Tankless Water Heater Not Working

[Daudetk]

Hi there, we bought a new Thor Quantum and it has a tankless water heater. Well, we haven’t had any luck getting it to actually heat our water! Anyone have any wisdom for us? We are very frustrated.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Originally Posted by Daudetk

Hi there, we bought a new Thor Quantum and it has a tankless water heater. Well, we haven’t had any luck getting it to actually heat our water! Anyone have any wisdom for us? We are very frustrated.

You're going to find a "love/hate" relationship with these. Some folks love them while others deplore them

They are dependent on a relatively high water flow through the unit. So... first question is what is the water pressure at your water inlet (if city water)... second, do you have the faucet wide open? There is no "trickle mode", so forget conserving water... that isn't their forte.

Make sure you have ample water flow, set the temperature control for the temperature you want at the faucet - do not mix cold water for temperature adjustment - then FULLY open ONLY the hot water faucet.

[Daudetk]

Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad

You're going to find a "love/hate" relationship with these. Some folks love them while others deplore them

They are dependent on a relatively high water flow through the unit. So... first question is what is the water pressure at your water inlet (if city water)... second, do you have the faucet wide open? There is no "trickle mode", so forget conserving water... that isn't their forte.

Make sure you have ample water flow, set the temperature control for the temperature you want at the faucet - do not mix cold water for temperature adjustment - then FULLY open ONLY the hot water faucet.

We are testing it using the water tank, not hooked up to city water right now. I have only the hot wide open. It’s not heating at all. Not even a little bit.

[Chateau_Nomad]

Is the breaker tripped? Propane valve open and tank has ample propane (try propane vs electric)? If using propane (and you have a propane range top), are you getting propane to the range top?

[grizzlyclaus]

Is the switch on the water heater itself turned on? Open the outside door and check that the i/o switch is in the i position !

[Judge]

You didn't test the hot water as part of your PDI and the dealer rep show you how it works?

If this is the Girard Tankless, there are lots of threads on the proper use and things to look at if you have issues. It is a great system for many camping styles. I have had two coaches with it and we love it.

I will assume you have checked some of the items already mentioned:

- Propane is turned on and the lines have been purges of air (lighting a stove, running the furnace).

- You have turned the power on the outside unit (as mentioned... open the access panel on the outside of the coach and the white switch should be in the on position ( l )

- You have turned on the power at the thermostat (usually located in the bathroom) and set the temperature to something like 105F degrees.

I have also attached the Troubleshooting Manual for you that will help check fuses, power, etc.



Here are also the primary issues causing hot water problem with the Girard Tankless Water Heater in order of most common occurrence.


1) 50% of the time the issue is related not enough water flow due to poor water pressure. You need at least 45PSI of water pressure coming into the coach. Many campgrounds have poor water pressure. You should be using a pressure regulator for incoming water to protect the coach from too much water pressure so look at the gauge and see what your water pressure is reading. See if you can adjust it for 45 - 50PSI if it is below that pressure. If you don't have a regulator or the campground isn't supplying at least 45PSI, try turning off the city water and using your fresh water tank instead and see if the hot water works properly.

2) 30% of the time the issue is people mixing cold water with the hot like they do at home and not setting the thermostat to the desired temperature and then only opening the hot valve for water. Do not open the cold water or use the water elsewhere in the coach when using the hot water. This causes the pressure to drop and the tankless will cut out if the flow drops too much.

3) 10% of the time the issue is related to construction debris in the water line cause the strainers (screens on the faucets and shower) to become blocked and restrict the flow. There is also a strainer / screen at the water inlet to the back of the unit. This can also become blocked with debris. Thor does recommend removing this strainer in cases where people are having flow issues. The house water system filter is before the tankless so assuming there is no construction debris in the water line coming into the tankless, the strainer should not be be needed.

4) 5% of the time the incoming water flow valve on the back of the Girard Tankless unit needs adjusted. When the incoming water temp is very cold, then slowing the flow will allow the water to spend more time in the heat exchanger to heat up enough.

5) 5% of the time it could be one of several other issues such as.... there is an actual problem with the tankless unit.... there is a bad faucet cartridge and it is allowing cold water to leak and mix in with the hot water.... there is a kink or some other blockage in the plumbing restricting flow.