I need HELP!!!: Water Heater

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Water Heater

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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=13431
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 4:40pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Water Heater

Posted By: Colt
Subject: Water Heater
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2020 at 3:13pm

First trip in my 180. It is great for me and the dog, but my hot water is basically lukewarm. The unit sparked several times when I first filled and turned it on, but the red light on the info panel went off and it started warming, but didn't get hot. I thought it needed time. It's windy. Would wind blow out the flame? What else should I check?

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John
'16 R-Pod 180

Replies:

Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2020 at 4:53pm

If the 180 has an outdoor shower make sure both valves for the shower are in the off (closed) position. It they are not that will cause what you are experiencing. Enjoy your R-Pod.

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Jay

179/2019

Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2020 at 5:14pm

Check that your bypass is shut all the way off. A halfway open bypass could cause warm water as more cold water bypasses the water heater, than hot water coming out of it. I assume you've gone outback and verified that the heater ignited.

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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding

Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 08 Mar 2020 at 10:47pm

Yes, the heater runs occasionally, but not for long.

The outdoor shower (dog bath) is not leaking, but I'll check the valves.

Oh, just noticed this PM the info panel shows the fresh water tank is full, but I've not added any water to it. I'm connected to city water.

Thanks!

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John
'16 R-Pod 180

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2020 at 6:14am

First I'd ensure tank is indeed full. If it is filling while on city water the check valve in water pump is likely culprit. You can try fixing that by cycling water pump on and off by opening faucets. If that doesn't fix, they sell rebuild kits for the water pump or of course new pumps. I don't think either has much to do with warm water issue. The valves in partial position seems more likely.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2020 at 7:11am

+1 to mcarter.

If you determine that the bypass valves are closed and the water heater has been on for an hour or two then your water should be hot. If you suspect the propane system isn't working right you could try connecting to 120 Vac and running the water heater on electric to see if that gets hot. There is a switch on the heater itself accessible from the outside panel that has to be on, as does the circuit breaker for the water heater in the electric panel. The propane and electric water heating systems are completely independent and neither one has an adjustable thermostat. Both are set high enough to scald you if you're not careful.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2020 at 9:38am

If you're connected to city water I don't see how the water pump could be the culprit. It seems far more likely that you don't have the bypass valves adjusted correctly. Since this is you first trip in your Pod, let me ask, do you understand about the water heater bypass valves? And have you confirmed they are in the proper positions?

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2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2020 at 3:55pm

I am connected to both 120V and city water. No, I am not sure of my valve alignment. It is back in the positions they were in before I winterized it, I think. I have no diagrams to use to confirm. My heater has no electric heating element.

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John
'16 R-Pod 180

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2020 at 4:05pm

Look at your valve handles. They indicate the flow direction. You want them positioned so that they send the water to and out of your water heater.

If you have an OEM water heater, it normally comes with an electric heat element. You probably already know this, but just in case: Look below/behind the gas valve for a flat toggle switch and just to it's right for a rubber roundish cover that sticks out about 5/8th", if those are there, you probably have an electric heating element. You can also check your AC circuit breakers for a breaker for the water heater. And, if you look at the water heater, if it has an electric heat element, you'll see an AC romex wire going to it. If it doesn't get hot with the breaker and toggle switch in the on position, the element may be burned up, which can happen really fast if there's no water in the tank. On the other hand, you may have an after market water heater with gas only and the electric lines abandoned.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: mdballou
Date Posted: 09 Mar 2020 at 4:24pm

Also, I made the mistake and did not have the camper level for the gas to heat the water. Need to be real close to level.

Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2020 at 3:13pm

Originally posted by mdballou

Also, I made the mistake and did not have the camper level for the gas to heat the water. Need to be real close to level.

I knew that the refrigerator is sensitive to level (or lack thereof), but I did not know the water heater was.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2020 at 3:57pm

Originally posted by GlueGuy

Originally posted by mdballou

Also, I made the mistake and did not have the camper level for the gas to heat the water. Need to be real close to level.

I knew that the refrigerator is sensitive to level (or lack thereof), but I did not know the water heater was.

I don't see why the water heater would be sensitive to level, unless it was so far off that the burner couldn't ignite or function properly. That would require very significant angle. Level considerations don't show up as an issue in the water heat troubleshooting guide.

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1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold

Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 10 Mar 2020 at 4:16pm

Found and fixed! mjlrpod called it. The middle bypass valve was open so as soon as the pressure equalized in the tubes, the slug of warm water went lukewarm and a shower was rough. Thanks!!!!

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John
'16 R-Pod 180

Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2020 at 8:26am

Glad you found it, and thanks for the update. It's very helpful when people report back that the problem is solved, and what fixed it.

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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 28 Apr 2021 at 9:20am

Did you also find the switch to put the WH on electric? As far as I know, not a single RPod has been built without a 2-way WH. And I know things... LOL

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Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 29 Apr 2021 at 9:05pm

Yes, I did. It does have an electric element, but the switch is hidden behind something and I had to get on my knees and look up to see it.

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John
'16 R-Pod 180

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 30 Apr 2021 at 5:52am

You can also use the breaker that controls the water heater heating element as a switch. Both it and the switch on the water heater behind the hidden behind it's gasworks work but are very inconvenient. Now we are seeing an additional switch on the control panel which is much easier to find and use and is illuminated so that it is clear that it is turned on.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost