Hot water heater

[rockfordroo]

You said you didn't know if you had DSI (Direct Spark Ignition). If you do, there should be a light next to the switch for gas, probably labeled something like "DSI FLT." At least on relatively newer RV's.

See the red light here (this guy also has an indoor electric swtich in series with the outdoor electric switch):

[pokey]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

You said you didn't know if you had DSI (Direct Spark Ignition). If you do, there should be a light next to the switch for gas, probably labeled something like "DSI FLT." At least on relatively newer RV's.

See the red light here (this guy also has an indoor electric swtich in series with the outdoor electric switch):

I only have 2 switches inside for propane, on / off and reset. It's an '06 Forest River Cardinal.

[Mr. Dan]

The age of your trailer may indicate your heater doesn’t have Direct Spark Ignition. Can you see around the gas lines, etc., what looks like a spark plug wire - maybe orange, maybe red?

[pokey]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

The age of your trailer may indicate your heater doesn’t have Direct Spark Ignition. Can you see around the gas lines, etc., what looks like a spark plug wire - maybe orange, maybe red?

It has nothing at all like that. It's an older model.

[formerFR]

whether you are on shore power, or not, you don't have to 'turn off' the Electric element for your water heater since it's only going to work by electricity IF you have shore power. You can certainly use your Propane anytime, EVEN when the electrical is also ON, as the water heaters like this are designed to be able to use both at the same time, if you wish.

You can even leave your propane switch on ALL the time, even if on shore power, but that doesnt' mean it will actually USE the propane, if the electrical does the work sufficiently enough.
Generally, the electric element is more efficient for KEEPING water hot, and slowly heating it. Propane generally is best at QUICKLY heating the water. You may find that with both in play, when you are on shore power, the propane will hardly ever ignite and use it's propane, unless you have just taken a shower or used a lot of hot water. It's a great option when families are taking back-to-back showers, giving them much quicker hot water filling of the tank.

I might suspect that you have a DSI dual fuel water heater, like many of us, though various makes differ in their design. Some have an additional electric switch out on the water heater panel itself, while some of the rest of us have only the interior electric switch, along with the Propane/gas switch. Some factories install panels inside with common switches, side by side, and some others use different switches in different places.

If you simply switch on your propane/gas switch, but don't hear or see anything happening, it could be that your water temperature is already high enough that it does not NEED to fire up and make any more hot water. It will, eventually, if you are not on shore power, or you have switched the electric switch OFF. The propane/gas will only fire up when it NEEDS to. Sometimes very infrequently - you can't really 'make' it fire up, unless you run a lot of hot water to get it's tank temp down low enough.


If you find that none of this applies to you, you may actually have a 'manual light' propane/gas water heater, meaning that the pilot has to be lit before the switch will operate it, and the pilot will continue to stay lit until you 'manually' turn it off AT the water heater itself.

of course, you have to also have to HAVE propane, and have your MAIN propane supply valve ON, whether an onboard tank, or your front exterior tanks, depending on your RV.

[dalford]

Do this...
1.Turn on propane switch
2. AC on or off, does not matter
3. Turn on hot water spigot in RV and run until cold
4. Go outside and see if gas is heating (hear it and hot air exhausting)

[pokey]

Originally Posted by dalford

Do this...
1.Turn on propane switch
2. AC on or off, does not matter
3. Turn on hot water spigot in RV and run until cold
4. Go outside and see if gas is heating (hear it and hot air exhausting)

And turn the AC switch off at the water heater before and let cool.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by pokey

And turn the AC switch off at the water heater before and let cool.

No need to let it cool if you open a hot water spigot in the RV and let it run until it is cool/cold...once the water temp get cold enough the gas will turn on.

[pokey]

Originally Posted by dalford

No need to let it cool if you open a hot water spigot in the RV and let it run until it is cool/cold...once the water temp get cold enough the gas will turn on.

Got it and that may be quicker than turning it off and waiting until it's cool.

[rockfordroo]

Maybe take a pic of the WH and post it here. Might help us understand what kind you have.

[dalford]

Originally Posted by pokey

Got it and that may be quicker than turning it off and waiting until it's cool.

Yes, a lot quicker. Turn on hot water in kitchen and bathroom.. should only take about 5 min or less...

[pokey]

Originally Posted by dalford

Yes, a lot quicker. Turn on hot water in kitchen and bathroom.. should only take about 5 min or less...

Great information to know, Thanks

[oxcamper]

Dumb question, but sometimes overlooked. Do you have Propane at your stove or furnace? If so, maybe a faulty thermocouple that prevents ignition?

[oxcamper]

If you don't have a DSI, how does the unit have a pilot light? How is that lit?

[pokey]

Originally Posted by oxcamper

If you don't have a DSI, how does the unit have a pilot light? How is that lit?

A propane tube with a hole inside of the water heater than can be lit with a grill lighter.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by dalford

No need to let it cool if you open a hot water spigot in the RV and let it run until it is cool/cold...once the water temp get cold enough the gas will turn on.

Originally Posted by pokey

Got it and that may be quicker than turning it off and waiting until it's cool.

And... that's exactly what I suggested in post # 14...

pokey... can you post a photo of your water heater from the outside with the access door open?

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by pokey

I only have 2 switches inside for propane, on / off and reset. It's an '06 Forest River Cardinal.

Pokey, do you have a switch with a red rectangle reset beside it If so, the red reset is a lamp and not a switch. It's explained in the suburban links Fonzie pointed you to previously. If you will read them, you should have a good understanding of how both the electric and propane work.

[wmtire]

Does your switch look like this:

[pokey]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Does your switch look like this:

Attachment 225257

No, Mine is on the panel with slides switch etc. It's just on / off and a reset switch side by side.

[pokey]

Originally Posted by wmtire

Pokey, do you have a switch with a red rectangle reset beside it If so, the red reset is a lamp and not a switch. It's explained in the suburban links Fonzie pointed you to previously. If you will read them, you should have a good understanding of how both the electric and propane work.

Thanks, I do have that switch but have never needed it nor knew that it was for. I'm going to check the manual out more when I can.