Suburban DSI Water Heater Issue

[lapoldo]

Hoping someone can help out a newbie. I have a 2018 Forest River Heritage Glen 300BH. The water heater is a six gallon Suburban DSI propane model with the supplemental electric switch on the unit.

We've had the trailer a few weeks and the water heater was working fine. Suddenly last weekend, no hot water. I checked propane levels, which are fine. I then checked thermocouple. Seems to be working because it allows gas through. DSI clicks but burner does not light. I know the thermocouple is working to allow gas through because I can light the burner manually, but it shuts off after about five seconds.

I removed the igniter and it was a little sooty but otherwise looked fine. I cleaned it off and still nothing.

At this point, I figure it's a bad igniter / flame sensor or the wire from the flame sensor rattled loose from the board. I haven't yet opened the panel inside the coach to check the latter. I also don't have my multimeter to check the voltage and don't want to simply ground it for fear of frying the board.

Has anyone ever seen one of these igniter / flame sensors go bad that quickly? It looks fine (no cracks, visible damage, etc.). Any other suggestions would also be welcome. Thanks in advance.

Lou

[SeaDog]

any electronic device can fail right out of the box. Does the heater work in the electric mode? If it works on electric and not propane I would lean toward something on the control board if the igniter is in good shape.

[donniedu]

Trp resetting the 12V upper limit switch. Check to be sure to thermalcouple is in the flame.

[lapoldo]

It works in electric mode.

[lapoldo]

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you reset the upper limit switch?

[HangDiver]

Originally Posted by lapoldo

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you reset the upper limit switch?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPK_4Cz_h80

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by lapoldo

Pardon my ignorance, but how do you reset the upper limit switch?

Jennifer Terry with Suburban, explains resetting the ECO/Thermostats in this FAQ:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...de-135974.html

[modaholic]

I have the same suburban water heater. Getting ready to leave the camp site , while taking a shower, I ran out of water using the GAS mode. When I got home I tried to lite the water heater in GAS MODE with no water in the tank. No dsi spark . After checking all connections I found nothing to get the dsi to click. I then connected the water hose to the TT , filled the hot water tank and the dsi functioned, I now have it working again . Any ideas what the problem was .

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by lapoldo

It works in electric mode.

I'd look to see if Thermocouple is aligned with the flame. If Thermocouple doesn't sense heat quick enough it triggers the gas valve shut off.

[jkoenig24]

Do you have an OUTSIDE shower? If the outside water valves were left open (water was shut off on the handheld unit instead of at the "regular" knobs), you will NOT get hot water out of any inside faucets.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by lapoldo

Hoping someone can help out a newbie. I have a 2018 Forest River Heritage Glen 300BH. The water heater is a six gallon Suburban DSI propane model with the supplemental electric switch on the unit.

We've had the trailer a few weeks and the water heater was working fine. Suddenly last weekend, no hot water. I checked propane levels, which are fine. I then checked thermocouple. Seems to be working because it allows gas through. DSI clicks but burner does not light. I know the thermocouple is working to allow gas through because I can light the burner manually, but it shuts off after about five seconds.

I removed the igniter and it was a little sooty but otherwise looked fine. I cleaned it off and still nothing.

At this point, I figure it's a bad igniter / flame sensor or the wire from the flame sensor rattled loose from the board. I haven't yet opened the panel inside the coach to check the latter. I also don't have my multimeter to check the voltage and don't want to simply ground it for fear of frying the board.

Has anyone ever seen one of these igniter / flame sensors go bad that quickly? It looks fine (no cracks, visible damage, etc.). Any other suggestions would also be welcome. Thanks in advance.

Lou

See page 10 for DSI system explanation and troubleshooting.

[lapoldo]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Thermocouple has not tripped. Outside shower was not left on. Heater functions fine in electric mode. Thermocouple is in the flame. It was working for two weeks then just decided to stop working. I can light it with a BBQ lighter but the flame goes back out after about 5 seconds. That's why I'm assuming an igniter/flame sensor failure or a fault on the board. I didn't have a chance to pick up a new igniter yet, but will let everyone know when I do.

Lou

[wmtire]

Please keep us informed of this. I have been noticing a rash of bad circuit/control boards being reported on the forums lately. I'm wondering if yours is one of them too.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1539404

2 different members in this thread stated they had bad boards in new RV's

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1469951

2 More different members in this thread, both having to replace boards within days/weeks of RV purchase

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ml#post1490249

[Iwannacamp]

If the igniter is clicking but no pilot lighting(and there is gas present) then the spark isn't getting to the igniter or it is weak. I read here about bad boot/connection and voltage leaking from igniter wire. If it is like mine i would look 2 places. One where the boot connects to the igniter. The second is where the ignition wire comes through the sheet metal panel(mine is siliconed in) and a good place for voltage leaks. Couple cheap checks.

[modaholic]

Originally Posted by modaholic

I have the same suburban water heater. Getting ready to leave the camp site , while taking a shower, I ran out of water using the GAS mode. When I got home I tried to lite the water heater in GAS MODE with no water in the tank. No dsi spark . After checking all connections I found nothing to get the dsi to click. I then connected the water hose to the TT , filled the hot water tank and the dsi functioned, I now have it working again . Any ideas what the problem was .

Does anyone have a comment?

[lapoldo]

Guessing board short or loose connection. Suggest you check clip in connections at board. The ride home could have jarred it back into place.

I finally got a chance to replace the igniter / flame sensor on mine over the weekend. Still won't heat on propane. Igniter clicks but that's all. Can manually light but goes out after five seconds. Opened the access panel and verified that all connections to the board were tight. Still works on electric mode. Has to be a bad circuit on the board. Back to the dealer it will go.

[modaholic]

Thanks for your reply. Where is this board located .

[lapoldo]

Mine was stuck on top of the water heater with double sided tape. Not sure where yours is, but on my 300BH, you can access the water heater by removing the lower drawer in the bunkhouse. I was able to reach in and check the connections.

Lou