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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Hot water frustratio - help me take a warm shower
    Posted: 05 May 2015 at 12:24pm
Sounds like you changed the pressure regulator.  Flow-restrictor valve is inside the tank.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 866 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2015 at 9:43pm
I have to agree with T/trek. I had the same problem with the purchase of a new 2011 Rp 172. Stove top would light and slowly go down and then out. I would check connections, change tanks, etc. I changed regulators and no improvement, I finally changed the hose and connector with the flow restrictor and that fixed the problem. We suffered for 2 years with crappy performance from the water heater, stove and worse the furnace on our first trip when the temps got down to 25 d/f. We now primarily use a 1500 watt electric heater, much quieter. I bet the flow restrictor is the problem. It is a cheap fix. I think what aggravates me most is that it was not caught on the Pre Delivery.
Dane and Donna Smith
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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2015 at 8:38pm
Probably the flow-limiting valve, just took a while to reset.  Stick to the 60-second rule when you open the tank and you'll be fine in the future. 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 25 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2015 at 10:33pm
Well folks, all is well. Don't ask me how because I can't exactly pinpoint it. I'm goin to assume the lines hadn't properly bled out yet, because not only did my burners work properly this morning, my water heater functioned great tonight. The propane gauge is reading higher than it ha the whole time and is now holding.

The wife is happy, and so am I. Thanks for the support
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Posts: 25 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 May 2015 at 6:40pm
Thanks everyone. Good info all the way around. I left the tank connected and on throughout the rest I the day and now my stove top burners are functioning normally. I will try the water heater this evening with a shower and report back. The gauge was reading low/nearly empty for several hours yesterday and finally, by itself, returned to the full position.

I don't believe the regulator/gauge has been replaced, the previous owner did not camp much.

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techntrek View Drop Down
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2015 at 8:46pm
This is the easiest way to see how much fuel you actually have in the tank.  Take a cup of hot water and slowly pour it down the side of the tank.  Wait 10 seconds, then run the back of your finger down the side.  It will feel warm above the fuel level, and cool below it.  Even a full tank will only have fuel up to the 80% mark.  I know you may not have a way to get hot water from your own camper, but maybe you can ask for a cup from a neighbor?

That will solve the first question.  The next question, assuming you do have propane, is why the pressure drops after a few seconds.  One may be a faulty flow-limiting device, which is a safety valve built into the tank.  When you first turn on the tank you should spend about 60 seconds opening the valve on top, otherwise you will trigger the flow-limiting valve.  However, even if you trigger it, after a while it will reset itself and you should be able to operate normally, I would say within an hour or less.  First make sure the black connection on the tank is tight.  If it is loose it could allow enough propane to escape to trigger the flow-limiter.  Next, go back to your helpful neighbor and ask to borrow his tank to see if you have the same problem using his tank.  Remember - take 60 seconds opening the triangular valve on the top of the tank.

If you are still having a problem, the final culprit would be the pressure regulator, which is the device at the end of the hose that connects to the propane tank.  They are easy to change out with a wrench and some teflon tape.  The 2009 and 2010 pods had a lot of problems with the regulators that had to be changed out under warranty, or yours just may be showing its age.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2015 at 10:29am
It sounds like you are using one of those "gauges" that screw onto the valve between the tank and the gas line. If so, you're witnessing the limitation of such. They are completely worthless. They are only accurate when they read empty. The only really accurate way to determine how much propane you have is by weight.
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Posts: 25 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 May 2015 at 9:35am
Tried the gas stove this morning, same sort of deal. Lit the stove and ran just fine for 5 seconds then burned out. Waited a minute, lit again, less gas this time and it burned out again.

EDIT: at this point I think I'm pretty much out of propane, unless my gauge is truly reading wrong. It's telling me I'm pretty low instead of doing the normal climb back to a full reading.
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Posts: 1807 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2015 at 9:33pm
Will the stove light?

That will make sure it's not your regulator and also will help bleed the lines.  Light your stove and then try your water heater, it may take several attempts with the reset light coming on and then you turning it off and trying again.
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Posts: 25 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 May 2015 at 9:24pm
Hey guys- total newb here...
First off, I have a 2010 Rpod 171
So I'm currently camping and can not for the life of me get hot water. I'm not hooked up to electricity, don't know if this is an issue. I just exchanged for a fresh propane tank, hooked my water hose up, turned two valves to the on position connected to the water heater(cold in, warm out), cleared the lines of air by running the water from the hot sink and shower valves, turned on propane, hit hot water heater power button and...

*takes a breath*

I hear the heater clicking for a moment, a sound resembling a pilot light lighting and the burning? Noise of what I assumed to be the water getting warmed up. A few short seconds later the reset button came on and I heard the clicking again, light it was trying to relight. Light goes off, burning noise again for less time, reset button on... I check my propane and the needle says the tank is empty. So I turn the water heater off and very slowly my needle returns to show a full tank again.

I'm lost, new at this, and have a grumpy wife who is not excited with the idea of taking cold showers for the next THREE WEEKS
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