How do I know if I filled my hotwater tank before I fire that beast off?

[paddlesurf.net]

Greetings,

The good people over at AT in Prescott filled my water tank up for me when I picked up my flatbed Hawk.

I've had her out on a couple short trips and have used the hotwater heater and everything worked great. Just today, however, I added some bleach to the tank, drove around (to get it all mixed up) and then parked it and opened up the petcock to drain the tank.

I'm trying to get it all sanitized and refilled for a big upcoming trip.

Question is when I fill the tank from outside - am I also filling up the hotwater tank?

I've read a couple posts where people have kicked off their heaters with unfilled tanks and done some damage - so, how do I know for sure if my wee boiler is full?

Thanks!

 

[PaulT]

Short answer is no. You have to do one of two things to be sure the hot water is full. Open the sink drain outside.

Slowest method:
Open the hot water tap and turn on the water pump. When water flows without spitting from the hot water faucet, it’s tank is full.
This may take between 5 & 10 minutes and draws down battery power.

Better method:
Hook up the fill hose to the city water inlet. Use a pressure regulator on the hose to keep pressure at safe level.
Open hot water faucet. Turn on city water to hose. When water flows smoothly from hot water faucet, tank is full.This takes a couple of minutes & doesn’t draw down your battery.

https://www.campingworld.com/valterra-lead-free-brass-standard-water-regulator
Paul

 

[paddlesurf.net]

Great info Paul - thanks for that. I'm on it tomorrow, gonna go city water method.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Yup, what Paul said...

 

[NorCalSteve]

If you are connected to shore power (110 volts), your battery will not drain when the pump is on. I use Paul's first method since my HW tank is usually emptied for extended periods between trips and I am home when I fill the HW Tank.

Steve