Community Forums

cheekster96 · 06-12-2015, 03:55 PM

Howdy all...couple of questions for you experts.
We have a new 2016 Vision 19RB.
We are at a rv campground with city water hooked up.
I know the hot water heater has water in it..I opened the pressure relief valve and water came out (cold). I had the electric switch on for about 3 hours, turned the water on hot and the water came out cold.
I turned the switch off and propane switch on and it heats the water that way.
This is the first time we have used the system.
Any thoughts or ideas?
Lee

Gordon Dewald · 06-12-2015, 04:07 PM

Is the water heater plugged in and is the breaker on?

rideandslide · 06-12-2015, 05:48 PM

As said, check breaker in fuse/ breaker panel.

hayward3411 · 06-12-2015, 05:49 PM

Bypass valve

andy29847 · 06-12-2015, 06:04 PM

My Daughter's travel trailer has a switch in the outside access to the hot water heater. It's behind some of the other parts in there so we had to look around somethings to find it.

jesilvas · 06-12-2015, 07:26 PM

First, you're going to need to lower the water level below or even with the pop off valve, but that's no big deal.

Next, what model is this? They are set up different ways. If it is a Suburban unit, you may or may not have a switch for the 120V element in the trailer, on the wall. It will look like most any 120V wall/light switch. If it is on, then you need to check the 120V breaker for it to be on. Then, you need to make sure the on/off switch on the outside bottom right of the WH is "on." If there is no switch like that, then you have an Atwood, or a NON electric Suburban WH.

If it's an Atwood, it will have a switch for 120V inside, maybe with a lightning bolt next to it. Again, make sure the 120V breaker is on. There is no on/off switch on the WH itself for an Atwood.

As for the bypass valves, not all RVs have them, but since there is water in the WH, we can mostly assume they are not bypassed. If you run the WH on LP and get hot water out of your faucet, then the valves or correctly set.

Most WHs don't need to be plugged in. Some older Atwood units did, and a few do now, but most are hard wired in.

Next time, just feel the pop off valve, don't let out water. There is supposed to be an air pocket at the top of the tank, and hopefully it's still there. Also, if that water WAS scalding hot, you'd be scalded right now.

cheekster96 · 06-13-2015, 05:52 AM

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.
The heater is a DSI Suburban type.
Their is a switch on the wall to choose between gas or electric to heat the water. The switches light up and work. There are no switches under the sink where it is hardwired in and no switch in the vent area on the outside.
I switched to gas and it heated the water. Was very hot.
I switched to electric and left it on all night. Tried the water and it was cold.
Also..as the tank was heating up with gas...the relief valve plug was dripping/leaking some.
I ll call the rv dealer later. Just dont want to use up all the propane to heat water. Im plugged into a 30 amp service here at the campsite..
Lee

rideandslide · 06-13-2015, 06:03 AM

You have a little off/on switch on the heater from the outside access panel, it's hard to see, it on the left, behind the start of the burner tube. You should also have a breaker in your fuse/breaker box !

cheekster96 · 06-13-2015, 06:13 AM

Ok thanks...I ll look again for the switch. All the breakers are on.
Lee

peterson · 06-13-2015, 06:15 AM

I'll probably get flamed for this, but...

It's not a hot water heater. If the water was hot it wouldn't need heating. It's a "water heater".

padre44 · 06-13-2015, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rideandslide

You have a little off/on switch on the heater from the outside access panel, it's hard to see, it on the left, behind the start of the burner tube. You should also have a breaker in your fuse/breaker box !

He's right. That switch has to be on also.

cheekster96 · 06-13-2015, 06:22 AM

I found the switch!!
It was over on the left in the rear with a reflective piece of tape covering it...it blended into the background...sure enough it was off. It is on now and I ll wait for a bit to see if it works.
Thanks again everyone.
Lee

jesilvas · 06-13-2015, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheekster96

Thanks for all the ideas everyone.
The heater is a DSI Suburban type.
Their is a switch on the wall to choose between gas or electric to heat the water. I'm gonna have to say no. There is not one swith that flips between gas and LP. There will be TWO individual switches. One to turn LP on and off. One to turn 120V on and off. Both can be on at the same time. Because it's a Suburban, you may only have the outside switch and the 120V breaker.

Also..as the tank was heating up with gas...the relief valve plug was dripping/leaking some.

It's dripping because you opened the pop off valve.