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Topic ClosedGenerator, water heater, solar panels - ? - Event Date: 09 Dec 2017 - 09 Oct 2018
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lwilsn628 View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Sep 2017
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Calendar Event: Generator, water heater, solar panels - ?
    Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 5:16pm
Hi 
New owner of not- quite new RPod 181G, which I tow w a Honda Ridgeline.  So far so good. 
Question:  I cannot for the life of me locate the hot water heater, to drain it for winter (not a huge deal yet as NM weather has not turned cold).  I have opened every opening and cannot for the life of me find what I think the thing should look like.  Can one of you more experienced folks point me to it?
Also -- we are considering buying ourselves a generator as a Christmas present. I looked at local Cabelas and most are heavy (>100 lb) which is more than I want to be trying to manipulate into a tow vehicle.  There is also a 2000 watt one at about half that weight.  What is the experience of  the group with generators -- size etc -- and suggestions for manufacturer? 
Lastly -- what about solar panels?  Do any of you use them?  If yes -- what size etc?
Thanks!
LWW
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4518 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 5:31pm
Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 182!! 
Leo & Melissa Bachand
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6418 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 6:04pm
Welcome and Congratulations!

For the water heater, you will need to look for the hatch on the outside. It should be toward the front on the slide side. Look for a rectangular hatch with a turn-ring catch.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Joined: 03 Apr 2011
Location: Mayville, WI
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Posts: 1447 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 6:16pm
I hAVE a set of folding aluminum ramps I bought for  loading equipment onto the truck.  I roll my 100 pound gen set up the ramps and it stays there for the trip.
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
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lwilsn628 View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 6:44pm
Hi and thanks for your response.  Maybe I am just not recognizing the heater as I have been in that space. Hmmmm.  Will have to open it up and look at it again. 
LWW
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 27 Sep 2016
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Posts: 1221 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 6:50pm
The external hot water tank cover is usually a square metal cover.  It normally will have a series of small round or square holes in it to exhaust the heat. 
Generator? I just bought two  2000 watt hondas to run in series. dont know yet how they will do, but, Honda is among the best, and it weighs only 46 pounds each. 
I have no solar experience or advise.
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Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
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Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
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Posts: 1453 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Dec 2017 at 7:12pm
Search Google images or YouTube for rpod water heaters.  There's a lot of good info there.

TT
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Olddawgsrule View Drop Down
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Joined: 20 Sep 2017
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Posts: 1014 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 7:48am
On another thread a nice system was recommended for Solar.


It comes with complete to run directly to your battery.

Also I'm looking into these generators:


Hearing good reviews so far. Quite and priced right.nThey have larger as well.
Byways no Highways
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dr2428 View Drop Down
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Joined: 13 Aug 2016
Location: Nebraska
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 09 Dec 2017 at 7:53am
You're looking for something like this, the water heater panel is poorly highlighted, and may be black.
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lwilsn628 View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Dec 2017 at 3:36pm
Thanks to all responders -- Merry Christmas and best wishes! 
LWW
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