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Water Heater Element Replacement

Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Maintenance Issues, Tips and Tricks
Forum Description: Have you ever wondered how something works? Found a good way to do something? Discovered the hard way what NOT to do? Share them here.
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1454
Printed Date: 29 Mar 2024 at 2:33am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Water Heater Element Replacement
Posted By: Sandpiper
Subject: Water Heater Element Replacement
Date Posted: 19 May 2010 at 10:13pm
Well, despite all the warnings, remarks and advice we have a burned out water heater element. I am confident I am responsible for the element being burned out due to my unfamiliarity and haste in winterizing the Pod(Drained the tank and forgot to turn off the electric to the heater) .
We went camping over the weekend and the water would not heat up with the 120V so the trouble shooting found a burned out element.  So I am going to share my misfortune and try to make it a positive experience.

Lesson one:  Buy your replacement element from Home Depot #15896 120V 1500W Camco # 2142  cost $9.67.  The same element from a RV site was $11.36 with $6.98 shipping. A Suburban element # 520789 will set you back at least $19.50 + $4.59 shipping.

Lesson two: You will need a Screw in Element Wrench Camco # 15493 also available from Home Depot#154932 for $6.47.  Unless you have a much better selection of wenchs than I do you will need to have this wrench if you want to remove and replace the element.  It is a 1 1/2" wrench that looks like the "old" spark plug trench's.  You young whipper snappers will have to look it up.

Lesson three:  It is simple to replace the element .
WARNING:  SHUTOFF ALL POWER TO THE WATER HEATER:  I RECOMMEND REMOVING ALL 120V FROM THE POD:

OPEN the HOT Water faucet and leave it open until you are finished with replacing the element and refill the water heater.
Look at the manual figure 15 page 9 and remove these parts.
1.) The burner assembly(item 26)
2.)The outlet Manifold (item 37) along with items 55 and 56 which are the tubing nuts that are on item 37.  This stuff has to be removed to get the element out.
3.) Remove the three screws holding the element cover (item 24 and it's gasket)
4.) Remove the two wires attached to the element.
When the next step is performed the water heater will drain so be ready.
5.)Using the Element Wrench and a screw driver, remove the screw in heating element(item 28)
6.)Install the new heating element and using the Wrench and screw driver tighten the new element snug. Reverse the above steps and replace the items that were removed.
Now refill the water heater and when no more air comes out of the faucet, close the faucet and re apply 120v to the Pod and to the water heater.  Wait about 1/2 hour and the water should be rather warm.   The water heater has a recover rate of approx 6 gallons per hour so 1/2 hour should yield some rather warm water.
You are done and have saved at least $50 to $75 probably more at today's mechanics rates.
My cost $24.09 + a Yeungling because I didn't learn about Home Depot Elements until I had ordered one on line.
It didn't take me an hour to replace the element and the tools I used were
1   Cresent wrench
1   Phillips head screw driver
1   slotted head screw driver
1   7/16" open end wrench
1  5"(long)Screw in Element Wrench
and One Yeungling when I was all finished


-------------
Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper
Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S]



Replies:
Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 19 May 2010 at 10:27pm
Thanks a bunch for this info. You rock!Thumbs Up

-------------

2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 19 May 2010 at 10:38pm
Great stuff, Sandpiper. Thanks for posting that. I will try not to follow in your footsteps by trying to remember to shut down the heater before dumping the water but, if I forget, I will know how to fix it. However, I must comment on one of your statements:

"Unless you have a much better selection of wenchs than I do . . . "
 
My bride of 39 years doesn't allow me to have any of those LOL
 
Take care,
-- Steve


-------------

Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 19 May 2010 at 10:39pm
Kenn
After reading your post about cold weather camping I think you might get ROCKED--
with big stones if you catch my drift.OuchWink

No offense meant no offense taken.

Ratdog : 
As a certified old timer  wenchs and wrenchs all look the same after a Yeungling.


-------------
Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper
Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S]


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 10:09am
Thanks for the course Sand-Man !!!

Think I'll give it a test to see if our element is working. We use "both" AC and LP
on the Water Heater. LP for the "giddy-up", and AC for consistancey.
In cooler weather the LP kicks on more often.

I tried to order some wenches, but the better half didn't approve.
I guess I'm not cut-out for a political life style .....


Posted By: tedbear
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 10:21am

I burned up my element as well by not making sure the tank was full before turning it on.  I sure wish there was an on-off switch inside the camper like with the gas water heater (or has someone here already done that?).  I am now in the habit of turning it on and off only when I need it (like for a shower) and leave the panel door hanging open as a reminder to turn it off as soon as I'm done.



Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 11:11am
Sorry to hear your element bit the dust too.  That makes two of us that would like to have a switch inside the Pod.  I'll accept the challenge and see what I can come up with.  I didn't understand the switch being outside the first time I read the manual.  I think (which gets me in trouble) there are switches with pilot lights that light when the switch is turned on.   When trouble shooting the element I checked the voltage in the junction box on the water heater and it would be easy to add a switch there or maybe one near the distribution box.  I'll also check because I think someone has already done this mod.

-------------
Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper
Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S]


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 11:20am
Nothing gets past you Sand-Man !!!

Yes, there's a mod post where someone has added a "light" indicating
the element is active. They put it near the monitor panel/LP switch !!


Posted By: popgoesweasel
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 1:13pm
There is one mod in Maintenace Issues, Tips and Tricks.

It is called Water Heater Switch (revised pics) and is on page 16 in that set.

If and when we have some time with our unit, it is now on our list of mods to add.


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2019 Micro-Lite 21FBRG towed by a 2009 Nissan Frontier


Posted By: Mrs. 'Piper
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 2:12pm
http://rpodnation.com/water-heater-switch-revised-pics_topic578.html - http://rpodnation.com/water-heater-switch-revised-pics_topic578.html .......this is the link to the post and pics to add a water heater switch to the inside of the pod


-------------
Mrs. 'Piper (Anne)
Sandpiper (Carroll)
RPOD 177
Site #196 2011 Eastern Roundup


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 2:31pm
Originally posted by PodPatrol PodPatrol wrote:

Nothing gets past you Sand-Man !!!

Yes, there's a mod post where someone has added a "light" indicating
the element is active. They put it near the monitor panel/LP switch !!


MY BAD !!! The Mod I was referring to was a LP indicator light, and NOT the AC heating element.
They added a indicator light to tell if the WH was on or off. This is of course a different light than the
LP WH indicator light that comes with the Pod.


Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 2:50pm
I love it, I love it.  I go out to mow an acre or two and come back and the problem is solved.  Thank you popgosweasel and Mrs. 'Piper.  And thank you most of all Huron Sailor for the original idea.

So there you have it tedbear, how did I do ?Wink

Now which one of you want to go get the parts and which one wants to put them in while I go have a Yuengling?  Big smile

The people on this forum never cease to amaze me.



-------------
Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper
Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S]


Posted By: Tink
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 5:16pm
Why don't you just flip the breaker off when you're done with the water heater?  I couldn't get my water heater to work and the switch was on. Then I tried to use the gas. No go. I had to take the pod back to the dealer for another leak and put that on my list. They showed me the breaker. DUH!! I never thought to look there. Heck, I didn't even know there were breakers!!!! Now it works every time!

-------------

Tink'rPod 174 Knoxville,TN,


Posted By: rpoders2
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 7:17pm
[QUOTE=Sandpiper]Lesson two: You will need a Screw in Element Wrench Camco # 15493 also available from Home Depot#014717154932 for $6.47.  Unless you have a much better selection of wenchs than I do...
 
Thanks, Sandpiper...NOW Taller Half is finally interested in this forum!
 
 


-------------
Ellen, Dick (2 legs)
Mo Chara (the camping cat) Dudley (the world's best camping dog)
RPod 173
'07 Honda Pilot


Posted By: R&T's Pod
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 7:43pm
And having changed water heater elements before, that $6.47 wrench/socket, is worth the price paid for the reduction in aggrivation.  Rob

-------------
2010 R-Pod 175 2007 F-150 Super Cab http://www.rtspod.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow - R&T's Podding Blog



Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 8:30pm
Originally posted by rpoders2 rpoders2 wrote:

[QUOTE=Sandpiper]Lesson two: You will need a Screw in Element Wrench Camco # 15493 also available from Home Depot#014717154932 for $6.47.  Unless you have a much better selection of wenchs than I do...
 
Thanks, Sandpiper...NOW Taller Half is finally interested in this forum!
 
 

S h e e s h  !  One little fumble fingers mistake and now I catch the devil from everyone. Embarrassed 
Actually,   I was just trying to build up some interest on the forum !  And it worked ---Didn't it ?

And as for you Tink--- "Flip the breaker ?"  you take the fun out of it.  Smile


-------------
Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper
Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S]


Posted By: Kenn
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 8:45pm
Originally posted by Sandpiper Sandpiper wrote:

Kenn
After reading your post about cold weather camping I think you might get ROCKED--
with big stones if you catch my drift.OuchWink

No offense meant no offense taken.

Ratdog : 
As a certified old timer  wenchs and wrenchs all look the same after a Yeungling.
None taken. I couldn't have lasted 16+ years in the Army if I had thin skin Wink

-------------

2010 RPOD 176 (Silly-POD), 2011 Forest River Stealth 2612, and 2014 Forest River XLR 380AMP


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 20 May 2010 at 8:49pm
Sandpiper:
 
Your kind of "interest" I can appreciate Sand-manShocked .... Tinks approach may be very direct, but effective !!!LOL 
Thanks for the parts infoe too, that is the stuff that makes this forum so great, people going above and beyond ....
 
*all of a sudden I have this voice in my head that keeps repeating "check the element, check the element, check the element" ......*


Posted By: rpoders2
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 9:56am
Originally posted by Sandpiper Sandpiper wrote:

Originally posted by rpoders2 rpoders2 wrote:

[QUOTE=Sandpiper]Lesson two: You will need a Screw in Element Wrench Camco # 15493 also available from Home Depot#014717154932 for $6.47.  Unless you have a much better selection of wenchs than I do...
 
Thanks, Sandpiper...NOW Taller Half is finally interested in this forum!
 
 

S h e e s h  !  One little fumble fingers mistake and now I catch the devil from everyone. Embarrassed 
Actually,   I was just trying to build up some interest on the forum !  And it worked ---Didn't it ?

And as for you Tink--- "Flip the breaker ?"  you take the fun out of it.  Smile
 
This really made me smile Big smile this morning!
I'm so glad we can tease each other.
Years ago when Taller Half and I were doing a morning radio show here in Milwaukee, you can imagine the kinds of "fumble lips" we had some days!  Every once in a while turning a family show into something that wasn't really, for a second.  LOL  Listeners would kid us about it years later.
32+ years of live radio...Taller Half even wanted to call our Pod 173 "The Podcaster"!!!!!!!
 


-------------
Ellen, Dick (2 legs)
Mo Chara (the camping cat) Dudley (the world's best camping dog)
RPod 173
'07 Honda Pilot


Posted By: Butterfly_Lee
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 10:00am
 "The Podcaster"!!!!!!!What a Great Name..Go with it... No Kidding.
 
 
 
LeeClap


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Still a work in progress, lots of pictures.
http://podterfly.blogspot.com/


Posted By: rpoders2
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 10:10am
Originally posted by Butterfly_Lee Butterfly_Lee wrote:

 "The Podcaster"!!!!!!!What a Great Name..Go with it... No Kidding.
 
 
 
LeeClap
Okay, Lee...I will seriously consider it.  We met in radio when he hired me to work at his station in central Illinois...he "stole" me from another station and then married me Embarrassed and we have worked together ever since retiring a couple years ago.  The only reason I hestitated about the name is because radio had changed so much since we first met and worked in media in 1974...the last few years didn't hold alot of good memories for us...but I'm still grateful for the good times!


-------------
Ellen, Dick (2 legs)
Mo Chara (the camping cat) Dudley (the world's best camping dog)
RPod 173
'07 Honda Pilot


Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 10:11am
I am constantly amazed by the diversity of people and their backgrounds here on THE forum. I second Butterfly's motion .  Call  your R Pod   Podcaster.

I'm having difficulty waiting to meet all these wonderful people in Kentucky at the Roundup and wish more of the forum members could join us.  What a hoot it would be if all of us could get together in person.



-------------
Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper
Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S]


Posted By: pepperpod
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 4:55pm
Love Podcaster!!!Clap

-------------
Pepper,Coach,and Henry (a very brave little Maltese)
R Pod 172

The rewards of the journey far outweigh the risk of leaving the harbor...unknown


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 5:13pm
Originally posted by rpoders2 rpoders2 wrote:

[Taller Half even wanted to call our Pod 173 "The Podcaster"!!!!!!!
 
 
Being somewhat of a musician, that name would have been taken "long ago" if I wasn't totally a Gibson LesPaul guy !!! (Stratocaster/Fender I'm "not")
 
I believe you may have backed into this one LOL ...  Its a "no-brainer", "Podcaster" is calling ....Thumbs Up


Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 6:16pm
Originally posted by PodPatrol PodPatrol wrote:

Being somewhat of a musician, that name would have been taken "long ago" if I wasn't totally a Gibson LesPaul guy !!! (Stratocaster/Fender I'm "not")
 
 
I have a Strat but I don't think I ever would have made the Stratocaster + r-pod = PodCaster connection.
 
Good one!
 
-- Steve


-------------

Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier
2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD
2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon)


Posted By: PodPatrol
Date Posted: 21 May 2010 at 6:27pm
HHHhhhmmmm,,, LesPod .... nnnaawwww. But "Podcaster" is way kewl !!!


Posted By: Pie_Pod
Date Posted: 22 May 2010 at 4:21pm
Pod_Patrol texted me that our Water Heater Element is not working....He's at the Lake with his son and the Pod..I'm going to join him after work (I get a whopping 12 hours and then I have to come back here for work again tomorrow)...It looks like we will be making the water heater element repair next weekend...
 
 


-------------
~cindy (Pod_Patrol's Girl)


Posted By: Sandpiper
Date Posted: 22 May 2010 at 7:51pm
Home depot has every thing you need except elbow grease and PodPatrol can furnish that.  Before he starts make sure the circuit breaker is ON (it is #5 in the breaker box) as well as the switch on the outside by the heater.
 Didn't you guys have the dealer winterize your pod?  Maybe he should replace the element. 

-------------
Sandpiper
Mrs.'Piper
Ford 150-[Mini Lite 2104S]



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