water heater
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2579
Printed Date: 16 May 2025 at 5:41am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: water heater
Posted By: blissful
Subject: water heater
Date Posted: 18 May 2012 at 7:28pm
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Blissful, again!! When using lp to heat water, do you turn on the switch to the left of the sink on front panel? Or, is this "on" switch for electric/both. I am very confused!! The red a"reset" light does not come on. Still trying to locate the "on" switch in the outside compartment....if I find it, do I leave it on all the time? Grateful for any lessons here as the manual that comes with my pod is a JOKE! Blissful |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 18 May 2012 at 8:38pm
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On our 177 you turn the switch "on" to heat your water with propane. The red "reset" light only comes on IF you are out of propane and it's letting you know that it isn't lighting the flame to heat your water. The "on" switch on the water heater itself is only if you are going to use land-line electricity to heat your water. Since we normally camp where there is no electricity or go boon-docking I normally leave this switch in the "off" position.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 May 2012 at 10:04pm
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To add to what jato said, the red light may come on for a few seconds when you first turn it on. It may also come back on even if you have propane if the flame gets blown out by the wind - but the system will relight it quickly. You can use the electric and propane at the same time if you have electric hookups - it will reheat faster and then will maintain the temperature using the electric (its thermostat is set higher than the propane system). When you open the metal cover outside, look in the lower left corner for a black switch. You can leave it on all season, but make sure you turn it off before you drain the tank at the end of the season or the element will burn out immediately. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: blissful
Date Posted: 19 May 2012 at 10:37am
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Thanks! Most helpful. Thank God you guys are out there to assist with Pod problems, etc. Would love an instruction book compiled from all this info. Thankful, Blissful
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Posted By: Alex&Marie
Date Posted: 19 May 2012 at 2:37pm
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Thanks Jato and techntrek, that was the best summary of how to handle the hot water heater that I have read. We are still getting used to the pod after 20 days of camping here in Virginia since we got the pod back in February. We really like it and have especially enjoyed hearing all the info available from the forum. ------------- Alex and Marie 2012 R-pod 177 2006 Toyota Tundra 
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 19 May 2012 at 6:55pm
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You are very kind and very welcome. Just please remember to turn the 3 valves the "right" way before heating up the water or you will end up like I did, and have to replace your heating element! That is the only issue I have had with our 177 and we have been happy owners since March of 2011.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: blissful
Date Posted: 19 May 2012 at 8:19pm
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What 3 valves are you talking about here? I found the "on" switch for the water heater electric, but don't know about these 3 valves. Please explain. Blissful
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 19 May 2012 at 9:19pm
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Looking at the water heater from the inside, there are 3 valves right behind it. These are used to bypass the water heater before winterizing. In the spring, you must reverse all 3 valves to fill the tank again.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 19 May 2012 at 9:50pm
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The "fun" part is getting to the valves. If you are small and a good contortionist and don't mind tight areas it is easy. Just loosen the 4 screws to the right of the water heater - in the thru storage area in the back of the pod. Then you reach your hand into nowhere and try your best to reach and turn the 3 valves. OR Lift up your mattress and cut an access hole so you can easily do this procedure and see with your eyes what you are doing. I cut my access hole about 5 " wide by 6 " long and then cut a 1/4"thick piece of luan to cover the access hole and used 2 wood screws to hold it down
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 7:01am
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I removed the mattress and removed the screws that hold down the plywood under the mattress and left them out. To access the valves I lift the mattress and plywood.
------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: blissful
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 1:11pm
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Thanks, Jato. No problem since I do not winterize here in Florida....assume these valves are already in the correct position. Blissful
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 2:44pm
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I may have to move to Florida... ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 3:00pm
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I did the same as keith and dar, removed the screws holding the plywood down, put them in the lower drawer. I also took a shop vac and vacuumed all the saw dust and loose screws left there, the plywood is not going anywhere when you are setting on the couch/dinette area, and it gives you instant access if needed. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: rex
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 5:30pm
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GLAD I DONT HAVE TO TURN ALL THOSE VALVES,MY WATER STAYS WORM MOST OF THE TIME WITHOUT GAS. rex pHp stuart fla. ------------- jrr |
Posted By: Chuck
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 6:49pm
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OK. Kind of a dumb question. My dealer did my winterization last Fall and evn though I tried to take good notes I think I missed something. I've looked at my hot water valves and I'm just not sure I know what I'm looking at. They seem to be OK but I'm just not sure. I've hooked up shore water and I have water coming out of the hot water faucets in both the sink and shower. Is it safe to assume that the hot water tank is full and OK to turn on the water heater? ------------- Z-pod Chuck Janet & Bogie the dog '12 RP 177 1972 Shasta 1400 2005 Ford F-150 5.3L V8 |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 8:12pm
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NO IT IS NOT SAFE TO ASSUME THAT THE HOT WATER TANK IS FULL. I did this when I got mine last spring, even had water coming out when the hot water handles were turned on. I turned the propane on, it lit, and my element was toast. Replaced it for twenty bucks or so. To check your valves, you will have to either cut a hole in your plywood under your queen bed to access OR as others above have done, take the screws out and lift both your mattress and plywood up. On the right side you will see your hot water tank and the 3 'mystery valves.' The handles on the hot and cold lines should have their handles parallel to the water lines. There is another line that runs between these two that handle should be perpendicular to the line. Make sure your handles are in this position before firing up the propane or hooking into 110. http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2456&KW=hot+water+valves&PID=23164&title=hot-water-heater#23164">  ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 20 May 2012 at 10:08pm
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That's what I did the first week I had my 171. Haven't had the screws back in since. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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