murphy know) it has not caused a single problem.

I change the anode every January - which is my "service month" - and as you know, I camp away from 240v the majority of the time.

I do not use it on gas when camping as I reckon it is quicker and cheaper (on gas) to just boil a kettle/billy on the stove if I need hot water for dishes or 'sponge bath'.

I have never emptied the HWS ..... except when changing the anode. So once a year it gets emptied but otherwise I leave it alone.

The same with my water tanks. Never emptied them or 'treated' them either. I guess they do get a 'change of water' getting used and refilled when camping but otherwise

Cheers - John

Dick0 · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Thanks AT. All tips welcome. I now have the correct size socket to remove the Anode when needed. Looking at some of the Utube clips, they say just release pressure first by opening a tap. The pressure relief valve is easy peasy and just above the Anode so will do it that way.

The van is currently not being used for about six weeks so is it best to empty in that case or just leave as is?

If this question is missed I will post it as new post later.

Yeah...like Rockylizard says...a service once a year is all it takes.

-- Edited by Dick0 on Wednesday 20th of September 2017 06:28:14 PM

mr glassies · Guru

We did the same doug first of I bought 1 of them instant gas systems bigest piece of crap on the market . Shoulda bought a eBay special but when the add says only one sold in Australia passed for australian use you go with that 1 a . Now supporting a surburban tank model best hot water out there if ya ask me . If ya got one better don't ask me lmdo

Dibs

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Dibs, it's all my fault really, I asked for the Girrard HWS when getting the TeePee built as I had a Instant HWS at base camp but soon learnt the Van version is nowhere near the house ones. It took me 3 yeras to decide to get rid of it and get the Suburban.

Take care and I hope G is well.

mr glassies · Guru

Na three yrs no way . Three mths mine was gone . There a pos in my apinion . Even spoke to distributer quizzed them as to why Australia and America had different flow rates . Had our gass guy look at it he recon should work . Like I said love the tank one . Now working on solar charge heating water .

Dibs

mr glassies · Guru

Hahahahahahahahahaahhahahahaah ask kiwi as lmdo he will tell ya . If ya hang on I can give ya socket size

dibs

Shrek · Veteran Member

Dougwee, When you change the anode, don't forget to flush out the tank with a garden hose to remove the residue from the sacrificial anode as it will block the strainer in the taps in the van. On this I speak from experience. Regards SHREK

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Thanks for the tip Shrek. I got one of the high pressure hose wands fit for the purpose so with that and the socket that fits the Anode there is no excuse not to do the job properly.

Sometimes, it's good to learn the hard way though, cos it sticks in ya mind.

So many helpfull tips from everyone, thankyou to all of you.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

macka17 · Guru

Socket size.
Mine was 20mm. back then

Bill B · Guru

If it is a Suburban HWS the socket size to change the anode is 27 mm or 1&1/16"