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Diagrams - photos

Diagrams and Photos

As a new “podder” am still figuring things out. Have searched but haven’t seen any photos or diagrams of a 177 (have a 2018). Not talking schematics or floor plans but photos or drawings, particularly of the hot water valve system (for getting them right during winterization etc) and for the outside panel where the hot water switch, pressure valve etc live. I’m a visual learner so a picture is worth more than all the sometimes confusing manual explanations.

Anode Rod, Electric Switch, Reset Buttons, Pressure Relief Valve

If you want something done right, do it yourself.

Water Heater Switch

Read that the hot water switch you point to has to be on as well as the one inside on the control panel (assuming you’re plugged in) - right? Can you leave that switch you point to on all the time and control with the inside switch? Two switches are confusing.

Shore Power and Propane

The switch in the picture is when you want to use the electric element to heat water with shore power hooked up. The switch on the inside is for using the propane to heat the water if you are boondocking with no power available. Always make sure there is water in the heater before using either method. Leave the inside switch off when using shore power and turning on the switch in the photo.

Water Heater Operation

That pesky water heater switch has been discussed several times on this board. Harrypodder is right in cautioning that you should make sure there is water in the tank if you turn on the electric heat element. If the tank is empty and the element is turned on, it'll burn up in less than a minute and it's a hassle to replace. The switch on your galley panel only controls the operation of the gas option for your water heater. Turn it on and you're running on gas. It is not connected to the electric heating element. It is your choice whether to use gas or electricity to heat your water when you are plugged into 30A plug at an RV park or where ever. Personally, I think it makes more sense to heat with the electric element when you are at an RV park because you already paid for the electricity in your park fee. There are two switches that control electricity to the electric function of the water heater. One switch is elegantly demonstrated in Marwayne's foto. There is a second switch that is not obvious to the new user. In your circuit breaker panel one 15 A breaker controls electricity to the water heater. That is your inside "switch." Some people are not comfortable using a circuit breaker as a switch, but that breaker is rated to work as a switch. The outside water heater switch, as depicted in Marwayne's foto, is a pain in the pelvis to use and is easy to forget to turn off. It's a little hard to reach and opening and closing the water heater door is a hassle, especially if you have a little arthritis in your fingers. Leaving it on and using the breaker/switch to control the water heater is another option, but it has its drawbacks as well. If someone else uses your Pod and is not familiar with the "correct" off position for the breaker, s/he could turn it on without realizing s/he's energizing the heating element. It's easily overlooked when all the breakers are in the on position. So, you need to be very careful that no one inadvertently flips the water heater breaker to the on position. There is a third option available. You can add a switch by your water heater to control current to the unit. This can be done in the romex cable that supplies power from the WFCO circuit panel to the water heater or it can be wired separately from the water heater switch on the outside. Personally, I think adding the switch in the romex line is easier and it's what I did. It took about 15 minutes to install a third water heater switch that is easily accessible and eliminates the confusion problems. I added a little cover over the switch lever with a piece of plumbers tape [that metal tape with holes in it]] so the switch wouldn't get accidentally tripped. None of this is adequately explained in the user's manual.

Switch Location

Most people will use, as you say, shore power for their water heater. So why not have that be the obvious switch on the inside panel, not buried outside? Confusing and illogical. Not a electrician, but be nice to just swap the two so the panel switch turns on the shore power and the outside, “hidden” switch works the gas. Will discuss with my dealer. Like your workarounds. This forum has really been helpful.

Adding a Switch

This was discussed in another topic, but adding a switch inline with the breaker to the water heater and mounting that switch in a convenient location is one option. Just make sure the switch is rated for sufficient voltage and current.

Water Heater Access

Here's the switch I put in. The 172 has the water heater on the port side aft of the refrigerator and heater under the dinette so it's easy access.

Original Design

Stoopid to have to do this. Did govt design the original?