Covering hot water heater panel

[cmzoet]

We are currently parked in Phoenix and temps are hovering around 100 degrees. Hot air is coming into our Voltage 3200 through the louvered panel below the fridge, of which the water heater is behind. We are running the water heater on electric. Does anyone see a problem with covering this panel to keep the warm air from entering the RV? I don't think the warm air is generated from the water heater. I believe it is outside air.

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by cmzoet

We are currently parked in Phoenix and temps are hovering around 100 degrees. Hot air is coming into our Voltage 3200 through the louvered panel below the fridge, of which the water heater is behind. We are running the water heater on electric. Does anyone see a problem with covering this panel to keep the warm air from entering the RV? I don't think the warm air is generated from the water heater. I believe it is outside air.

I've had mine closed off with storm window plastic held on with masking tape. It wasn't AZ heat so much for me but OK cold I wanted to keep out.
While I had the louvered panel off I added hinges to it so I could use some of that wasted space.
While you're in there take a look at the ABS drain from the kitchen sink to make sure the cold water intake isn't sitting on top of the ABS.

[israelws]

Great idea with hinges & covering louvered panel over. Hot water heater is already insulated, covering panel should make no difference.

Definitely check sink abs drain pipe sitting on top of cold water inlet, as mine wore through and was a major pain to fix. Ended up putting a metal shim guard between them to keep them from rubbing together as I could not get enough separation with factory piping. If that doesn't work will have to do some re-plumbing of kitchen drain line. Typical factor lousy planning and job!

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by israelws

Great idea with hinges & covering louvered panel over. Hot water heater is already insulated, covering panel should make no difference.

Definitely check sink abs drain pipe sitting on top of cold water inlet, as mine wore through and was a major pain to fix. Ended up putting a metal shim guard between them to keep them from rubbing together as I could not get enough separation with factory piping. If that doesn't work will have to do some re-plumbing of kitchen drain line. Typical factor lousy planning and job!

The idea was to stop heat/cold from entering into the living area. The plastic helps with the infiltration of both.
I had to use a couple 45 degree couplings to get the pipe to move it away from the inlet and then to move it back to align with the rest of the drain pipe.