Hot water heater working again
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=4812
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 2:23pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Hot water heater working again
Posted By: Camper Bob
Subject: Hot water heater working again
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 12:25am
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Last week was our first trip of the season. Motored out to the beautiful Oregon coast and parked at the campground. Full hookup and beautiful weather. Since we always have a full hookup we use the electric element only to heat the water. For the first two days, water was very hot. Third day the water heater ceased working on electric. Since we had hot water for the first two days, I ruled out not having water in the heater before turning it on and burning out the element. When the propane was turned on, we had hot water again. However, needed to have this attended to. Upon our return I took the Pod to Camping World and they diagnosed our problem as a defective hot water thermostat. I happened to review the documents that came with the trailer and noted that the Suburban hot water heater has a two year warranty. Camping World replaced the thermostat under warranty and we are ready for our next trip. Saved almost $200. Lessons learned. Always review all the documents for all the subsystems on our Pods before heading to the repair shop. The tech mentioned that he had recently run into a number of defective thermostats on Suburban water heaters. Additionally, he recommended not using the switch outside, but to use the circuit breaker inside to control the water heater when on shore power. If you find this happening to you, check your warranty before heading off to have a repair done. Additionally, to have it done under warranty the shop must be a certified warranty station for the item to be fixed. Also reviewed a number of videos on YouTube pertaining to water heater maintenance. Hope to see many of you in Sept. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Replies:
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2014 at 1:55pm
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Good info, thanks. ------------- 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: Goose
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2014 at 9:55am
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From day one I have always used the breaker inside to turn on and off the water heater for the electric mode, it was just easier than using the switch on the heater outside. Glade to hear that you were able to get it fixed at little cost. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: Cap-n-Cray
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2014 at 12:55pm
X2... ------------- Cary 2014 RP-177 |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2014 at 3:51pm
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I use both! Just to make sure it doesn't get flipped on with no water and burn up....
------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: cody91
Date Posted: 09 Jun 2014 at 11:21pm
| I was wondering if the Hot Water Heater circuit breaker is turned off, will the hot water heater still operate on propane heat if the hot water heater switch on the control panel is turned on? |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2014 at 12:26am
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Yes, it will work fine.
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 10 Jun 2014 at 6:56am
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Furpod is correct. The LPG mode on the water heater only needs the 12 volt source. ------------- 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: Flyin' Mike
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 10:46am
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Maybe someone can enlighten me. This is my first camper with a water heater. What exactly is the switch next to the water heater and what is the one on the monitor panel that is labeled water heater? How do I know if LPG, 120 or 12V is what the heater is using? Thanks. ------------- Rpod 178 |
Posted By: Flyin' Mike
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 11:24am
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One more issue is that all of the lightbulbs are coated black on the inside and the bases are turning brown They seem to be very warm when they are on. I have a photo but don't see how to attach one to a message. ------------- Rpod 178 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 12:17pm
The black bulbs are from the evaporation of tungsten on the inside of the bulbs. Incandescent bulbs are energy sucking heaters that also give off some light. Replace them with LEDs. You, your AC, and your battery will love it. ------------- 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: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2014 at 12:24pm
The switch on the WH is for the 120 volt electric element. Make absolutely sure you have water in the WH before you turn it on and plug in. The switch on the monitor panel is the propane WH burner. It does not require shore power. Both modes require minimal 12 volt power for control and ignition. 120V and propane can be used simultaneously for faster heating and recovery. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |