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Old 05-19-2011, 08:28 AM   #1
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Water heater & fridge

I can't figure out how to get the water heater and fridge to work. We never got the dealer walk through demonstration since it was delivered from RVW. The driver just wanted to get back home so he basically dropped and ran.

Can someone explain to me how to get these to work? My 233S is sitting in my driveway. I have filled the propane and lit the stove to purge air out of the lines. Connected the water and made certain that water squirted out of the water heater purge valve. Electric is connected and all lights and fans work.

The fridge will not get cold and the interior (fridge) light won't turn on (the bulb looks to be good). Not sure if I am setting the buttons above the fridge correctly but I think I did. Do I need to remove the vent panel on the outside of the camper behind the fridge and do something there?

As for the water heater…I have no idea what to do or even where to start. Is the water heater an on demand system? Does it only work if the hot water is turned on at the sink or shower?

HELP...what am I doing wrong?

Dave
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Old 05-19-2011, 08:46 AM   #2
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The frig should come on by simply pushing the ON button. If you are hooked up to shore power it will run on electric unless you manually select the gas button (gas is selected when the gas button is in the out position). The inside light should come on at this point.



As far as your water heater, inside your tt you should have a wall switch with a red light beside it. This is the switch to operate you water heater by propane. When you first turn it on the red light will light up. As soon as the water heater fires up, the red light will go off. It will cycle through 3 times then shut down if the heater doesn't lite.

On the outside of yor tt is an access panel to you hot water tank. Look for a black on/off rocker switch. Turn this on to use the electric side of your water heater.
You may use the gas and electric together or just either one by themselves.

Otherwise it looks like your doing everything correctly. If neither the frig or water heater work after trying this, you probably need to take it to a repair shop and have them look at it.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Just thought I would add. If you go out to a campground, don't be shy about asking someone for help. Most campers will be more than happy to help you with anything you need help with. They probably will even give you a quick PDI since you never received one.
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Old 05-19-2011, 09:00 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by grhodes50 View Post
As far as your water heater, inside your tt you should have a wall switch with a red light beside it. This is the switch to operate you water heater by propane. When you first turn it on the red light will light up. As soon as the water heater fires up, the red light will go off. It will cycle through 3 times then shut down if the heater doesn't lite.
WARNING there are 2 wall switchs with a red light beside it, 1 is the Hot water heater the other is the Water Pump...don't flip the wrong one.
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Old 05-19-2011, 09:44 AM   #4
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grhodes50 & jaxfl,

Thanks you so much for the replies. I think I was doing everything correctly but will check again tonight when I get home. I think the fridge might be broken, hopefully not but will see in the morning if it's cold.

Dave
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Old 05-19-2011, 09:47 AM   #5
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are there any lights on the fridge- check the fuses in the panel.
do you hear the water heater trying to light?
make sure the battery is charged.
if still problems I would contact Forest River
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Old 05-19-2011, 09:48 AM   #6
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WARNING there are 2 wall switchs with a red light beside it, 1 is the Hot water heater the other is the Water Pump...don't flip the wrong one.
Thanks for clearing that up. I didn't think about the water pump.
If his tt has tank heaters there could be a switch with a red light for that as well.

drs244, have we got you totally confussed yet? If so let us know and we'll try to clear it up for you. If you can post pics of your switches, that would help us help you.

One more thing about the frig. It can take a good 24 hours for it to cool properly. I always turn mine on the day before I'm going to load up. That way it's good to go when I'm ready.

Let us know if you get things working.
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Old 05-19-2011, 10:22 AM   #7
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I can't figure out how to get the water heater and fridge to work. We never got the dealer walk through demonstration since it was delivered from RVW. The driver just wanted to get back home so he basically dropped and ran.

Can someone explain to me how to get these to work? My 233S is sitting in my driveway. I have filled the propane and lit the stove to purge air out of the lines. Connected the water and made certain that water squirted out of the water heater purge valve. Electric is connected and all lights and fans work.

The fridge will not get cold and the interior (fridge) light won't turn on (the bulb looks to be good). Not sure if I am setting the buttons above the fridge correctly but I think I did. Do I need to remove the vent panel on the outside of the camper behind the fridge and do something there?

As for the water heater…I have no idea what to do or even where to start. Is the water heater an on demand system? Does it only work if the hot water is turned on at the sink or shower?

HELP...what am I doing wrong?

Dave
Since your Roo is a 2011 model I am assuming that it is brand new. You should have received a pouch containing, among other things, a generic Forest River Owners Manual, and manufacturers manuals and pamphlets for ALL of the major sub-components of the trailer, along with warranty registration cards (some are mail-in and some can be done on-line, but all should be submitted) While the FR manual is generic, the manufacturers manuals will contain detailed info on how to operate these systems. If you did not get the information pouch, you should get back to RVW and make sure that you do. If things are still a mystery after perusing the manuals, you have come to the right place for help

...VTX-AL
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Old 05-19-2011, 12:05 PM   #8
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Dave, you've gotten good advice here.

remember to open the hot water faucets and run it, to make sure water gets into the WH, before you light it.
when you turn on the DSI switch, you should here it light and fire up. when the water is hot, you'll hear it shut off.
of course, this is running the WH on propane.

as was said, when on Auto, the fridge will choose electric, if the AC and the propane is on. but electric takes longer to cool than using propane does.

and yes, the Dometic and Suburban manuals are very helpful, as opposed to the generic FR manual.
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Old 05-19-2011, 01:39 PM   #9
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tentcamper1/grhodes50/VTX Al/bikendan,

All great advise. I need to look at it real close tonight and will report back the findings.

Dave
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Old 05-19-2011, 07:51 PM   #10
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If you haven't watched the RVW walkthrough video on Youtube you ought to check it out. It is for the 23SS, but they cover fridge & water heater issues in it. I found it to be helpful.
We have the 233S. The switches for the water pump & water heater are in the panel above the fridge. As the above picture shows there are 2 buttons on the fridge. One is the on/off button. When the button is pushed the auto light should be lit, unless you have selected the gas setting, which is the second button. In the auto setting the fridge will run on electric if plugged into shore power. When you unplug the fridge will automatically switch to running on propane. If things aren't working right the check light should come on.
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Old 05-20-2011, 08:48 AM   #11
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rbq,

Thanks for the details, I think there is a problem. I have never had the light turn (on/off light) on when connected to shore power or propane. Will check this tonight.

V/r,

Dave
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Old 05-24-2011, 09:22 AM   #12
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Update...


All fuses are good, propane is good but power is bad. It turned out to be the electrical outlet that the fridge plugs into that had no power. I am in the process of getting that repaired so hopefully we will have an actual refrigerator this weekend and not just an expensive icebox.

As for the water heater...I forgot to turn on the switch on the water heater. It works pretty well when you follow the directions.

Thanks to all for your help in resolving this issue. Have a great Memorial Day weekend and remember to honor our fallen heroes.

Dave
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Old 05-24-2011, 12:57 PM   #13
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I'm glad everything is being taken care of! LOL at the hot water heater...it's tricky remembering all the steps the first time.
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Old 05-24-2011, 01:59 PM   #14
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No kidding and I just discovered about low point drains and WH bypass things and, and, and, and...
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Old 05-24-2011, 02:16 PM   #15
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Usually by the time we figure everything out we're ready for the next camper.
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Old 05-24-2011, 08:15 PM   #16
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Low point drains??
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Old 05-24-2011, 08:20 PM   #17
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just remember to turn the switch for the hot water heater off before you un-plug the camper so the next time you plug it into power it will not be on especially if you do not have water in the heater it will kill the element
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Old 05-24-2011, 08:21 PM   #18
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Low point drains??
only important when winterizing and un-winterizing.

since i've never had to do this, i can't advise anyone on bypass valves, antifreeze, blowing out water lines and so on.
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Old 05-24-2011, 08:27 PM   #19
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I think I saw that while installing the Tornado. Thanks.
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Old 05-25-2011, 01:11 PM   #20
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I think I apply to grad school so I can figure out how to work these things
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