First prep questions
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=4148
Printed Date: 24 Apr 2024 at 6:42am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.0 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: First prep questions
Posted By: mike98465
Subject: First prep questions
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 9:25am
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We have never owned an RV but love camping and decided to buy a small RV and after lots of shopping, landed on the 178, drove 3.5 hours over mountain passes to get it (saved $3k over the local dealers "best price"), made it home (never pulled a trailer before either) and have been prepping the unit for our first big trek next week. I've de-winterized the tanks (flushed the anti-freeze, then filled with a bleach mixture and flushed that too), got the toilet working (treated that and the gray tank with the stuff you put 2 oz of in it) and tested the heater and propane). I hooked up the unit to city water (running a hose to the city water connector) and got flow just fine) and plugged the unit into a regular household plug ( running on a 100 ft extension chord which I know loses some "umph"). I tried to follow the water heater prep steps but could not get the hot water heater to work? The water hitter switch kept getting the "reset" button so I thought that perhaps I wasn't getting enough power. So I turned on the propane instead and that seemed to work better --- It did slightly warm the water but only for like say 15 seconds of flow before cold again? I then wondered if because I was on city water (and not tank water) whether the hot water tank was full--- so I've now opted to put water in the holding tank and hope that somehow THAT fills up the hot water tank and will warm the water (I've left the propane and hot water tank on over night). See, I told you I was a rookie! What am I doing wrong? Any advice? I will go check what happened overnight soon. By the way, I should have mentioned that I did turn the two knobs (the hot and cold labeled ones above and below each other by the tank) to be perpendicular to the pipes-- the orientation stressed both go the same way). There was also a third knob (to the right of the two when looking down) that I didn't touch...should have I?). Thanks for any advice you can offer! ------------- Thanks for any advice! |
Replies:
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 11:08am
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From the sounds of it you found the toggle switch in the outside water heater compartment. Make sure it is turned on. It seems like your shut off valves (for winterizing and dewinterizing) might not be in the proper positions. If you look around here you will find a thread with pic of how they should be aligned. Also NEVER turn on your water heater until you have filled the hot water tank with water, you'll burn out the element very quickly. If at some point your not getting water pressure out of your taps, first thing is to check that no debris is clogging the nozzle of you tap Our 1st year we had no problem.. 2nd season we had debris clog up the nozzle.. and it didn't take much. I also was/am a first time tt owner coming from a tent. The forums are great places to find and get help. Happy podding. ------------- Ron & Shirley W 2007 FJ Cruiser 2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing.. |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 11:15am
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Just read you thread again. I believe you should have the turned the knobs to be horizontal or going in the same direction as the water lines, so the water will follow along the lines into and out of the hot water tank. The other knob is the one use for winterization. As I can't get to my pod yet(just got another 2in of snow over night, will winter never end...)I can't quite picture how the lay out of the pipes are.. still a fairly new podder myself. Like I said check out the forums for help. ------------- Ron & Shirley W 2007 FJ Cruiser 2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing.. |
Posted By: Marwayne
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 12:46pm
This is the position the valves have to be in for use of the HWT, for winterisation the valves positions have to be reversed. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself! 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra Limited 5.7 Litre |
Posted By: mike98465
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 2:34pm
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Thanks all. I do think these are the position ours are in (will doublecheck though---for our 178, we have to move the mattress, unscrew the plywood top portion of the bed and remove to be able to gain access). What is weird is that we do seem to have a small amount of hot water (like say 10 seconds tops of running water when we trun on the hot water knob on the sink...after a period of cold it gets hot for a max ten seconds before gradually getting cooler)....it just doesnt seem like enough though? Also, ive seen all the warnings about not trying the hot water until you're sure there is water in the hot water tank...well, how can you tell? It didnt seem to work as well with the city water (hose) hooked into the rpod and electrical so I filled the fresh tank and used propane instead...should it work either way? I appreciate any advice...as I said, this is my FIRST RV and getting ready for our FIRST trip! Thanks!
------------- Thanks for any advice! |
Posted By: Marwayne
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 2:40pm
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We had the same problem the first time we wanted to use the HWH, I am sure that all of your valves are open. It should work either way. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself! 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra Limited 5.7 Litre |
Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2014 at 3:03pm
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Sounds to me too, that your valves may not be set correctly.
-- Steve ------------- Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier 2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD 2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon) |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 8:45am
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One way to check the level in the hot water tank is to press the pressure release valve on your hot water tank and if water comes out you have a full tank. Or you could just turn on a hot water tap and if water comes out... bob's your uncle. ------------- Ron & Shirley W 2007 FJ Cruiser 2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing.. |
Posted By: mike98465
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 4:03pm
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Hi folks, Pleased to report we have hot water now---we didn't have one knob turned the right way so thanks to Marwayne for the pic and all for the advice! Related question: I've seen different thoughts on when camping, leaving the water heater ON when on propane or turning it off and only heating up when needed. Thoughts? Assuming one shower per day (fast one) and dishwashing using the hot water (say one sinkful--lots of paper plates etc), and minimal need for the furnace and stove top, will the 20 lb. propane tank last a few days (say 3-4) if I just keep it on? Or it it better to keep off (and keep the water pump off as well) when not directly needed? Appreciate any thoughts. ------------- Thanks for any advice! |
Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 4:19pm
Mike, we've found that if we initially heat the water tank with propane (to get it hot fast), we can shut off the propane and just let the electric keep it hot. If you use a lot of hot water this may not work but it works fine for the 2 of us. Why pay to heat your water when you can let the campground do it for you? <LOL> -- Steve ------------- Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier 2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD 2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon) |
mike98465 wrote:Posted By: mike98465
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 4:40pm
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Thanks so much for that tip, Ratdog! Makes sense and we hope we won't use alot of hot water! Famous last words perhaps..... ------------- Thanks for any advice! |
Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 4:51pm
You're welcome. And, hey, if you run out of hot water using the electric heater, it's no big deal. Just turn on your propane for a few minutes and you're back in business. Just a reminder, as you've already been advised, be sure not to have your electric element turned on with an empty tank. --Steve ------------- Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier 2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD 2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon) |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 7:25pm
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Mike, we've never used our propane for hot water as we are always on electric sites. Once in place, first thing we do is plug in to electric and turn on hot water. When you fill your hot water tank for the first time each season, the hot water tank will be full for the rest of the year, until you empty it for winterization. But to be safe, after plugging in to power, before turning on water heater we always test for water to come out of hot water taps before turning the toggle switch for hot water. ------------- Ron & Shirley W 2007 FJ Cruiser 2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing.. |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 01 Apr 2014 at 7:30pm
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Sorry forgot to add: By the time you have finished setting up, your hot water is hot and your ready to enjoy your stay. I'm assuming you've either got your fresh water tank full or on city water. ------------- Ron & Shirley W 2007 FJ Cruiser 2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing.. |
Posted By: mike98465
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2014 at 9:44pm
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Thanks Ron (and all). Everything seems to be working fine in my driveway--/ our first actual trip part of Spring break for a child) starts Monday--- a three nighter at a park on the strait of Juan de Fuca on the northwest Washington coast. Will file a brief report after (and am guessing I may have a few questions, too); ------------- Thanks for any advice! |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2014 at 11:08pm
This is a great place for questions and answers. And I mean all kind of questions, we were all first time podders at one time or another. We have our first trip planned for May 21... hope snow is gone by then...  ------------- Ron & Shirley W 2007 FJ Cruiser 2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing.. |
Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2014 at 7:56am
Ron - My wife grew up in Minnesota and tells me she remembers it snowing in June. I know you live even further into the frozen tundra. What's the latest in the year you've seen snow? -- Steve ------------- Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier 2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD 2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon) |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2014 at 9:39am
The spring of 71.... We had a snow pile where the sun couldn't get to it. It was into the 2nd week of June.... LOL I guess you call that the summer of 71... I remember walking home from work in mid-winter, about 5am in the morning.. (left early) during a snow blizzard and the snow in the streets were up to my mid thigh... But as for latest snow fall, yes in June also, didn't stay but it did snow. As someone??? once said " you live there on purpose..."  ------------- Ron & Shirley W 2007 FJ Cruiser 2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing.. |
Posted By: Ratdog
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2014 at 9:50am
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During the 7 years I lived in MN, I heard the joke that everyone hopes that summer falls on the weekend so everyone can enjoy it before winter arrives again <LOL>.
We moved to MN in May. When winter arrived and the first snow started to fall, I was excited. I stood there staring out the window just amazed at what was going on. After about 20 minutes, my wife came in the room and handed me a shovel. Things were never the same again. -- Steve ------------- Steve, Anne, and Paige the Rat Terrier 2013 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid AWD 2011 RP-177 (aka: The Circus Wagon) |
Posted By: ron_whitt
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2014 at 1:02pm
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LOL I hear you Steve. Muckluks,shovels and snow blowers... 3 things you can't do without north of 49... With the weather reports this coming week, I'm hoping the snow is going to take a s**t kicking... I truly hope that some day we do get to meet up somewhere. We have our first week booked for the week of May 21... Silent Lake prov. park.. About 3 connecting small lakes with no motors allowed, not even electric motors.. hope all the snow is gone by then..... Happy podding this year bud and talk to you again. ------------- Ron & Shirley W 2007 FJ Cruiser 2012 177.. "EHHH" R Pod" its a canadian thing.. |