I need HELP!!!: Electric only water heater

Print Page | Close Window

Electric only 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=14429
Printed Date: 30 May 2025 at 2:17am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Electric only water heater

Posted By: rcase13
Subject: Electric only water heater
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 11:48am

On our new 2021 190 I am trying to run the water heater using only electric. On most of the RVs we have owned in the past there are two switches for the water heater. One is for gas and one is for electric. On this 190 there is a switch on the water heater itself and the red switch inside the unit. If I turn on only the switch at the water heater nothing happens no hot water. If I turn on the red switch inside the gas kicks on and we have hot water.

When we are on shore power or camp site power we prefer to use electric only so we don't use propane. That doesn't appear to be possible on this 190. Any ideas around this? How do we do electric only with the hot water heater? Is it not possible?

-------------
2012 Ford F150 5.0l
157"WB 4x4 ELD
2021 R-Pod 190

Replies:

Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 11:53am

I have to ask, because you didn't say. Are you plugged into atleast a 15 amp plug? You can't run on electric if you are not plugged in. If you are plugged in, there are two reset buttons above the on switch on the tank. Try that. Of course check the circuit breakers. It should run on electric only, I always run on electric when plugged in.

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

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 1:42pm

Mine also has a circuit breaker in the breaker panel for the water heater. So there are 2 switches for electric.

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

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 2:11pm

+3. The dedicated circuit breaker in the panel and the switch on the water heater are in series. Both have to be on to heat water with 120Vac. The wall switch is for the propane water heat system only, that one does not have to be on to heat with 120vac, the two systems are completely independent. Of course, as mjlrpod says, you have to have 120Vac shore power connected to the trailer as well for the electric water heating element to work.

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

Posted By: rcase13
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2021 at 2:32pm

Yep plugged into 30amp plug here at home that I installed sometime back. Everything with that is working fine.

I figured out the issue. When I turn the breaker off then back on it makes a terrible electrical noise and then pops the breaker.

So yet another item for them to fix. I have an appointment for a very long list of items.

Thanks for the help.

-------------
2012 Ford F150 5.0l
157"WB 4x4 ELD
2021 R-Pod 190

Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2021 at 6:00am

Don’t worry, your circuit breaker is going it’s job. Likely someone left the trailer on shore power with the electric water heater element turned on and no water in the tank. That is a no no. It will kill the element in short order. Either it will open circuit and quit working or distort and short to the tank, causing the breaker to trip. Once the element is replaced you should be good to go. If you plan to use electric water heat and don’t want to have to go outside to turn it on, leave the outside switch on and mark the breaker so you can identify it easily, then leave it turned off until you know you have the water heater filled and want to use it.

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