How test hot water heater for cracks?

[Michael Collins]

We just purchased a 1988 Bigfoot 17b that had been sitting for 13 years. The owner mentioned I'd have to replace the hot water heater. I noticed the floor near the water heater is stained from water, right in the front drivers side corner. I'm thinking it might be cracked. How should I test it? Remove it so I don't potentially flow water through the interior of the trailer? It's an Atwood heater. Thanks in advance


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[Carol H]

Only way your going to prove if its cracked and leaking is to start filling it..... just keep the hatch open its in and watch carefully....... if it starts to leak stop filling and start draining it from the outside plug fast....

[steve dunham]

Disconnect both the hot and cold water lines from the hot water tank . Plug either the hot or cold fitting on the tank and put a fitting with a schrader valve into the other tank fitting. Take a compressor and fill the heater tank with air. If the tank will hold air pressure, it will hold water pressure and water .If it won't hold air it won't hold water . Plus air will not leave a big
mess to cleanup if the tank is bad . That air method is used in construction to test water lines and sewer / vent piping.

[Rv tech]

You can also just pressure up the water system with air and check for leaks.

[Michael Collins]

I like the sound of testing with air much better. I'll try to find the right fittings to pressurize the system. 40 psi should be adequate?


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[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by Michael Collins

I like the sound of testing with air much better. I'll try to find the right fittings to pressurize the system. 40 psi should be adequate?


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Camco sells a fitting that has a hose fitting on one side and an air connection fitting on the other side . The fitting screws into the same fitting as your fresh water hose .The fitting is normally used to winterize the trailer's water system and would work for your purpose also . The fitting is relatively. cheap.

[Michael Collins]

Thanks Steve, I'll look into that.


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[Jack L]

If it fails the air test you'll need a new water heater but if it passes the air test you still need to check the tank again when it's filled with water and heated to operating temp. The heated water could cause a leak when air or even cold water does not leak. Heat causes changes in metal

[Michael Collins]

Ok thanks to all. I'll get everything together and test it.


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[redbarron55]

You might want it filled with water when you pressure test it.
Water just leaks out. Air could blow the thing up.
If you put city pressure on it and ran the heater that might answer the question completely.
If there is a leak then dry things up fairly quickly an no harm no foul.

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[Michael Collins]

I peeled off the insulation on the tank and found a 6" gash. These aluminum tanks blow up when they go. Time for a new tank or whole new water heater. Poor winterization from the previous owner. Floor is rotten in that corner too from the water leaking out when the temperature thawed. Not a big deal, just work.


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[Darral T.]

Did it look anything like this? Our shop repaired it but I do NOT recommend it. I think a replacement 6gal tank from Atwood is around $175.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/50351683@N08/19049812022/

[redbarron55]

I have a 6 gal Atwood I am not using.
$50 and it yours. Depends on where you are located if it is worth shipping.
I am installing a tank less on the tongue instead of using this Atwood unit.

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[Carol H]

Originally Posted by Michael Collins

I peeled off the insulation on the tank and found a 6" gash. These aluminum tanks blow up when they go. Time for a new tank or whole new water heater. Poor winterization from the previous owner. Floor is rotten in that corner too from the water leaking out when the temperature thawed. Not a big deal, just work.


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PO of my trailer did not properly drain his hot water tank the prior winter either... same result. Bad news for him but good news for me as he had to install a new tank prior to my purchasing the trailer.

[Darral T.]

How old is the water heater? I'd be tempted to take it myself. I'm in Tenn. and may not be too far away. We love a good Saturday drive :-)

Originally Posted by redbarron55

I have a 6 gal Atwood I am not using.
$50 and it yours. Depends on where you are located if it is worth shipping.
I am installing a tank less on the tongue instead of using this Atwood unit.

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[Michael Collins]

Yeah mine looked exactly like that. Is it just the tank you're offering or the whole unit. I might be interested. Thx for the offer


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[redbarron55]

I did this instead of using the Attwood heater.
I haven't finished yes so I can't say how it works. Testing with it on a hand truck works well.
I made the stainless steel enclosure and welded a steel bracket to the framework. One reason for the extended frame/tongue.




As to the Attwood it is older, but I don't know the age. I bought it for my Scamp project and did the above instead.

[Michael Collins]

Sent you a pm Red Baron. That setup looks deluxe. I think the shipping to BC would be too much. Thanks for the offer.


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[Michael Collins]

Redbarron, thanks for dealing with me on the heater. I noticed on your new tongue you used angle iron to support your propane tank. I need to chop out my stock propane deck platform and fabricate something. Yours looks simple yet practical. I have 2 tanks so I could partition the angle iron into 2 squares. How are you holding your tank down?


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[redbarron55]

I am going to fabricate a hold down using two 1" stainless straps with hooks that go over the lower rim of the handle and the other end is connected with a turnbuckle to the angle using "S" hooks. This will let me tighten the turnbuckles to tighten the straps and hold down the tank.
When I have built it I will try to remember to post a picture.
I have to build things that are basically simple since that is all I can figure out.