Water Heater questions
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3613
Printed Date: 15 May 2025 at 2:27pm
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Topic: Water Heater questions
Posted By: janice
Subject: Water Heater questions
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 1:01am
| I have been on 2 trips with my new Pod and so far so good (except for backing up). Is the water heater drained simply by removing the anode? I don't see any other way to do that and it is not explained in the manual. If I drain the fresh water tank after each trip, does that drain the water heater too? |
Replies:
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 4:11am
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I "think" you have to drain the water heater separately. That was a good question because I never gave the water heater a thought before. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 5:26am
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Unless there has been changes to the water heater you need to remove the anode and drain the water from there. I was searching for a anode rod with a valve for draining that would fit ours but was unable to find one. Make sure when you remove the anode the water pressure has been released. David ------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 8:16am
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Removing the anode is the only way I know of to drain the water heater. I don't think draining the main tank will drain the water heater, but I'm not sure. You don't need to drain the water heater during the summer. You might want to if it's going to be month's before your next trip though. TT |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 10:09am
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The other way is to open up the low-point drains (both of them, not just the hot side) and then also open up the over-pressure valve at the top of the water heater.
However, I only recommend doing this at the end of the season. If you drain your water heater and forget to turn off the electric element it will instantly burn out the next time you hook the pod up to power. The water will be fine between trips - in the water heater and in the fresh water tank. ------------- 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: Kickstart
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 12:13pm
------------- '10 RP 175-Replaced by 2014 Kodiak 173 QBSL '12 Toyota Tundra '05 Sportster (half a Harley) Retired-We're on Beach Time! |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 2:13pm
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Or instead of pulling the pressure relief valve (as sometimes they do not re-seat themselves very well), open up a hot water faucet in the pod which takes most of the pressure away. And don't do it when the water is hot!! ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 8:00pm
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True, that will break the vacuum inside the tank too.
------------- 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: David and Danette
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 9:51pm
 Thankfully I wasn't seriously hurt could of been my face if I was bending down low.------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 14 Jun 2013 at 10:07pm
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[QUOTEHa! D&D, I learned that the hard way. Didn't release the pressure valve when I took out the anode. I got to the end of the threads, the anode shot out like a mini rocket, and I got a fully clothed shower. [/QUOTE] Me too (red faced!!) ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: RPodWeGo
Date Posted: 15 Jun 2013 at 12:34am
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I refill my water tank after each trip as I have been told the chlorination in the water will prevent bacteria from growing in a dry tank. Before we head out again I drain and refill in the campsite. ------------- RPodWeGo RPod 177 04 v8 Toyota 4Runner |
Posted By: kymooses
Date Posted: 16 Jun 2013 at 8:57pm
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I drain my water heater with a set of low point drains on the side of my Pod. Then remove the anode rod after the water heater is drained completely. Mine are right below where I plug the power cord in, just under the camper. ------------- https://calendar.google.com/calendar?cid=cnBvZC5zcG90dGVyQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ - RPod Rallies https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1W1foQXGtrjf8aYly1uh0b-bHPfI&hl=en_US - RPod Owner Map |