water pump
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=6868
Printed Date: 19 Jun 2025 at 8:58pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: water pump
Posted By: wingnut2312
Subject: water pump
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 9:09am
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Does anyone have issues getting water running through the lines? I seem to have some trouble when we go camping with getting the water running through properly, especially the hot water.
To clarify, I empty the tanks completely after camping including the low point drains. I do not pull the anode. When we get set up, I turn on the pump and the kitchen faucet. The cold comes out fine with a few air spurts. The hot doesn't until I run the hot and cold together. Even then, if I turn of the cold, no water comes out. Eventually, it does work fine. It takes about five minutes though and I know I'm just wasting water on this. Is this something everyone experiences? Am I having this issue because I emptied the tanks and the hot water tank needs to fill first? Is there a better way to fill the hot water tank so I'm not just running water? Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Replies:
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 9:53am
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It may me the water lines are letting air in, if that be the problem check to make sure all connections are tight. ------------- 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: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 10:10am
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You have to blow 6 gallons of air out of the Hot Water tank and fill it with 6 gallons of water. I don't remember the flow rate of the pumps but it takes time. We don't drain our system after use, only at winterization time. We sanitize our system at the beginning of the season and call it good. I usually do drain our fresh water tank each time, depending on where we picked it up and when we are using it again. Iif it's been a while since we have used the Pod sometimes I will hook the hose up to the city water inlet and flush the Hot Water tank. Something else we often do is put put a small amount of bleach in the water a when we fill the tank. (about and oz and a half) When we bought our Pod about two years ago I found some "fresh water" stuff which turns out to be bleach. I have it so I use it but any good clear bleach should work. (no aroma additives or such). We use bottled water for drinking and coffee. (I'm a little fussy about the taste of water) The small amount of bleach in the water is undetectable. If my wife can't smell it................ No problem.  ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 10:13am
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There is no reason at all to empty the system after every trip. The water heater is draining when you open the low points, so it has to refill.
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Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 12:45pm
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Ditto ! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 1:23pm
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You also need to have the hot water tank full of water before the heating element is turned on or the element will burn out. ------------- 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: john in idaho
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 4:00pm
| If you don't mind carrying water, fill the tanks at home. Get everything working right in the driveway then shut it off for the trip. should work again. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 7:04pm
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+1 to everything said above. Leave the water in your system between trips. When you are boondocking you will then have 6 more gallons of fresh water available. In the spring when you do your first fill, hook your hose up to the city water connection and fill your water heater before you leave. ------------- 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: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 8:18pm
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Is the hot water heater filled simple by connecting to city water, or do I need to do something else? How can I tell if it's full before turning it on, so I don't burn it out? ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: wingnut2312
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 9:33pm
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Thanks all! Figured it was the empty tank, but thought I'd ask anyways. ------------- 2014 rpod 182G Ford Expedition |
Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 9:50pm
You need to bleed the air out of the water heater. Open your hot water faucet let it run till it stops sputtering and a little extra just to be sure. This is especially important if you use the electric heater. If the heating element is not fully immersed in water it will burn out in very short order. Another reason to do fill you water heater at home. If you do this on the road and you are dry camping you may be using up valuable gray water capacity. (IF that is a concern) ------------- Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod (and Brewer too) 2011 RP 177 |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2015 at 11:06pm
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Thanks so much! ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: GLBCamper
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2015 at 2:27pm
Bumping my question up. ------------- Old: 2014 177 HRE 2015 Tacoma V6 4x4 Double Cab New: 2016 EVO ATS 200rd 2016 F150 4x4 Sport |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2015 at 3:07pm
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Just connect it to city water. We then run some water through the lines and go out an hit the switch turning on the hot water heater. ------------- 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: 29 Aug 2015 at 4:18pm
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You can fill the HWH with city water or from the potable tank. Either way, open the hot water valve at the sink a little bit at let the air come out until it stops spitting and there is nothing but water coming out of the tap. If you're filling from the potable tank you might want to top it off. Then you're you're set to turn on the gas or electric element. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |