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mountainman ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 24 Apr 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
![]() Posted: 24 Apr 2016 at 11:17pm |
I purchased my first RV, a 2014 #172 pod last November. Although my first outing wasn't until earlier this month, I think I'm going to love it.
The problem, my first as a new RV owner, of my own doing, was draining the water heater with the electric element on. I installed a new element yesterday. After filling the tank, hitting the reset button, and turning on the switch on the tank I went inside and turned on the water heater switch. The reset light came on for a couple seconds, went out for a few seconds, then came on again followed by a noise from what I assume was the inverter. I tried all of the above again with the same results. Could I have wired the new element wrong? It's the same as the one I took out. Could frying the old element have ruined any wiring? I can use propane for hot water but would prefer electricity when I'm hooked up to it. Thanks ahead for any help. mountainman |
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Leo B ![]() podders Helping podders - pHp ![]() Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4518 |
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Happens to all of us at some point! Have you made sure that all the bypass handles are turned in the right direction?
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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CharlieM ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
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It sounds like you have two problems. The two heating systems are totally independent and can be checked separately. There are also two separate reset buttons on the WH and both need to be pressed. The electric element is a two terminal device and pretty hard to miswire. Damage to the electric element should not effect the gas side or any other wiring, but may have tripped the electric circuit breaker in the converter panel. The gas wall switch with the red light has no effect on the electric side.
Try the gas side first. Turn off the outside switch or the WH circuit breaker in the converter panel. Make sure the gas lines are purged by lighting the stove for a minute or so. Then turn on the gas wall switch. The red light should come on for several seconds and go off. You should be able to hear the gas burner running. If the burner lights the gas side is OK. Turn off the wall switch and test the electric side. Make sure the reset is pushed, the outside switch is on, the circuit breaker in the converter panel is on, and gas wall switch is off. You should detect warm water in 10-15 minutes. If either test fails you have a problem in that side only. If , after 20-30 minutes you get warm, but not hot, water the bypass valves may be set wrong. But this will not inhibit the heating systems. They just mix hot and cold water producing luke warm water. |
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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mountainman ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 24 Apr 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
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Thanks Leo and Charlie! I think the heater problem was solved today but a knew one has popped up with it.
First, I do have hot water now! I shut off the valve between the incoming cold and outgoing hot, so no luke warm water at the faucets, just good old hot. Second, I didn't realize the inside switch was for propane operation of the heater only. I assumed it had to be on then the switch for electrical operation turned on. I did heat it up first with elec.this morning. Four hours later today I used propane; it started right up and then shut off after a few minutes. So I assume they are working correctly. However, new "problem": I cannot turn off the rocker switch on the heater. I push as hard as I can to turn it off and it just goes back to on, or what I assume is on. No "clicking" like a regular rocker switch. Even tried a flat head screwdriver so I could get more leverage and that didn't work. I was afraid to push too hard. I've pushed the reset button several times to no avail. Can the switch be replaced? Could spray lubricant be used? Does the switch have to be in the off position for propane to work? Any ideas? mountainman |
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CharlieM ![]() Senior Member ![]() ![]() Joined: 23 Nov 2012 Location: N. Colorado Online Status: Offline Posts: 1797 |
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I'm glad you solved the WH problem at minimal hassle and cost. It's possible the switch was damaged when the element overheated. Without water the element gets very hot before it burns up, and depending on how it fails, it may also cause a lot of current to flow through that switch before burnout. The switch can probably be replaced, but it will require removal and disassembly of the heater
![]() A) The best solution is to add an illuminated toggle switch inside like we Camplite owners have. But that takes work and recently Camplite discovered they could save 25 cents by deleting it so they did. B) Do as most Pod owners do and just leave the switch on and use the circuit breaker in the converter panel. This is easy and effective. The switch has no effect on the propane system. Remember that while physically working on the switch there is a risk that it fails and gets stuck in the off position. Then WH removal/disassembly becomes mandatory for the electric side to work. Good luck and let us know how you do. |
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Charlie
Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
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furpod ![]() Moderator Group - pHp ![]() ![]() Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Location: Central KY Online Status: Offline Posts: 6128 |
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The switch comes out from the front. If you determine you want to change it. Trip the breaker, use a flat head screwdriver, or, what I used, a paint can key/opener thing, and pop it out. replace with one that fits that size hole.
EDIT: Look, somebody went first, and did a write up.. Linky Second Linky.. |
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mountainman ![]() Newbie ![]() Joined: 24 Apr 2016 Online Status: Offline Posts: 24 |
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Thanks again to Charlie and furpod. I'm going to go with leaving the switch in the on position for now since I'm heading out with the pod soon. If everything works for the summer on other trips I'll do something next fall or winter.
mountainman |
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