Normal hot water heater operation

[Johnjschaeferjr]

The gas-only water heater on my 2015 Coachman Freelander does not seem to be operating normally. Water heating is initiated using a switch on the in-cabin control panel. I hear a typical gas ignition sound and the heater will run for approximately 14 minutes then stop and a Gas-DSI fault light illuminates on the control panel. We do have enough hot water for shower, dishes, etc. but the heater never self starts to produce continuous hot water. After an hour or more I can reset the switch and it will repeat the process described above.

Question:

Shouldn't the RV's water heater work automatically to keep a tank of hot water available like a household hot water heater does?

TIA

Jack Schaefer
2015 Coachman Freelander 28QBE

[msubryan]

Following

[TURBS]

Yes it should, what are you resetting?
Just turning switch off and back on?

Would be helpful to know make and model of wh.


2015 Columbus 320RS
2008 2500HD Duramax
2015 nights camped "34"
2016 nights camped "32"

[wmtire]

Yes, your thermostat should turn the heater on/off as needed to maintain the preset temp in the water heater....as long as you leave the inside switch turned on.

I think you have the propane only Atwood water heater according to the specs on the FR site for a 2016 model, but this youtube video may give you some ideas on what to check, to see if your connections are tight, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYzqP2BFrMk

[Johnjschaeferjr]

I don't have docs with me but it is a Dometic 6 gallon gas-only heater.

You got it in that I'm cycling the on/off switch on the interior monitor panel.

The WH will hat heat one tank and then illuminate a DSI fault on same panel.

The heater will not reignite until water is cooled off (about an hour after a successful cycle) and I set on/off switch to on position.

[wmtire]

Dometic is the parent company of Atwood.

The Direct Spark Ignitor (DSI) fault is what you get get when the propane fails to ignite for whatever reason. After so many failed attempts (the clicking sound you hear), it's probably going into lockout mode (and then you have to turn off the switch and back on to reset the lockout.

The problem most likely lies in whatever is causing the propane failing to deliver/ignite.

[Johnjschaeferjr]

Good video. I bought the thermostat replacement kit but the terminal connectors on red/brown wires are too small to fit onto new thermostat lugs. Went to local CW to make sure I had the correct kit and they compared a new kit to the one I purchased and they are identical. They are as perplexed by this size difference as I am as the kit is the correct part number for the WH.

Next step is to locate some female terminal ends that fit the lugs and snip/replace the original ones.