Brand new camper, did I break it already?

RhoZeta · 10-18-2010, 11:47 AM

Just took delivery of brand new Rockwood 8316SS, plugged in power, checked all electrical, everything working. Plugged in city water, check supplies and drains after running water everywhere and I can find no leaks. The problem is, the gas/electric water heater was plugged in to electric under sink so I know it got powered up with no water in it and of course there is no hot water coming out of hot taps. Did I burn up the rod? I can not find a switch on the water heater itself, just a reset.

How much do those rods cost?

frankm · 10-18-2010, 11:57 AM

RhoZeta, there is a small rocker switch in the water heater accessible from the outside WH panel. It is pretty well hidden so you have to get kind of low and look for it. It may just be turned off.

NWJeeper · 10-18-2010, 12:02 PM

If in fact the electrical element was turned on when you plugged in to power and you didn't have water in the tank then yes you more than likely burned out the electric element, it doesn't take long for them to go if there is no water in the tank. If so you can still use propane to heat the water until you get a new element.

grandpaofthree · 10-18-2010, 12:26 PM

Just a note...make sure that the water heater has not been bypassed. Somewhere in the area of your water heater you should be able to see the "cold in (blue)" and "hot out (red)" water lines. Most likely there is also a bypass installed which will divert cold water before it gets to the water heater and around to the hot out without passing through the water heater. Water will travel in the direction of the valves.

threegr8katz · 10-18-2010, 12:43 PM

I am confused? electric supplies then city water and water running everwhere?? Is it me or is that hard to read?understand?

So what is the correct step here, hook up water fill water heater then plug in power? I thought these water heaters were electric /gas powered , down't you have to switch something and or light it ?
HMMMMMMMMM

MtnGuy · 10-18-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threegr8katz

I am confused? electric supplies then city water and water running everwhere?? Is it me or is that hard to read?understand?

So what is the correct step here, hook up water fill water heater then plug in power? I thought these water heaters were electric /gas powered , down't you have to switch something and or light it ?
HMMMMMMMMM

Make sure bypass valves are in the proper position. The red and blue line valve should be parallel with the lines, and the line joining the red and blue should be perpendicular to that line.

Hook up city water line, or cut on water pump. Run water out of each spigot via the hot water knob. That will fill the water heater.

To run on electric, make sure breaker is on in the power center, and throw the small toggle switch to on located at the bottom left on the outside portion of the water heater......it is well hidden. When you winterized your camper, make sure the toggle switch is turned off.

To run on gas, there should be a toggle switch somewhere in you camper. Get gas to your oven 1st to purge the lines.

SaskCampers · 10-18-2010, 02:03 PM

WHat mtnguy said but open the water heater access panel outside the trailer and pop open the pressure relief valve to ensure the heater is full before turning on the heater. Not sure where your water heater controls are beside the one on the heater itself that has been discussed. You may have the Forrest River control center like we do and all your switches are on it.

RhoZeta · 10-18-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankm

RhoZeta, there is a small rocker switch in the water heater accessible from the outside WH panel. It is pretty well hidden so you have to get kind of low and look for it. It may just be turned off.

Excellent, I did not see any switches in the WH compartment other than the reset switch that is behind a rubber boot. I will look for the small rocker when I get home. Thanks Frank!

RhoZeta · 10-18-2010, 02:10 PM

Yes, bypass valve is closed, made sure of that. Next I will manually open the the pressure relief valve to bleed any air and then find the rocker switch.
There is a switch on the control panel in the camper but it is for the dsi.

RhoZeta · 10-18-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threegr8katz

I am confused? electric supplies then city water and water running everwhere?? Is it me or is that hard to read?understand?

So what is the correct step here, hook up water fill water heater then plug in power? I thought these water heaters were electric /gas powered , down't you have to switch something and or light it ?
HMMMMMMMMM

Sorry for the confusion, should have read ran water at each valve/tap. Only trying to run it on elec right now, have not turned on gas. That will be after I get the water heater working on electric.

RhoZeta · 10-18-2010, 02:20 PM

Thanks for everybodies quick and helpful replies! It is greatly apreciated.
RZ

grhodes50 · 10-18-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhoZeta

Sorry for the confusion, should have read ran water at each valve/tap. Only trying to run it on elec right now, have not turned on gas. That will be after I get the water heater working on electric.

One more thing to look out for. If you heat your water by elec, then switch to gas, the red light may not come on and the water heater may not try to light. It's because the water in the tank is already hot. After the water cools the gas side will operate normally. I ran into this a couple of times before NWJeeper was able to helped me out.

RhoZeta · 10-18-2010, 06:05 PM

Found it!!

Lower aft end of WH area, under a lot of pipes and wires.

It even has an R key to safe it in the off position, for when it is winterized I am assuming?
Pulled the pin, hit the switch and after about 5 minutes warm water started flowing.

Thanks again for every body's help!

rockwood06 · 10-18-2010, 06:23 PM

I have one suggestion and this is what I do and it works for me, after camping I turn the breaker off in the breaker panel to the water heater this way I know that the water heater is off.
When we go back out for camping and connect the city water up and turn it on I then open all hot water sides to all of the sinks to make sure a steady flow of water is present then I turn the breaker on to the water heater. This work every time and while driving away I don't have to think back and try to remember If I turn the switch off to the water heater.

RhoZeta · 10-18-2010, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockwood06

I have one suggestion and this is what I do and it works for me, after camping I turn the breaker off in the breaker panel to the water heater this way I know that the water heater is off.
When we go back out for camping and connect the city water up and turn it on I then open all hot water sides to all of the sinks to make sure a steady flow of water is present then I turn the breaker on to the water heater. This work every time and while driving away I don't have to think back and try to remember If I turn the switch off to the water heater.

Thanks for the tip, I am currently writing a pre and post flight check list to be done before towing to and during setup at camp and then breaking camp/towing home and subsequent unloading and trip back to the hangar.
Water heater on and off W/purge will be on them.

I will have my checklist and Me Wife will have hers.....

RhoZeta · 10-18-2010, 08:39 PM

A quick picture of the new toy... more to come.

Goomph · 10-18-2010, 09:26 PM

Pheeew ! My fingers were crossed for you ! I am glad it was in the off position. I always turn it off when I am done camping regardless of whether I have water in the water heater tank or not. Just in case it leaked or something and it is dry and might be harmed when I plug in the power, as that is the first thing I do when I am setting up.

chevy02 · 10-18-2010, 11:07 PM

Very nice camper .Looking forward to more pics. Good luck and enjoy

Time2Tow · 10-19-2010, 09:44 AM

rockwood06-I just picked up our new Signature Ultralite 8296SS this past weekend and during the walkthrough with the dealer, the tech mentioned that some people turn the heater off by using the breaker, as you do. However, he said this could weaken the breaker over time and it may start to trip on its own, unecessariily. I just thought I would share that.

MtnGuy · 10-19-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Time2Tow

rockwood06-I just picked up our new Signature Ultralite 8296SS this past weekend and during the walkthrough with the dealer, the tech mentioned that some people turn the heater off by using the breaker, as you do. However, he said this could weaken the breaker over time and it may start to trip on its own, unecessariily. I just thought I would share that.

Also be careful that something else is not wired into the same breaker. On my Surveyor, the water heater and the fridge use the same breaker.

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