Water heater trouble

[mike.t]

Worked fine for about 8 days. Last day got up to shower had no pressure in shower and found water heater light off. Checked breaker (OK) Flipped switch on and off but no light. Do I pull the switch and check for power? help will be appreciated. Suburban
Mike

[crunchman12001]

Were you running on electric or propane. Gotta ask.

[mike.t]

Well now I am Plugged into shore power but it does run on propane to heat water. Heard it ignite before but not this time. I did drive with it on(don't know if that is a nono) also was on city water.
Thanks

[Flybob]

Not sure you really have a WH problem based on your description.
Do you have water pressure and Hot water in Kitchen faucet?
If so it is likely that the faucet or shower head is is clogged with crud. Depending on the quality of the water in the area, you can develop white sticky crud in the water heater. This will move through the plumbing and eventually build up and clog valves like shower, faucet screens and toilet flush valves. You may have to take the valve apart. If the water is hot you will not hear it ignite.

[crunchman12001]

Battery full charge now?
The water heater will try 3 times to light and then it goes to a fault condition.
Did you turn it off and try again?

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by Flybob

Not sure you really have a WH problem based on your description.
Do you have water pressure and Hot water in Kitchen faucet?
If so it is likely that the faucet or shower head is is clogged with crud. Depending on the quality of the water in the area, you can develop white sticky crud in the water heater. This will move through the plumbing and eventually build up and clog valves like shower, faucet screens and toilet flush valves. You may have to take the valve apart. If the water is hot you will not hear it ignite.

Pressure appears fine in kitchen.Water warm not real hot(but did not let it run long was worried about running out taking a Wh%^$# bath)
Concern is the light is not on by the switch
Thanks

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by crunchman12001

Battery full charge now?
The water heater will try 3 times to light and then it goes to a fault condition.
Did you turn it off and try again?

Drove about 250 miles then pulled into CG did not check water at that time not until morning. w
Was plugged into shore power (30AMP)

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Pressure appears fine in kitchen.Water warm not real hot(but did not let it run long was worried about running out taking a Wh%^$# bath)
Concern is the light is not on by the switch
Thanks

What light is it in particular that is not on?

If it's the DSI Fault/flt/reset light, then it's not supposed to stay on. If it does, then you have a fault with the propane igniting. This light only comes on at the initial propane lighting stage, then goes off once the propane safely ignites.

See if this thread may help. Even if you have an Atwood, and not a Suburban...... the fault/reset/flt works the same.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...tml#post327988

If you drive with the DSI/propane on, then if the water heater attempted to come on using propane and failed to ignite after three unsuccessful attempts, the system went into lockout mode. It's explained in the link above.

You shouldn't drive with the water heater DSI on.

[mike.t]

Thanks all. special shout to wmtire.Guess I never noticed that reset light going out. I am at home now so will have to figure a way to get some water in the TT (bout 65/70' from water source) to do some checking.
Again thanks to all for your insight and knowledge.
Mike

[rracer5]

You say you're plugged into shore power & if the water heater 120v electric side is ON and the water in the heater is already hot, there will be no need for the propane to light (the water is already hot enough).
You initially mentioned a "pressure" problem in the shower. This is either a campground problem (if all the other faucets have no pressure also) or you have picked up some debris that had clogged the water restrictor in the shower nozzle. You'll have to take the restrictor out and clean it.

If the propane side attempted to light 3 times and failed, it will "lock out" and not try any more. To reset this, remove the 12v fuse (not the breaker) and check it. Then reinsert it and that should reset the "lockout" and the heater should try to ignite if the water temp is low enough. When it tries, the red light will come on, you will hear clicking and if it lights, the red light will go out. This is normal operation. If the light stays on (after it tries 3 times) then there is a propane flow issue.

Good luck & let us know if you get it going.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Thanks all. special shout to wmtire.Guess I never noticed that reset light going out. I am at home now so will have to figure a way to get some water in the TT (bout 65/70' from water source) to do some checking.
Again thanks to all for your insight and knowledge.
Mike

Huhh, I must type slow...

[mike.t]

Thanks rr. I'll take apart the shower nozzle in AM and let you know.
Mike

[mike.t]

Originally Posted by rracer5

Huhh, I must type slow...

Don't get it but still appreciate your help.

[rracer5]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Don't get it but still appreciate your help.

I started typing 10 minutes before wmtire posted. I either got really distracted or type really slow.

[mike.t]

Not a worry.Both you guys are very helpful.
Mike

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by rracer5

I started typing 10 minutes before wmtire posted. I either got really distracted or type really slow.

Howdy rracer5, I checked the post times and they are below. I also checked your profile and you are set for eastern time in case you are physically in another time zone. Even so, then all the post times would still correlate to you the same, and all the previous posts before yours would still correctly show up before yours. Are you seeing something different than what I have a screenshot of below for the post times?

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by rracer5

Y
If the propane side attempted to light 3 times and failed, it will "lock out" and not try any more. To reset this, remove the 12v fuse (not the breaker) and check it. Then reinsert it and that should reset the "lockout" and the heater should try to ignite if the water temp is low enough. When it tries, the red light will come on, you will hear clicking and if it lights, the red light will go out. This is normal operation. If the light stays on (after it tries 3 times) then there is a propane flow issue.

No need to pull the fuse. Just turn the switch off. See step 8, top of page 7, right hand column, in the attached operating instructions.

[mike.t]

Rockford. Going to check the shower nozzle for debris 1st. If the trip light is on how do you reset it?
Thanks
Mike

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Rockford. Going to check the shower nozzle for debris 1st. If the trip light is on how do you reset it?
Thanks
Mike

Hmm. Did you read what I said in Post 17, and the attached installation and operating manual?

As I said in Post 17, and as stated in the manual on page 7, just turn it off at the gas switch (inside your RV), wait 5 secs and turn it back on. It should then go through the lighting cycle again. If it still doesn't light after 3 tries, it will lock out again and the DSI light will come on.

Note that if the water is already hot enough, it isn't even going to try to light. If you have electric heating element turned on, it isn't going to light.

If you are really trying to make sure it's lighting, turn the electric element OFF (outside at the water heater), then run a few gallons of water through it to cool it down, then turn the gas switch on (inside your RV) and it should go through the lighting cycle.

[mike.t]

Very much appreciate the help. Did not quite understand the red light on(locked down/ no power/no water in tank/or something else) However you can keep your Hmm. factor.