Hi guys! First post. I recently purchased a TT for quick weekend getaways with the family. We took our first trip this past weekend and all went well. We did have one issue, and that issue was lack of hot water. I hooked up to my water supply and turned the hot water on inside to work the air out. Once the air was out, I flipped the water heater switch inside and waited an hour. I never had hot water. During our set up I noticed that the plugs weren't working so I reset the GFI in the RR and all was good. As I was packing up the next day I realized there are (2) resets for the water heater on the outside of the trailer. I had already unhooked from power and water so I didn't hit the reset to see if that would make a difference. Your thoughts? Also I never turned my propane on, but it is my understanding the water heater can run off of shore power without the need of propane, is that correct? Again, sorry for the rookie questions, just thought you may be able to shed some light based on past experience etc.Thanks in advance!!!

Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.Jerry

MFL wrote:Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.JerrySorry, it is a 2019 Forest River FSX 179. I do have a rocker switch for the water heater, but it is located in the trailer with the rest of the switches. Yes, I made sure I had water in the lines prior to turning it on. Thanks for the reply.

modrodr wrote:MFL wrote:Welcome to the forum! While you did not give make/model of your water heater, it sounds like a suburban, with two resets. If you look under the outside cover of heater, in lower left corner, there should be an on/off rocker switch to turn on the electric part of your heater. If you do indeed have this switch, be sure it is off, before draining the heater, or next time plugged into shore power, will burn out element.JerrySorry, it is a 2019 Forest River FSX 179. I do have a rocker switch for the water heater, but it is located in the trailer with the rest of the switches. Yes, I made sure I had water in the lines prior to turning it on. Thanks for the reply.Like MFL said, open your water heater outside cover and on the lower left hand side will be a rocker switch. If you have the two "Reset buttons" it will also have a small switch in the location I mentioned. Mine is partially covered by a piece of tape. It is behind some of the gas stuff, but it is there. I bet it is off.Edited to add: It will be in the location WE mentioned. ;)He also gave good advice about shutting it off when draining the heater. I do that as well, to prevent it from being accidentally turned on when empty.

In some cases there is a switch inside, and out, and the outside one still needs to be switched on to work, for electric, but not propane.Jerry

Great info guys! I will check when I get home from work. Thanks to all who posted!

Water Heater | Good Sam Community

DerekandSarah
Explorer
Apr 20, 2019
At least you didn't try and "figure it out" for 4 trips, to only realize that you simply hadn't turned the quarter turn valves back inline after de-winterizing it................
allen8106
Explorer
Apr 18, 2019
Not all water heaters can run off of shore power. My daughter and son-in-law have a travel trailer with a water heater that only runs on propane.
modrodr
Explorer
Apr 14, 2019
Bobbo wrote:
modrodr wrote:
I flipped the water heater switch inside and waited an hour. I never had hot water.

So, what was the switch you flipped if not the water heater? Or, was it the water heater propane burner, but the propane was turned off at the tanks?

Correct. I flipped the switch thinking it was for the electric operation, not realizing it was propane only. Propane was not on. Rookie mistake. Only issue the first time out. Wife loved the cold shower. Haha.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Apr 14, 2019
modrodr wrote:
I flipped the water heater switch inside and waited an hour. I never had hot water.

So, what was the switch you flipped if not the water heater? Or, was it the water heater propane burner, but the propane was turned off at the tanks?
enblethen
Nomad
Apr 13, 2019
Thanks for the update!
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2019
modrodr wrote:
Guys, thanks to your help you led me down the road of checking the model number. I was able to find it under the cover. Based on that my heater is a DSI propane only. I figured it out and all is good! Thanks again for the help! Like I said earlier this is my first TT and all is new to me. Thanks again!

Thanks for letting us know that you figured it out.
modrodr
Explorer
Apr 12, 2019
Guys, thanks to your help you led me down the road of checking the model number. I was able to find it under the cover. Based on that my heater is a DSI propane only. I figured it out and all is good! Thanks again for the help! Like I said earlier this is my first TT and all is new to me. Thanks again!
dieseltruckdriv
Explorer II
Apr 11, 2019
MFL wrote:
enblethen wrote:
I have not seen from the OP model number!
Looking at Forest River indicates that the standard water heater is DSI only!

Yes, the actual model number, and brand of heater should have been posted, in the OP. However, just going from statement of two resets on outside gives a clue.

Jerry

+1
MFL
Nomad II
Apr 11, 2019
enblethen wrote:
I have not seen from the OP model number!
Looking at Forest River indicates that the standard water heater is DSI only!

Yes, the actual model number, and brand of heater should have been posted, in the OP. However, just going from statement of two resets on outside gives a clue.

Jerry
enblethen
Nomad
Apr 10, 2019
I have not seen from the OP model number!
Looking at Forest River indicates that the standard water heater is DSI only!

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