Newbie: Is it heater or refrigerator generating heat?

[Popdawgie]

I'm an old tent guy who just aquired our first pupup. It came with a manual of sorts, but nothing like a schematic or anything, showing where components are.. I narrowed-down where the water on-demand pump was by the sound it made, but I digress.....
The pup is a 2004 Flagstaff/Forest River 625D. I've noticed a fair amount of heat coming from an outside plastic grill on the side where the refrigerator is (a Dometic model#4223).
Is this normal? Is it indeed, the fridge, or could it possibly be a water heater?

[wavery]

I'm an old tent guy who just aquired our first pupup. It came with a manual of sorts, but nothing like a schematic or anything, showing where components are.. I narrowed-down where the water on-demand pump was by the sound it made, but I digress.....
The pup is a 2004 Flagstaff/Forest River 625D. I've noticed a fair amount of heat coming from an outside plastic grill on the side where the refrigerator is (a Dometic model#4223).
Is this normal? Is it indeed, the fridge, or could it possibly be a water heater?

That is normal.

The fridge works off of propane or electric. It has a furnace (of sorts) in it.

------------------------------
If you're interested, here is how your fridge works off of heat:
http://www.nh3tech.org/absorption.html

---------how rude of me :yikes: --------

WELCOME TO PUT!!!!

[LimeJeeeep]

the fridge...plastic cover ...h2o heater metal cover

[wavery]

That is normal.

The fridge works off of propane. It has a furnace (of sorts) in it.

If you're interested, here is how your fridge works off of heat:
http://www.nh3tech.org/absorption.html

[Popdawgie]

WoW! Thanks for the quick response, the link, and the warm welcome. This site and it's membership rocks!
The link to the ammonia-refrigerant theory has answered a related, long-pondered question in itself.
I notiiced the metal grill you related to, that is apparently where the water heater vents. The shakedown we took last weekend revealed no hot water, but maybe there is a switch as yet undiscovered to turn it on... At least now, I know where to look.
Thanks again.

[JimQPublic]

It's a 99% probability that your water heater is a manual-light gas pilot type.  It works just like most home gas water heaters.  

You must first ensure that it's full of water or it will be damaged and possibly be a fire hazard-
-Connect to city water or fill the tank and turn on the pump.
-Open the outside access cover.
-Pull up the lever on the pressure relief valve and hold open till water flows out.  If you get air blowing out then it's the tank filling; just let it fill until water appears.  If neither water nor air come out then a water heater bypass (for winterizing in freezing climates) may be installed- someone else can advise in that case.

-Once you're sure the tank is full, make sure you have propane.  Turn on the propane tank (open valve very slowly at first).  Now go inside and light a stove burner to be sure gas is flowing in the lines.  Shut off the stove burner.
-Go outside again, turn the water heater control to "pilot".
-Press and hold the red button.
-Use a long butane BBQ lighter with the flame turned up all the way.  Figure out where the pilot orifice is and light it.
-If there was air in the propane lines it may take a while before the pilot lights.  
-Let it burn about 30 seconds before releasing the red button.  Check to be sure the pilot stays lit.
-Turn the water heater control to "On" or whatever is appropriate in your case.  It will make a big scary whoosh as the burner ignites.

-For the first time it's easiest to do all this at dusk where you can see the controls and the blue pilot flame.

This is all from memory of my last RV.  I had an electronic ignition water heater put in the Chalet.  I just flip a switch by the sink- or simply plug in and use electric!

[harleywolf]

On most PUPs you have to light the pilot light for the hot water heater which should be located behind the metal door. Some of the newer PUPs have an auto light system, I believe, and I don't know what yours has. The manually lit ones have a thermocouple where you light it. Move the knob to Pilot and press it down. Light the pilot light and hold the knob down until the pilot stays lit, then move the knob to On.

If you can't get it lit then there could be air in the line. I open a burner or two on my stove until I get one lit, let it burn for a few seconds, then go back to the hot water pilot and light it.

And yes! Welcome to the boards, you

[AustinBoston]

-Pull up the lever on the pressure relief valve and hold open till water flows out.

I don't advise doing anything with the pressure release valve.  Every one I've ever touched, along with a number of other people I have talked to, has immediately started leaking.  It WILL open on it's own if it needs to.  Besides, my HW heater has the valve near the bottom of the tank.  Using it to fill the tank will get 1 or 2 gallons in a 6-gallon tank.

A better way to fill the tank is to turn on the hot water faucet until water comes out.  This won't check if there's a bypass in place, but will completely fill the tank otherwise.

Austin