Suburban Caravan Hot Water System

Submitted: Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 19:17
ThreadID: 106252 Views:4121 Replies:6 FollowUps:1
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Hi all.

Apart from the usual sticking a garden hose and flushing, what is the best way to clean a Suburban Caravan Hot Water System. I have seen on some articles from US a wand that attaches to a garden hose however I can seen to find one here.

Mine seems to have a build up of a calcium type gunk.

Cheers in advance

Mick
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Reply By: Member - Toyocrusa (NSW) - Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 19:48

Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 19:48
Hi Mick, I made up a smaller length (around 30mm) of plastic tube out of an old piece of the pipe that is used to carry water around the van. It is 12mm OD. Got some John Guest fittings to adapt it to my hose. Just run it in short bursts and the old anode material will gradually come out. I dont think you will get all of it out but a good 80% will be obtainable. Just remember to lift the pressure relief valve first before you start. My first time I copped a blast of pressurised water and anode material over me cause I forgot. It also allows the tank to breathe as the old water flows out.
Also had a friend who had his anode done at a Caravan service place and they didn't refil the hot water tank so it cooked the 240v element the next time he connected to power. Make sure you refil the tank after you have finished till it flows out of the relief valve and then close the valve. Cheers, Bob.
AnswerID: 526526

Follow Up By: Terry 12 - Sunday, Feb 16, 2014 at 09:11

Sunday, Feb 16, 2014 at 09:11
The blast of pressurised water that got you is the way i clean my tank.
Dump the water pressure first , remove the anode and connect van to your garden hose and turn on the water. When water starts to flow out the anode hole, block it with your thumb for about 20 secs. or so then let it go. Keep your face & body out of the way as the air pressure inside the heater tank will blow out lots of water & crap. Terry.
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FollowupID: 808754

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 19:50

Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 19:50
Thats about it - I have a garden hose fitting with about 1 metre of 10mm plastic tube adapted to it - I just put that in there and give it a good flush around when I get home - I then leave the anode out so the tank can dry - 5 years so far and no issues. The gunk is from the anode - flush the loose stuff out and forget the rest.
AnswerID: 526527

Reply By: Member - Darryl P (SA) - Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 22:07

Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 22:07
I just take the anode out an d turn the water on and use the thingy that u pull the awning down with to hook all the gunk out as the water is flushing the tank works a treat
AnswerID: 526531

Reply By: Gone Bush (WA) - Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 22:18

Saturday, Feb 15, 2014 at 22:18
The calcium gunk comes from the anode as it "sacrifices" itself so that the tank casing is not corroded.
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AnswerID: 526534

Reply By: Stone Stomper - Sunday, Feb 16, 2014 at 08:31

Sunday, Feb 16, 2014 at 08:31
I have a bottle brush on the end of a thin aluminium pipe and push and pull in the anode hole with the hose and it gets all the white calcium out.
AnswerID: 526542

Reply By: mick - Sunday, Feb 16, 2014 at 15:32

Sunday, Feb 16, 2014 at 15:32
Well after some thought and a trip to Bunnings.

Click on tap fitting onto a 19mm poly reduced to 13mm, capped with a few holes punched into the end of it. You will also need a male/male tap fitting to connect onto normal
household hose


AnswerID: 526587

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