Proper filling of water heater

[jimlinalf]

What is your procedure for filling the water heater at the beginning of your trip, or at your first stop, so that you keep the proper air zone in the top of the heater.  From what I understand is that if you don't have this air spot in the top your pressure will be too much and the relief valve will let water flow out.  I've had this happen to me twice the past two vacations and can't solve this.  I'm almost at the point of thinking it is a bad relief valve.  I did make sure I had the pressure regulator in the hose line to keep the pressure down to the right amount.  I did see that even with just cold water in the heater, and the water turned on to the popup my relief valve let the water overflow out onto the ground.  Is this the final thing showing the valve is defective?

thanks for any info

Jim

[tlhdoc]

If the water heater is leaking when you just filled it, it sounds like the valve is bad.  To fill the heater just open a hot water valve and turn the pump or the city water faucet on.  When water starts coming out of the faucet the water heater is full.

[AustinBoston]

I agree with Tracy.  You shouldn't have water coming out of the pressure relief valve when the heater is cold.  If the pressure reducer was defective and let enough pressure through to trip the valve, then I would expect it to start "inflating" your hose as well.

You should not need to do anything to get the "right" amount of air in the heater, either.  Just fill the heater with water as Tracy described.

Austin