Hot water using electric but not while using gas?

[74Fox]

Hello All,

We has a wonderful time this year as first time campers in our 2006 Shamrock 23rs. There was only one thing that puzzled us. Our water heater worked just fine while hooked up to electricity. However, when we fired the water heater up on propane；the water never got hot.

The water heater pilot was lit.
The flame was normal and blue.

What did we do wrong? What else should we look for? Are there additional steps for getting hot water with propane that we are missing?

The previous owner that we purchased the camper from had the same experience and wasn't sure how to resolve it. Your advice is greatly appreciated! :-)

[wmtire]

74Fox, do you know offhand what brand/model water heater you have?

I am assuming, that it is a pilot light model (not dsi) and you had your gas valves open on your tank(s), and they had fuel in them

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by 74Fox

Hello All,

We has a wonderful time this year as first time campers in our 2006 Shamrock 23rs. There was only one thing that puzzled us. Our water heater worked just fine while hooked up to electricity. However, when we fired the water heater up on propane；the water never got hot.

The water heater pilot was lit.
The flame was normal and blue.

What did we do wrong? What else should we look for? Are there additional steps for getting hot water with propane that we are missing?

The previous owner that we purchased the camper from had the same experience and wasn't sure how to resolve it. Your advice is greatly appreciated! :-)

Is the Hw switch on?

Turbs

[74Fox]

Yes to the following:

1. Tanks full
2. Gas is turned on (stove range and oven operate without issue)
3. Water heater switch is turned on
4. Pilot is lit (normal shape and blue, no orange flame)


Our hot water works fine when camping with an electric hook up.


We don't get hot water when using propane, the water just runs cold.


The model of the water heater is: SW6, Suburban Direct Vent Gas Water Heater

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by 74Fox

Yes to the following:

1. Tanks full
2. Gas is turned on (stove range and oven operate without issue)
3. Water heater switch is turned on
4. Pilot is lit (normal shape and blue, no orange flame)

Our hot water works fine when camping with an electric hook up.

We don't get hot water when using propane, the water just runs cold.

The model of the water heater is: SW6, Suburban Direct Vent Gas Water Heater

Chane the gas nozzle, sounds like its plugged. CW or Suburban.

[jim44646]

OK your Pilot is lit. Does your main burner come on? You'll hear a roar like a jet engine. after pilot is lit is the knob turned to on position? Spiders love propane and could have a web in burner nozzel. can clean with canned air

[wmtire]

Originally Posted by 74Fox

The model of the water heater is: SW6, Suburban Direct Vent Gas Water Heater

Thanks 74Fox. There should be some more digits after the SW6, that will tell us a little more about your particular model (maybe a P or a PE perhaps). This info should be on a tag at the bottom right hand side of your water heater box (accessed from the outside of your trailer)

I just want to make sure of the exact model to narrow down the problems it could be with yours as Suburban makes a SW6 in a P, PR, PE, PER, D, DE, and DEM. All of these after letters tell us how your heater operates, and what to look for in the troubleshooting.

Here is a pdf file on the SW6 (and it's many models). Near the bottom of it are some troubleshooting guides, that are sorted by particular models (once you know your exact one).

http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Subu...ice_Manual.pdf

I agree with others that it could be a clogged tube, or maybe a faulty gas control (which I assume you are turning the gas control valve to the on position after lighting the pilot light in the pilot position).

[74Fox]

Thanks so much Guys for all of your responses! Hubby and I will get the rest of the model number and reply back also, we'll take a look at that tube that you all mentioned and give a status on it.

It just seems so strange that the hot water only works using electric and no one that we talked to around here ever heard of or, had an issue quite like that.

Thank God for this forum! You guys are the best! :-)

[jim44646]

Originally Posted by 74Fox

It just seems so strange that the hot water only works using electric and no one that we talked to around here ever heard of or, had an issue quite like that.

Thank God for this forum! You guys are the best! :-)

No, not strange. 2 different heat sources. One's working other isn't. Electric uses an electric heat element. Gas burner runs off of propane. One has nothing to do with the other.

[OldCoot]

If you have to light the pilot, you may also have to turn the gas valve from PILOT to ON.

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

If you have to light the pilot, you may also have to turn the gas valve from PILOT to ON.

I agree if you can see the pilot and the burner is not coming on check your gas valve.If you have the valve turned to on and still not lighting the burner you will need a new gas valve....

[74Fox]

SOLVED! Newbie issue. DH and I figured out that we simply were not waiting long enough for the water to get hot. Everything was set correctly and the pilot was fine but we just had to wait about 20 to 30 minutes for hot water. We knew it took a bit for the water to heat up but did not anticipate the wait time to be approximately 30 minutes! We were thinking more like 10 to 15 minutes. Lesson learned!

[bikendan]

glad it was just a newbie mistake.
the WH actually heats up faster on propane than on electric.
you can also use both at the same time, if you have electric hookups, for faster recovery.

yea, if you'd mentioned the time issue, we would've of told you 20-30 minutes for a fully hot WH.