Water heater electric?
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4980
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 11:05pm
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Topic: Water heater electric?
Posted By: Newsguy12
Subject: Water heater electric?
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 3:51pm
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Guys: is the water heater on my 2015 RP 179 propane only? I can't see any way to use electricity if it has an electric heating element in it. BTW, we have the Pod this week in Wyoming's Beartooth mountains. Glorious! ------------- Ram 1500 5.7L V-8 Hemi 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Replies:
Posted By: freezingalaskan
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 5:37pm
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I believe you will find a button on the water heater if you open the access hatch from the outside. It is a black rocker switch, I think. Supposedly, if you are hooked up to power then electric heat will be available. Never used it myself....Don't know what happens if you turn on that button without being hooked up to power, however.
freezingalaskan ------------- Volvo XC90 '13 rPod 179 '16 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 5:43pm
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I always keep mine off until I have the water hooked up and run it a little. Then I hit the black electric switch and the water heats up very fast. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 5:44pm
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The black switch is almost hidden, it is in the lower left corner as you look in the water heater area. ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 7:14pm
Local of electric hot water tank switch. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 7:19pm
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There you go!! A picture is worth thousand words!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2014 at 7:53pm
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If the water heaters are all the same, and you haven't used the electric element before, there may be a tiny little pin you have to pull to be able to flip the switch. Pull that pin and flip the switch but only after the water heater is full of water. Otherwise you can burn up the element very quickly. There is also a breaker in the breaker box specifically for the water heater. Most folks recommend you leave that off and use it to control the electric element, rather than go outside and flip the switch. Remember to turn the breaker or the switch off when not in use or you'll forget next time you hook up and the water heater tank is empty. You can use propane or electric or both for really fast recovery. The electric is 120v, so it only works when you have hookups. Battery power is always necessary for ignition when using propane. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 1:04am
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My suggestion to prevent burning out the element, just leave the water heater full all summer. That also keeps you from losing 6 gallons of water from the fresh water tank if you are boondocking and don't fill it until you get to camp. ------------- 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: cody91
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 9:50am
I like keeping the tank full too but is there any advantage in draining the low point drains between camping trips?
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 16 Jul 2014 at 9:58am
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None. Unless your "between trips" is 3-4 months, then I would re-sanitize the system.
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2014 at 1:06am
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Draining the low point drains will drain the water heater, too, although very slowly if you don't open a hot water valve somewhere. ------------- 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: RKTodd
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2014 at 9:21am
...but doesn't this cause the anode rod to deteriorate more rapidly? ------------- Randall & Rhonda 2014 RP-179 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2014 at 10:21pm
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No, the anode action is a function of the water hardness not exposure time directly. We have VERY hard water, and our anode has lasted 3 years so far. Our WH is full from spring until fall.
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