Don't know how to turn on water heater

[jabberwocky]

Have not fired this up yet as I am not sure how. The tank is full of water and I'm following the instructions on the right but there appears to be no 'reset' button?

I'm just holding the pilot switch down but nothing is happening.

Pic

This is in a 1999 T27FR, Frontier

[nomad297]

In your picture, the knob is in the “off” position. Have you tried lighting it by turning the knob to the “pilot” position, pushing the knob down, then try lighting it?

If the water heater hasn’t been lit for a while, it can take a long time holding the pilot button down for all of the air to bleed out before the propane gets there.

Bruce

[jabberwocky]

Originally Posted by nomad297

In your picture, the knob is in the “off” position. Have you tried lighting it by turning the knob to the “pilot” position, pushing the knob down, then try lighting it?

If the water heater hasn’t been lit for a while, it can take a long time holding the pilot button down for all of the air to bleed out before the propane gets there.

Bruce

Yup for sure. Nothing happens. I thought that would start sparking but it doesn't do anything. No gas coming out either, can smell nothing.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by jabberwocky

Yup for sure. Nothing happens. I thought that would start sparking but it doesn't do anything. No gas coming out either, can smell nothing.

Pretty sure you have to use a match on this one as you do to light RV ovens. Can you push down the black knob when it is turned to pilot? It should move down about a 1/4". If so, when holding it down you might be able to hear gas flow, and eventually smell it at which time the match you are holding by the pilot should light it.

[jabberwocky]

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Pretty sure you have to use a match on this one as you do to light RV ovens. Can you push down the black knob when it is turned to pilot? It should move down about a 1/4". If so, when holding it down you might be able to hear gas flow, and eventually smell it at which time the match you are holding by the pilot should light it.

Yup, the pilot setting can push down but nothing is happening. Maybe the line is clogged?

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by jabberwocky

Yup, the pilot setting can push down but nothing is happening. Maybe the line is clogged?

Possible. Are the stove top burners working?

[Charliep]

Make sure you do have gas flowing, i.e. stove burners. My hot water heater was near my furnace so I ran that first to purge as much air from the line as I could. It could still take more than a minute of holding the pilot button down before the pilot flame
would lite. If your location is not optimal, it might take longer. Even then, the pilot was sometimes intermittent for 10 seconds so it needed relighting. Mine always worked but needed to be coaxed.

[Scrapper]

What is the make and model on the tag at the lower right side? I see it has a thermocouple next to the tag I'm asking about. The thermocouple could be dirty, incorrectly adjusted or bad. Also make sure the tube running across the bottom is not full of bugs. Blow it out with compressed air.

[jabberwocky]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

What is the make and model on the tag at the lower right side? I see it has a thermocouple next to the tag I'm asking about. The thermocouple could be dirty, incorrectly adjusted or bad. Also make sure the tube running across the bottom is not full of bugs. Blow it out with compressed air.

I found a video tutorial on my make and model! Man I'm an idiot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfJHEHlTsXI&t=172s

[Mr. Dan]

So... are you gonna tell your "assistance team" what you were not doing right?

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by jabberwocky

Yup for sure. Nothing happens. I thought that would start sparking but it doesn't do anything. No gas coming out either, can smell nothing.

I'm sure you have learned form the video that there is no "sparking" involved in your model water heater. Here is also the printed directions for lighting your pilot light on your water heater taken from a thread from a week and half ago.


https://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ml#post2562105

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by jabberwocky

I found a video tutorial on my make and model! Man I'm an idiot!

I asked about the make and model number because I'm sure I have the operation manual for it.

I do have the service manual for all models of Suburban water heaters. The lighting instructions for pilot models is on page 12.