More Hot Water - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

campthewestcoast · 06-10-2011, 08:31 PM

The 6 gallon water heater did not supply enough hot water, I didn't want to just turn up the thermostat because of a chance of hot water burns.
I installed a Honeywell Thermostatic Mixing Valve (model#AM100-US-1) on the back side of the water heater.
I used PEX tubing and Sharkbite fittings, it was a very easy installation once I removed the couch for access.
I teed off the cold water supply for cold supply for the mixing valve, the hot supply from the water heater was plumbed to the mixing valve, and the tempered water from the mixing valve was plumbed to the hot water supply line of the trailer.
Now I can turn the water heater thermostat all the way up, the thermostatic mixing valve automaticly adds cold water to temper the hot water to 115 degrees.
The finished project gave me 50% more hot water (to 9 gallons) with out changing the water heater.

JackandJanet · 06-11-2011, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campthewestcoast

The 6 gallon water heater did not supply enough hot water, I didn't want to just turn up the thermostat because of a chance of hot water burns.
I installed a Honeywell Thermostatic Mixing Valve (model#AM100-US-1) on the back side of the water heater.
I used PEX tubing and Sharkbite fittings, it was a very easy installation once I removed the couch for access.
I teed off the cold water supply for cold supply for the mixing valve, the hot supply from the water heater was plumbed to the mixing valve, and the tempered water from the mixing valve was plumbed to the hot water supply line of the trailer.
Now I can turn the water heater thermostat all the way up, the thermostatic mixing valve automaticly adds cold water to temper the hot water to 115 degrees.
The finished project gave me 50% more hot water (to 9 gallons) with out changing the water heater.

What a great idea! The only downside I can think of is perhaps a somewhat reduced heater life, but it's probably no biggie.

- Jack