New 179 HRE Water Heater
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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=4629
Printed Date: 25 Jun 2025 at 10:00pm
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Topic: New 179 HRE Water Heater
Posted By: DHuse
Subject: New 179 HRE Water Heater
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 8:44pm
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Picked up a 179 HRE a few weeks ago. Couldn't find the water heater electric on/off switch near the black reset buttons as many posts here indicate. Was beginning to think maybe they stuck me with a one dimensional propane only water heater. Finally did what all men hate to do, I got the installation/operational manual out. My model is the SW6D and the switch is actually located in the lower left hand corner on the back of the water heater as you're lookin' at it. To make matters worse, they covered up the switch with a piece of white tape. WaLa! Removed the tape, flicked the switch and it actually worked. Hot water without using propane. Hopefully this helps somebody else out there before they get too frustrated.
Sheriffs Podsse |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 9:22pm
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Manuals are useful sometimes! Don't forget to turn the switch off whenever you aren't using the water heater. Forgetting that it's on when you plug in and forget that the water heater is empty can be very inconvenient and expensive. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 22 Apr 2014 at 10:24pm
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I leave the switch on all the time at the heater and shut off the breaker on the inside, I find this more convenient than running out side to turn it on or off. We only turn the heater on just before doing the dishes in the morning and the water stays hot all day long till we need it at night. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 23 Apr 2014 at 8:11am
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I also now just use the breaker inside. The switch outside is hard to push, and doubly inconvenient when it is raining and I just want to get inside after setting up. No worries about burning out the element if you keep the water heater filled all season.
I used to try to conserve propane in our popup by leaving it off except when we needed showers in the morning or to wash dishes at night (using the carryover for hand washing, I agree it was plenty warm all day). It didn't have the electric element. Then one day I spent my day reading in a chair near the water heater and realized I only heard it light up once or twice all day. After that I saved a bunch of "fiddle factor" and just left it on.
DHuse, don't forget you can use propane and electric at the same time for a quicker recovery time. The thermostat for the electric element is set higher than the propane so you can maintain your temps in-camp with electric and leave the propane on, which won't kick on until you do dishes or take a shower. Then the propane will help to warm it up faster. Again, less "fiddle factor". ------------- 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: knrgrm
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2016 at 10:10am
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We just bought a new 2017 RPod 179. The dealer that did the walk through with us said it did not have the capability to switch to electric on the hot water heater. Everything I have read says otherwise. We haven't received the unit yet but I am trying to become familiar with how everything operates before we do. Does anyone know if they do or not. Is this an option? Thank you for any help you can offer. Also does anyone know where I can buy a R-Dome other than a dealer. They are so expensive from the dealer and I was hoping there was another way to find one. Maybe someone has one for sale. Thanks! ------------- Lilypod |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 19 Aug 2016 at 10:40am
Unless something changed yesterday, all RPODs have dual mode water heaters. An easy check is to read the WH model number on it's label. SW6DE is dual mode; SW6D is gas only. The dual mode heaters will also have a small black rocker switch on the lower left side inside the service panel and a 15Amp circuit breaker in the power panel. Maybe labeled, maybe not. Unless something changed yesterday, most dealers don't know their product. ------------- 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: M&M
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 11:42am
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Good Morning All, We just took out our 179 for the first time and I have a very fundamental question regarding the water heater. When I'm connected to city water, do I need to do anything else or will the water heater fill up? I don't want to make a mistake and burn out my heating element. Thanks, Marty ------------- 2017 179 "Big Sexy" 2012 Honda Pilot |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 12:19pm
The WH will automatically fill from either city water or the FW tank/pump combo, but not until you use the hot water in the camper. After connecting, and before turning on the electric element, turn on a hot water faucet until all the air and sputtering cease. Then you can turn on the electric element. The tank will remain full until you intentionally drain it, such as winterization. ------------- 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: M&M
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 12:24pm
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Good Morning Charlie, Thanks for the quick reply. No more cold showers for us!
------------- 2017 179 "Big Sexy" 2012 Honda Pilot |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 1:06pm
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Just, please, be sure, the winterization valves are not set to bypass.
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Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 1:11pm
Very good point. ------------- 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: rebe180
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 3:01pm
| We purchased our 180 back in april and we have always ran it on gas. We wrongly assumed that it had electric as well. It does not as we found out this last week end. I will post a pic for reference when I get home today. |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 3:28pm
That would be unusual. Awaiting pix and WH model number if you can. ------------- 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: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 5:36pm
Yours would be the only pod ever reported to NOT have a 2 way WH. (and then found to not have a 2-way) And I promise you FR didn't build it that way. ------------- |
Posted By: rebe180
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 8:43pm
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Sorry I was wrong . The switch is there right behind the gas lines. Very tight and hard to see. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2016 at 8:52pm
It is often missed, or misunderstood. Glad you found it. Pod on. ------------- |
Posted By: JGMM_BC
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 9:59am
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This is a good thread. Could someone please post a picture of where this switch is? I have the 180 and was also under the impression that the WH was propane only. I'll look for the WH model number on my pod when I get home.
Cheers ------------- Jean-Guy & Jennifer 2017 RP-180 "Lilly" 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 10:06am
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Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 30 Aug 2016 at 10:29am
Once you know the secret the rest is easy. The breaker shouldn't be used as an everyday switch. I always check the fill on the tank by easing the P & T valve open till it squirts. Like furpod says, checking at the faucet inside is not 100% fool proof. Besides, you're camping! It's OK to go outside! Ha Ha Ha... ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: JGMM_BC
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2016 at 10:43am
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So I confirmed that like all others, I have this switch. Mine was also hidden under a silver looking sticky tape. So this means that the hot water heater can run on either propane or electricity, correct?
If I want to run it on propane, all I need to do is make sure the water system is charged and then flip the switch inside the trailer and make sure the red light goes on then off. If I want to run it on electricity, only when I'm plugged in (120V), I make sure the system is charged and then turn the switch in the hot water compartment. I leave the switch inside off? Is this all correct? Thanks guys! Jean-Guy ------------- Jean-Guy & Jennifer 2017 RP-180 "Lilly" 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 31 Aug 2016 at 10:58am
You are correct. As a practical matter you can leave the little black switch on all the time. If shore power is available the heater will us it. The thermostats are such that, once heated, the electric element will take priority over the gas burner when maintaining the WH temperature. If for some reason you do not want the WH to remain hot, such as when plugged in at home for long periods of storage, turn of the black switch or turn off the circuit breaker. The gas switch on the interior wall should be turned off when traveling to prevent the burner from igniting on the road. When you set up at night you can turn it back on, either with or without shore power, as you prefer. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |