No Hot Water
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=12767
Printed Date: 23 May 2025 at 4:05am
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Topic: No Hot Water
Posted By: kirkbeeler
Subject: No Hot Water
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2019 at 2:20pm
I am a new r-pod owner and am excited about taking it out for the first time later this month. It is a new 171 which I bought in March. The problem is that even though the hot water tank has water and is heating up only cold water comes out of the shower and sinks. I have read about adjusting the bypass valve but this unit doesn't seem to have one. It has cold water going in and hot coming out. That's it unless there is a "secret switch" somewhere controlling this. Anyone have experience with these newer models? 
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Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2019 at 2:52pm
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Hard to tell from the picture but it looks like the Tee on the hot connector is a two way valve. Something on it should turn. Maybe the same thing on the cold port. Is the white hose just a loop from cold to hot? Also make sure the small black switch in the outside access door is turned on for electric heating. How do you know the heater is actually heating?
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2019 at 3:27pm
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Most likely you have bypassed the water heater with the valves in the picture. The handles are not really visible so it's hard to see wether they are in line with the tubing or at 90º, which would block the water from going in/out of the tank. If you are still winterized, you are probably in bypass mode. A word of caution about using the electric heat element in your water heater. Make sure there is really water in the tank if you use it. If you allow the element to be energized with out water, it may last 30 seconds, if you are lucky. Never turn on the electric heating function unless you are sure the tank is full of water. The problem is where do they hide the switches for the electric part of the water heater. One is on the back side of the water heater behind the service panel in the lower left where there is a gas pipe passing by. It's a black rocker switch. The other switch is the water heater circuit breaker, which doubles as a switch. It's in the WFCO panel on the left hand side with the other 120vac breakers. If both the breaker and the rocker switch are on, the element is energized. Search the archives and you should be able to find discussions about the water heater. Marwayne put some real helpful fotos of the water heater and breaker in another post that will help you locate the switches. Finally, on almost all pods, the switch by the sink for hot water only operates the gas heating function. Don't think that by turning it off you have de energized the electric function. It's a common mis-assumption that has caused many electric heat elements to burn up. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: kirkbeeler
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2019 at 11:16pm
| Thank you for the reply. The switches are parallel with the tubing. I know there is hot water in the tank because I can drain it from the outside using the pressure release valve. I have read all of the other posts and I do not believe that any of them describe this particular situation. I'll call the dealer and keep searching. |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 17 Apr 2019 at 11:37pm
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There IS a bypass on that water heater, thats what the white tubing is, so there are valves on those fittings. Assuming they are both in the non-bypass position, the next thing to check is, make sure the outside shower valves are both closed, because the shower head may be set for off, with the valves open. If so, your hot water is being mixed with cold.
------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: tcj
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2019 at 8:14am
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Delete. ------------- 2018 R-pod 180 Hood River Edition |
Posted By: kirkbeeler
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2019 at 9:08am
| Thanks to everyone who responded. I have it working now and the solution was so simple I am embarrassed to explain. I think I will pass on to Forest River the inadequacy of their documentation. |
Posted By: podwerkz
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2019 at 9:42am
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Glad that you got it working....hey, if the solution, no matter how embarrassing, will help someone else, consider posting about it. If it has happened to you, it has happened, or will happen, to someone else. ------------- r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten! |
Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2019 at 9:46am
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+1 to podwerkz
If I haven't made that mistake yet, it's only for lack of opportunity. ------------- Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost |
Posted By: kirkbeeler
Date Posted: 18 Apr 2019 at 10:29am
| You are absolutely correct. I will write up some notes that better explain this journey and post it here. This forum is great! |