Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Hot Water Heater Issue

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Hot Water Heater Issue

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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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=8888
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 6:20pm
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Topic: Hot Water Heater Issue

Posted By: DaveS
Subject: Hot Water Heater Issue
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 11:36am

So just returned from a 7 week trip. We have a 2014 178. We ended up having a problem while traveling with the hot water heater. The switch on the outside is on and can't toggle it off. If I understand the good info here that means the HWH will run on electric. So tank works fine when we camp and turn on the inside switch which then allows the gas to heat up the water. We turn the inside switch off before travel and everything appears ok. We got home last night and I plugged into shore power and left the inside switch off. I was assuming the electric would heat the water up over night. I checked this morning and water in tank is cold. So I assume that means I may have more than a switch issue? I understand the switch being completely bad could cause the electric to not heat the water. I have to go look at how much of a pain it is to look at the switch for repair or replacement. Any thoughts or suggestions are appreciated?

Thanks, Dave

Replies:

Posted By: sailor323
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 2:26pm

Yes, could be a bad switch. Fairly easy to replace. Access is a bit tight, given where the switch is located. A small screwdriver can be used to pry it loose and pop it out. Replacement available at any home improvement store

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 4:08pm

+ 1 Sailor is most likely spot on here, good advice.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 5:27pm

Might also check the breaker in the pod. Many owners choose to not actually use the outside switch, but to control the 120v side of the water heater with the breaker.

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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 7:37pm

Bit confused as to inside switch and gas, I keep my outside switch off until I have ensured water is available to water heater. Once I have flow I enable inside circuit breaker, thus both inside and outside switches are on. Agree many leave outside on and enable heat from inside once heater has water, the gas part is confusing to me. Agree outside could be defective if it makes no difference.

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 08 Oct 2016 at 8:34pm

Originally posted by mcarter

Bit confused as to inside switch and gas, I keep my outside switch off until I have ensured water is available to water heater. Once I have flow I enable inside circuit breaker, thus both inside and outside switches are on. Agree many leave outside on and enable heat from inside once heater has water, the gas part is confusing to me. Agree outside could be defective if it makes no difference.

I am not sure what you are saying, the inside "switch" is for running on gas. The outside switch is for running on 120v. The BREAKER for the 120v switch is in the power distribution panel.

BTW, you can run on gas AND 120v at the same time. Faster recovery if needed.

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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 4:15pm

Thanks furpod, tracking now:)

Posted By: DaveS
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2016 at 4:41pm

Thanks for the response Furpod. I was able to get the outside switch working again. If the circuit breaker is on and the outside switch is on should I expect the water heater to heat the water on electric only? I know I can run both gas and electric at the same time and that will warm the water more quickly. Right now I am trying to determine if the electric is working the way it is supposed to. Thanks for the input.

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 11 Oct 2016 at 7:26pm

Originally posted by DaveS

If the breaker is in the on position, and the outside switch is in the on position, and the pod is hooked up to shore power, and the inside switch is OFF, then the WH will be running on elec only.

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