Oasis Acting Up

[Jwl_Atlanta]

We are out on the road heading up to Alaska and our water heater, both Oasis & AC, are acting up. The Oasis doesn’t seem to keep the water hot and is very slow about engaging to heat the water. Both systems seem to be acting very erratic. Super annoying to jump in the show and a few minutes later the water goes cold. Any thoughts?

 

[osuallen]

It sounds a lot like your summer pump has failed.

 

[Jwl_Atlanta]

It sounds a lot like your summer pump has failed.

Is there a way to tell for sure if it is the summer pump?

 

[osuallen]

Above the oasis on the right wall is a silver box. First, see if there are any fault lights lit up. If there are, pursue them. If not, there is a switch on top. Probably have to use a mirror, or your phone to see the top. Change the switch to "bypass". If you have consistent hot water, then your summer pump is out. You will not want to leave the switch in bypass as the hot water will always be flowing through your oasis heat coils.

 

[MemoriesByTheMile]

^^^^
What @osuallen said, use that switch to see if that makes the water hot for you. If so, get a new "summer" pump, but I don't leave the switch on, just use it for testing (and maybe a few warm showers while waiting for the part).

 

[SteveMA]

[1] Check to see that your oasis boiler fluid overflow (in rear engine cover) tank is at minimum level or higher when cold. We had a small leak at the brass fittings (on top of Oasis boiler) and over time would drop level. (use care and 2 wrenches to tighten to not stress the fittings on the boiler if you see fluid there (should be dry on top). If the fluid is too low you may have air in the lines, which will diminish the system heat output (or worse). Unfortunately clearing the air (bubble) is a bit of a process that typically requires extra Century boiler fluid, a spare pump (all the pumps in the Oasis 50 are the same) and some minor fittings and hose. Would not call it an easy or hard job, just takes time and the right supplies.

[2] Are you using AC1 + AC2 + Burner? AC1+AC2 is about 50% of the heat that the burner makes on its own. all 3 are 50% more than just burner but you have to have electrical power - shore or generator. Batteries (even a large LiFePo bank can only run AC1 + AC2 for a relatively short time.

[3] Agree on the summer pump and bypass. We carry 2 spare pumps with us in case of need. Does not help you right now. The process to change the summer pump is about 90 min.

[4] they do not recommend you mix the 2 different color Century boiler fluids - use what your system has installed to top off unless you purge the entire systems. One is Pink, the other is Yellow. Mix them and you get brown. Not sure if it really hurts the system but makes it very hard to know when the fluid is getting old as brown fluid looks old vs pink or yellow.

 

[Texas Clodhopper]

[2] Are you using AC1 + AC2 + Burner? AC1+AC2 is about 50% of the heat that the burner makes on its own. all 3 are 50% more than just burner but you have to have electrical power - shore or generator. Batteries (even a large LiFePo bank can only run AC1 + AC2 for a relatively short time.

My first question was are you only using the electric? If so, electric may not provide enough heat to warm the water depending on the incoming water temperature.