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09-08-2016, 06:44 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 80
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Problem running hot water heater off propane
Anyone experience problems with running the hot water heater off of propane? When my DH turned the hot water heater on with propane, the flame was bright yellow and it blew black soot onto the side of our motorhome. It almost seems that it burned it into the siding. I can't get the soot off. Any suggestions? The dealer told us to look to see if there were any cobwebs and also to try to adjust the slide to get a blue flame. No luck...
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13STL
2017 Forester 3051S
Jill, Mark (and dogs Paco & Isabel)
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09-08-2016, 07:09 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,053
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It sounds like the exhaust may be obstructed. Is the soot coming from the exhaust or from inside of the water heater cover?
Bruce
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2016 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W Diamond Edition
2015 Chevy 3500HD LTZ 6.0 Crew Cab 4x4 Long Bed 4.10:1 SRW
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09-08-2016, 07:18 AM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 80
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It is coming from the exhaust. He checked for any obstructions, but could not find anything.
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13STL
2017 Forester 3051S
Jill, Mark (and dogs Paco & Isabel)
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09-08-2016, 07:39 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,053
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 13STL
It is coming from the exhaust. He checked for any obstructions, but could not find anything.
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Then you probably have something obstructing the amount of oxygen feeding your burner.
Bruce
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2016 Rockwood Windjammer 3029W Diamond Edition
2015 Chevy 3500HD LTZ 6.0 Crew Cab 4x4 Long Bed 4.10:1 SRW
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09-08-2016, 07:46 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,266
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Maybe a silly question, but did he light the correct place. It is possible to light the flame directly after the jet, ( the air mixture control ) before the air is mixed in on some models.
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2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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09-08-2016, 07:59 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 80
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This unit has an electronic ignition.
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13STL
2017 Forester 3051S
Jill, Mark (and dogs Paco & Isabel)
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09-08-2016, 08:04 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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Can you post a picture of the unit and a close-up of the burner assembly?
What all have you tried to get the soot off the siding?
You can try some Clorox Cleanup or Tilex on a rag to see if that'll get it off.
Also, Magic Erasers work well, but be careful with them as they're micro abrasive, so don't over do it.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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09-08-2016, 08:16 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Awesome cleaner! Removes soot! Fuel/Air ratio is off or spider web causing soot! Youroo!!
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09-08-2016, 09:59 AM
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#9
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Western PA
Posts: 80
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Here is the photo...
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13STL
2017 Forester 3051S
Jill, Mark (and dogs Paco & Isabel)
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09-08-2016, 10:50 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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Good photo. I think you need to pull the burner tube and clean it out. A spider web or mud dauber nest in the burner tube will cause exactly the problem you saw.
You may want to remove the orifice and clean it as well while you're there.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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09-08-2016, 10:57 AM
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#11
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Northeast Louisiana
Posts: 33,738
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You have an Atwood water heater. There are several good youtube videos on how to clean the burner tubes on these.
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2011 Flagstaff 831 RLBSS
A 72 hour hold in a psych unit is beginning to intrigue me as a potential vacation opportunity.
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09-08-2016, 11:03 AM
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#12
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Senior Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 288
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Well, if I had dropped around 100K on a nice unit like yours, I would probably head back to the dealer... you should not have to take stuff apart and clean it already. Yours is not that common a problem and it could be something you can not repair yourself.
BTW.... Sometimes DIY attempts at repairs can muck up warranties.
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2015 Flagstaff Super V 26VFKSS Emerald... SOLD
Now camping with a new SOB Winnebago pulled by a 2021 Ford Ranger.
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09-08-2016, 11:07 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: SUNSHINE STATE
Posts: 1,769
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Bug or spider
There may be a bug or spider in the curved tube where the propane and air are mixed for proper combustion. It only takes a small bug or spider to screw up the oxygen (air) mixture in the mixture tube to cause the bright yellow flame.
I would recheck the mixture tube again for a obstruction.
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Sid & HRH MISSY, SHIH TZU
2019 WILDCAT 28 SGX
2014 F-250 KING RANCH PS 6.7L/SWD/6R140/BFT
TST Truck System Technologies TM-507SE
DAYS CAMPED 2023 69 DAYS
[SIGPIC][/SI[SIGPIC]
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09-08-2016, 11:19 AM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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Quote:
Originally Posted by raytwntrvlr
Well, if I had dropped around 100K on a nice unit like yours, I would probably head back to the dealer... you should not have to take stuff apart and clean it already. Yours is not that common a problem and it could be something you can not repair yourself.
BTW.... Sometimes DIY attempts at repairs can muck up warranties.
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One problem is that if it is a bug or dirt, that's not covered under warranty, no matter how new it is. The dealer may well fix it for free, but if they're at a campground/resort it would require them to break camp and drive to the dealer. Removing and cleaning the burner tube is a few minute job. And it's more common than you think for bugs to invade propane appliances. For some reason they love the stuff.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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09-08-2016, 05:01 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama Rambler
Good photo. I think you need to pull the burner tube and clean it out. A spider web or mud dauber nest in the burner tube will cause exactly the problem you saw.
You may want to remove the orifice and clean it as well while you're there.
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X2, you have an obstruction somewhere, beginning at the burner orifice and ending at the exhaust. Find it, clear it, and your problem will be solved.
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2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
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09-10-2016, 09:59 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Ontario, California
Posts: 2,146
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 13STL
Here is the photo...
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Nice picture. Just a thought, but was wondering if this heater has ever worked?
All the cleaning advice is likely appropriate ASSUMING THE UNIT WAS FUNCTIONING ORIGUNAKLY. IF THIS UNIT IS BRAND NEW and has never been run on gas, the problem might involve other defects or installation caused defects. If it has never worked may truly be a dealer or factory issue.
Please post your eventual out come.
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09-10-2016, 10:20 AM
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#17
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Senior Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 288
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom48
Nice picture. Just a thought, but was wondering if this heater has ever worked?
All the cleaning advice is likely appropriate ASSUMING THE UNIT WAS FUNCTIONING ORIGUNAKLY. IF THIS UNIT IS BRAND NEW and has never been run on gas, the problem might involve other defects or installation caused defects. If it has never worked may truly be a dealer or factory issue.
Please post your eventual out come.
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X2
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2015 Flagstaff Super V 26VFKSS Emerald... SOLD
Now camping with a new SOB Winnebago pulled by a 2021 Ford Ranger.
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09-13-2016, 12:51 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
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Side question. Is there way to regulate the temperature on the Atwood hot water heaters? Ours is a little hotter than we like it.
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1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
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09-13-2016, 12:47 PM
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#19
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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Turn on more cold water!
Seriously, It doesn't appear to have an adjustable thermostat. However, you can buy thermostats with different temp settings and also adjustable units.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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09-14-2016, 12:32 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Utah
Posts: 642
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama Rambler
Turn on more cold water!
Seriously, It doesn't appear to have an adjustable thermostat. However, you can buy thermostats with different temp settings and also adjustable units.
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Just thought I would check with the forum before looking for an adjustment. Thx for the reply.
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1968 tent trailer
1985 Jamboree 23 ft
1997 Minnie Winnie 25 Ft
2016 Forester 3171DS (ordered March & arrived June 2015)
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