yes! another question!
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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=1650
Printed Date: 27 Apr 2024 at 1:25pm
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Topic: yes! another question!
Posted By: drdrew
Subject: yes! another question!
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2011 at 5:04pm
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what kind of day would it be without a question from me???? which switch for electric water heater? interior or exterior? in other words....how do i turn on the electric water heater instead of propane? ------------- 172T |
Replies:
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2011 at 5:11pm
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Believe it or not, the switch for the electric heater element is only accessed from outside. Remove the exterior access panel and you'll find a small rocker switch tucked up in a corner. I hear they sometimes have a tiny cotter pin through them to keep them from being turned on by accident. Mine did not.
One of the first mods I did to our 172 was add an interior switch with a pilot lamp for the electric element.
And just in case you were wondering, you can indeed run the gas and the electric at the same time for super fast recovery times - if you want.
Don't be shy, we love questions, ask away. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: drdrew
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2011 at 5:13pm
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so to go all electric i simply ignore the interior switch and at set up i turn on the exterior? is it okay to leave it on for a few days in that position? should i be sure to run some water into the heater by turning on the hot faucett before i turn it on? should i only turn it on when i am going to use hot water?
------------- 172T |
Posted By: drdrew
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2011 at 5:15pm
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and the reason for all the questions is my maiden voyage is in 11 days! so i am checking and using all systems right now to work out bugs before i go :)
------------- 172T |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2011 at 5:37pm
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Yes, to use electric just ignore the interior switch. You should most definitely be sure you have water in the tank and open the faucets to bleed out the air before you turn on the power.
You know about the bypass valves used for winterizing, right? The top and bottom valve handle should be in line (open) with the hoses, and the middle valve handle should be at a right angle (closed) to the hose.
You can leave the exterior switch on as long as you're sure the tank won't run dry. I understand it only takes a few minutes to burn the element out if it becomes exposed to air. I usually turn my interior electric switch off when we break camp, and then after setting up again, make sure there's no air in the hot water lines by running the faucets briefly before turning it back on. So far, so good.
Man, I'm jealous. I won't even be able to uncover my pod in 11 days. I doubt I could get it out of the side yard without burying my truck right now. Have fun. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: psaman
Date Posted: 15 Mar 2011 at 6:52pm
Cannot quite see the switch in this picture, but it is just to the left and behind the venturi looking tube.  ------------- 2011 R-177 "Sponge-Pod" 2011 F-150 XLT "Texas Edition" |
Posted By: drdrew
Date Posted: 16 Mar 2011 at 6:16pm
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thanks guys once again
------------- 172T |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2011 at 10:35am
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If you run electric and propane together as HuronSailer suggested, one nice feature is the cut-off temps for both are different. The electric is set slightly higher so it will maintain your tank temperature all day, but when you jump in the shower the propane will kick in along with the electric. I did this last year for our week at the beach and only heard the propane burner start up when we were showering or doing dishes. ------------- 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: 17 Mar 2011 at 10:57am
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When we are hooked to electric for more that one night, I just turn the electic switch to the on position outside and then use the breaker on the inside to start the hot water tank and turn it off when we are finished with the hot water. We do not leave the hot water tank on if we are not using it all the time. I always leave the breaker in the off position so I never start the tank empty.
Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: psaman
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2011 at 11:00am
That's a great idea; I'm going to start doing that. Thanks!! ------------- 2011 R-177 "Sponge-Pod" 2011 F-150 XLT "Texas Edition" |
Posted By: drdrew
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2011 at 11:48am
now you have gone and confused me....you mean the actual breaker switch inside the breaker box and NOT the propane switch, correct? are the breakers labelled? ------------- 172T |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 17 Mar 2011 at 9:53pm
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No reason to do that, the thermal switch in the tank will keep the electric element off most of the day anyway. I used to keep the propane burner off on our popup when we weren't showering to save propane. The switch was outside like the electric element switch on the 'pod, always a pain. One day I forgot to turn it off and we spent the day near the camper - and I almost never heard it kick on. Those tanks are well insulated. I left it on after that...
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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