Water heater - start up

[Jodilynne516]

This is our first time taking out our 2020 Outback 240urs. I am unsure about how to start up the water heater.

Some info about our site-
Full hook up and using city water hook up. When we turn the hot faucets on water comes out. Does that mean the tank is full and it is safe to turn on the heater? Is it better to go with electric or propane? And do we have to light anything manually?
Thank you for your help!

[chuckster57]

Open the access panel outside and make sure the plug or anode rod is installed.

You need to make sure the water heater bypass is set to normal. If you look at the back of the tank there is probably one or two valves. Water will flow in the direction of the handles, so make sure they are pointed towards the tank. Meaning across not in line with the water line.

Then run the hot faucet until there is no air and then you can turn on the heat. You can run both for a faster recovery, it will get hot faster on propane.

[Jodilynne516]

Thank you! This might be a dumb question, but is the anode rod something that comes with the rv or is it something you purchase separately? We purchased the unit new in November and it was winterized by the dealer.

[chuckster57]

It should have came with either an anode rod or a drain plug. If you look at the plug on the outside, if it’s plastic it’s just a plug, if it’s metal then it’s an anode rod. Make sure one or the other is in and tight. Plug is 15/16” socket, anode rod is 1 1/16” socket.

If your unit was winterized then I bet the valves in the back of the tank are not set to normal. Do Not turn any heat on until you are sure water is in the tank and all the air is purged. Best way to purge is to do as I posted before, make sure the valves are set to normal and run a hot faucet tap until all the air is gone.

[wiredgeorge]

First, welcome to the site! The way your water heater system works is that water is heated in a small tank. Water gets into this tank while you are connected to city water by tubing. Behind the water heater is a small valve which allows the water to bypass the water heater for winterization. This valve (as has been already mentioned) must be set so water is actually going in the tank and not bypassing it. I don't know what type water heater you have but in general, you can open the relief valve on the outside that is on all water heaters (I know of) to see if you have water in the tank as you don't want to start heating till you do. The relief valve has a little arm that you can pivot down and water will come out. If you have water in the tank, then go inside and on your control panel turn the water heater switch on. When you do, a red light will come on and when you hear the propane light, the red light goes off and it will take awhile for hot water as the 6 gallons need to heat. You may also have electric and there may be a switch inside but on my hot water heater, there is a small switch on the outside bottom left (a rocker switch) where you turn the electric heating element on to augment the propane; you will get faster hot water if not a little more. Make sure this switch is OFF when there is no hot water in the tank else it will burn up the electric heating element.

[Jodilynne516]

Thank you both!!