Gas Water Heater Ques

[Edmo]

Went out this past weekend and I used the propane water heater while I had my shoreline plugged in. The water came out hot for a while then when we tried to use it hours later the water came out cold even after running it for a while.

I switched to electric and no issues. The stove worked perfectly and I have a full tank of propane.

Anyone have this issue or may know if I’m doing something wrong.


Thanks

[SeaDog]

did you actually check and see if the propane side of your water heater was starting? there may be something blocking the burner tube like a spider web. check the fuse for the water heater and ensure your batteries are at full charge.

[jeff64]

My 1st question would be... once you turn it on do you hear or see it sparking? if newer Suburban did the DSI light come on when you flip the switch on gas?

[Edmo]

I have the light on the panel that lets me know it’s activated

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by Edmo

I have the light on the panel that lets me know it’s activated

Need to take a close look at the panel to see what that light actually is. I've seen some that indicate it's on, I've seen a lot more that have a 'fault' indicator, that only lights if the WH fails.

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Need to take a close look at the panel to see what that light actually is. I've seen some that indicate it's on, I've seen a lot more that have a 'fault' indicator, that only lights if the WH fails.

agree, on mine the light only comes on if it FAILS to LIGHT!

[RudysWorld]

I would check if a mud dauber had a nest in the chamber, they seem to love gas.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by Edmo

Went out this past weekend and I used the propane water heater while I had my shoreline plugged in. The water came out hot for a while then when we tried to use it hours later the water came out cold even after running it for a while.

I switched to electric and no issues. The stove worked perfectly and I have a full tank of propane.

Anyone have this issue or may know if I’m doing something wrong.


Thanks

Go outside and listen while someone else turns the WH propane switch on.
--There should be a pause
--Then gas flows--you should hear the valve open
--Then the igniter sparks (click, click...click)--then either the gas lights (you hear a "whump" sound), or it times out (maybe 7-10 seconds)

If you don't hear the gas flow or valve open, check 12 volt fuses. The WH needs 12 volts for control circuitry.

If you don't hear the igniter clicks, check 12 volt fuses or you may need to reset the propane side overtemp sensor. For a Suburban it's under one of the rubber bubbles on the end of the tank. Try this first. See instructions at https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/f...print/true.cfm . Or you may have a control board failure or a failed thermostat for the gas side (different than the thermostat for the electric side)

If you hear the clicks but not the "whump" the gas is not igniting, so the system shuts down. It won't try again until you turn it off and on again. Possible causes for this are:
--Air in the gas line (you said the range works, so that's not it)
--Spider webs or other junk in the air passage. You can remove the air duct by loosening two bolts using a 7/16" wrench.
--Gas valve not opening--could be valve or control board.

Larry

[SailorSam20500]

If it ends up being the infamous mud daubers, you may be tempted to put the commonly available mud dauber screens on the air intake. FWIW, doing so will technically void your warranty. (Learned this at a seminar given by FR's Brian.)
The issue is a safety concern. Spider webs, cotton wood tree seeds, and other stuff can build up on the screens restricting air flow. That may lead to CO issues or other problems.
So - if you use them, keep them clean. If you have a warranty issue, take them off BEFORE you take pictures or drop the rig off somewhere for repair.
Same thing goes for screens over the air intake for your furnace. For whatever reason, there is no concern about propane fridges.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

The issue is a safety concern. Spider webs, cotton wood tree seeds, and other stuff can build up on the screens restricting air flow. That may lead to CO issues or other problems.

I'm not sure I understand the carbon monoxide concern.

Both the intake and exhaust are outside the camper. If combustion is incomplete and CO is produced, it will be dispersed into the atmosphere. The water heater housing is a big steel box. How would CO get into the closed living quarters?

Larry

[SailorSam20500]

Originally Posted by Larry-NC

I'm not sure I understand the carbon monoxide concern.

Both the intake and exhaust are outside the camper. If combustion is incomplete and CO is produced, it will be dispersed into the atmosphere. The water heater housing is a big steel box. How would CO get into the closed living quarters?

Larry

Just repeating what we were told. With as well as rigs are assembled these days, it wouldn't surprise me that there are ways for the CO to get into your living quarters.

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by Edmo

I have the light on the panel that lets me know it’s activated

And how does it do that? If light is ON, it's not working. It's not an ON/OFF light, it's a FAULT light (DSI/FLT). That's because they don't have pilot lights and have to light initially every time.

And if your propane lines are full of air, it's hard to get started.

I'd bet yours never lit.

[SeaDog]

Originally Posted by SailorSam20500

If it ends up being the infamous mud daubers, you may be tempted to put the commonly available mud dauber screens on the air intake. FWIW, doing so will technically void your warranty. (Learned this at a seminar given by FR's Brian.)
The issue is a safety concern. Spider webs, cotton wood tree seeds, and other stuff can build up on the screens restricting air flow. That may lead to CO issues or other problems.

I believe I would have had to challenge Brian to prove the claim. How are spider webs and such different on a screen then inside the unit? I think it is more of someone thought up a problem that didn't really exist. With that said thanks for the heads up.

[Bob in Texas]

About,mud dauber screens. My dealer here in Texas Highly recommended they installed,said they would not void the warranty, So I had them installed. After reading your post, I will certainly keep a check on them to make sure they stay clean. Thanks