R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Water Heater Problem
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedWater Heater Problem
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
  Share Topic Share Topic  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
Hayduke View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 03 Apr 2012
Location: Salt Lake, UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Water Heater Problem
    Posted: 25 Jun 2017 at 9:50pm
Our water heater stopped functioning in the electric mode last year. We share the rpod with a few family members, and from asking other users I came to the assumption that the electric element had been burned out. 
We had the pod in at the local rv repair place for a few other things (not an rpod dealer, but they do sell other forest river brands/models). We asked them to fix the water heater. When we picked up the trailer, the service people said the water heater element was drawing the expected amount of amps (I forget the exact number) and should function fine.
This is our first time using the water heater since, and still no heat on electric. The breaker inside and the switch outside are both on. 

Any ideas? How can I go about diagnosing? Is the statement about it drawing the right amount of power accurate?
2012 177 HRE
2017 Tacoma Double Cab
Back to Top
Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 7:24am
Electric is a little slower than propane I think.  Have you left in on overnight and still no hot water?  Does it work on propane?  And where I"m going with that: are you sure the bypass valves are set correctly?
2010 176
FJ Cruiser
Back to Top
Leo B View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 4508 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 9:34am
Ditto on the bypass valves.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
Back to Top
Hayduke View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 03 Apr 2012
Location: Salt Lake, UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 10:59am
Works great on propane. Left it on electric for several hours last night with no result.

Bypass valves are all in the correct orientation.
2012 177 HRE
2017 Tacoma Double Cab
Back to Top
mcarter View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 4:47pm
Check the water heater element for continuity. It's an element. Just like your oven at home. I think that's your problem.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
Back to Top
Tars Tarkas View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 14 Jan 2013
Location: Near Nashville
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1446 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 6:58pm
Electric is a little slower than propane I think.  Have you left in on overnight and still no hot water?  Does it work on propane?  And where I"m going with that: are you sure the bypass valves are set correctly?
2010 176
FJ Cruiser
Back to Top
mcarter View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 7:06pm
I get hot water in 15 minutes on electric. That's because my element is working. Replace the electric element.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
Back to Top
CharlieM View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 23 Nov 2012
Location: N. Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 7:23pm
Make sure the breakers are on and the outside switch on the WH is on. The WH electric element is approx. 1500 watts. If you have any way to measure the input current to the trailer you should see 10-14 Amps. If you get hot water on gas the bypass valves are set properly.From a cold start you should get some hot water in 15 minutes on electric. 
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
Back to Top
mcarter View Drop Down
podders Helping podders - pHp
podders Helping podders - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 07 Apr 2016
Location: Greenbrier, TN
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2017 at 7:26pm
Yep, that's what I said.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
Back to Top
Hayduke View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie


Joined: 03 Apr 2012
Location: Salt Lake, UT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 68 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 2017 at 12:28am
Thanks for the input so far. Let me summarize:
1. I'm positive the bypass valves are correct. I get hot water in a few minutes on propane.
2. The switch on the exterior of the water heater and the breaker in the converter panel are both on.
3. The rv service center states they tested the electric as pulling ~10 amps.

I still do not get hot water on electric.
2012 177 HRE
2017 Tacoma Double Cab
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz