Water heater

[schusters07]

On our latest trip we noticed our pilot light for our hot water heater kept going out. Not sure if it's on a timer? But we pretty much had to light it anytime we wanted hot water. We're newer to the travel trailer world, but is it something that we can light and leave for the few days we're parked? It wasn't windy or any other conditions to blow out. Thanks!

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[jackl806]

We have been living in our 28bhks four two weeks and have the same problem, looking for answers as well.

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[fonzie]

Originally Posted by schusters07

On our latest trip we noticed our pilot light for our hot water heater kept going out. Not sure if it's on a timer? But we pretty much had to light it anytime we wanted hot water. We're newer to the travel trailer world, but is it something that we can light and leave for the few days we're parked? It wasn't windy or any other conditions to blow out. Thanks!

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For members to help we need to know what trailer you have and model number of your water heater.....

[Herk7769]

So here is some help regardless of the model heater you have.

The "light" only comes on when it is calling for heat. The light goes out when you have water in the tank at the thermostat set temperature (normally 130 degrees).

If the light lights; then goes out it is working correctly. If it stays ON, you have a failure to light problem.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE HOT WATER; then you have a mixing problem.

Check your winterizing bypass valves to make sure the cross tube bypass is CLOSED and not open. That will allow cold water to mix with the hot water when you open the hot water faucet.

Something else to check is the hand wand in the shower and the outside shower. IF the hand wand button is CLOSED and the faucets were left open (no water will come out; BUT) the cold water will cross THROUGH the mixing valve body and cool down your hot water.

Hope you find it.

[fonzie]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

So here is some help regardless of the model heater you have.

The "light" only comes on when it is calling for heat. The light goes out when you have water in the tank at the thermostat set temperature (normally 130 degrees).

If the light lights; then goes out it is working correctly. If it stays ON, you have a failure to light problem.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE HOT WATER; then you have a mixing problem.

Check your winterizing bypass valves to make sure the cross tube bypass is CLOSED and not open. That will allow cold water to mix with the hot water when you open the hot water faucet.

Something else to check is the hand wand in the shower and the outside shower. IF the hand wand button is CLOSED and the faucets were left open (no water will come out; BUT) the cold water will cross THROUGH the mixing valve body and cool down your hot water.

Hope you find it.

I was asking info as it might be an older water heater which does not have DSI and has actual pilot light....hope OP will provide info....

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by fonzie

I was asking info as it might be an older water heater which does not have DSI and has actual pilot light....hope OP will provide info....

Oh, that is an excellent point. There are two posters with the same problem.
Perhaps one (or both) of them has DSI.

I have a manual around the Herkbrary and will look up proper operation of a manual (pilot) heater and check back.

[Herk7769]

OK, seems the pilot light units do not have "ON" lights.

Just the pilot flame outside that is lit from outside to "turn it on."

If there is a light inside it is DSI.

[Jasmin]

We are having this problem with the hot water heater in our Patriot travel trailer. We can light the hot water heater and it will work fine for a while, then the water gets cold and we check and find that the pilot light has gone out. We don't know if the wind it somehow blowing it out or if it's some other problem. Has anyone solved this problem? Thank you!

[pops p]

I had this problem when I had my pop-up. Check the distance between the thermocouple and where the pilot flame is. My gap was too large and I needed to bend the pilot piece closer to the thermocouple. Easy to do with needle-nosed pliers. Hope this helps.

[TimVWulp]

Originally Posted by Jasmin

We are having this problem with the hot water heater in our Patriot travel trailer. We can light the hot water heater and it will work fine for a while, then the water gets cold and we check and find that the pilot light has gone out. We don't know if the wind it somehow blowing it out or if it's some other problem. Has anyone solved this problem? Thank you!

Hi Jasmin When you lite the pilot you have to hold the red button down on the gas valve down for 30 sec to lite it? If this is how you have to lite the gas valve the thermocouple is weak or is not in good contact with the pilot flame. My guess is that this problem just started and that the thermocoupe is bad. The thermocouple will need to be replaced. New themocouple can be bought at local hardware store.

Hope this helps Tim

[Jasmin]

TimVWulp, t's done this since we got the trailer. It will work for a while, and then just go out. We will have to check out the distance between the thermocouple and the pilot flame, as pops p suggested. If that doesn't work, we'll try replacing the thermocouple. Thank you both for your help!

[TimVWulp]

Originally Posted by Jasmin

TimVWulp, t's done this since we got the trailer. It will work for a while, and then just go out. We will have to check out the distance between the thermocouple and the pilot flame, as pops p suggested. If that doesn't work, we'll try replacing the thermocouple. Thank you both for your help!

The Pilot flame should be in contact with the last 1/3 of the thermocouple. If you have a multi voltage meter that can read mill volts. The thermocouple should be making 30 mill volts. You can read this by unscrewing the thermocouple from the gas valve. Measure the voltage at the bottom end that you put in the gas valve and the side that goes in the gas valve. The pilot will have to be burning and flame in contact with the thermocouple for 1 minute before you take reading. If the voltage falls below 25 mill volts it is no good.

Hope this helps Tim

[Jasmin]

Okay, I'll have to have my husband check that out the next time we get out to our camper. Thanks for your help, Tim!