Suburban Water Heater won't stay lit

[ed9]

Hi. The propane flame goes out after a minute or three minutes. Flame looks large when on. Checked for webs. Electric water heater runs good.
Have 2013 Rockwood Signature Lite.
Does the heating element run on electric? Or any other causes?

 

[HONDAMAN174]

Do you have water in it? Does the stove work?

 

[ed9]

Yes stove works and water in it.

 

[McRabbet]

If it is like every other gas-fired appliance, there is a thermocouple that controls the gas valve so the gas will only flow if the pilot flame is on. I'm not familiar with the Suburban unit, but yours may need a replacement thermocouple.

 

[wmtire]

Hi. The propane flame goes out after a minute or three minutes. Flame looks large when on. Checked for webs. Electric water heater runs good.
Have 2013 Rockwood Signature Lite.
Does the heating element run on electric? Or any other causes?

Do you have the electric on at the same time as the propane? The electric heating element and the propane side work independent of one another and each have their own thermostat.

If both sides turned on:

If the electric heating element has the water already heated, then when you use the hot water (like taking a shower) and the temp inside the tank drops to a certain level, then both sides are going to start heating. The propane heats a lot quicker than the electric. Once the the water heats back up, then the thermostats for both side turns them both back off once the water inside the tank comes back up to the preset heated temperature.

--------------------------------------

If just the propane side turned on:

OR, is the water cold, and the propane never heats it up fully....with the electric heating element being off.

If you have a Suburban water heater, this thread may help:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/fo...ic-switch-and-much-more-36197.html#post327988

 

[aceinspp]

How long has camper been siting? May have obstruction in gas jet area. Check for dirt from mud dubbers and or spiders . Later RJD

 

[ed9]

Electric turned off. Propane never heard it. Flame keeps going out. No wonder. No spiders ECT. Thanks for the link.

 

[awellis3]

Hi. The propane flame goes out after a minute or three minutes.

Do you have electronic ignition or pilot light?

 

[ed9]

Elelectic ignition.

 

[ed9]

Also, my pilot light goes out every few minutes in my stove.

 

[5picker]

Also, my pilot light goes out every few minutes in my stove.

But you said in post # 3 the stove works.
Is this the pilot in the oven?

What happens when you light a stove burner and try to light the water heater?
Sounds like a propane delivery problem.
Bad regulator, kinked hose, bad connector, etc.

 

[ed9]

That's what I'm thinking. Stove works, oven pilot goes on and off. Will check lines.

 

[BillyBass]

maybe you have dirt in the line or you have air
in it

 

[ed9]

How do you get dirt out of a propane line? Or air?
Stove works good.

 

[ka7cxa]

It is possible that you are having problems with your regulator. My first check would be to get a manometer to check the pressures at the tank (11 inches on the water column) then regulator out put. (should be on regulator) Then check the appliance.
If you have dirt and crud you can clear the lines with compressed air. NOTE: propane is heaver than air and will puddle in low lying areas. With the proper mixture of air it could explode. Make sure to leak check all joints before calling the job done.
If all pressures check good it may be a flame verification problem and you should have a certified tech. look at it.

 

[DouglasReid]

How long has camper been siting? May have obstruction in gas jet area. Check for dirt from mud dubbers and or spiders . Later RJD

X2

Im betting there is an obstruction somewhere. MUCH more common than a bad thermocouple. Besides, if it stays on for 3 minutes, the thermocouple is working just fine or it would extinguish as soon as you let go of the button or fail to light if it is DSI.

 

[ed9]

It is possible that you are having problems with your regulator. My first check would be to get a manometer to check the pressures at the tank (11 inches on the water column) then regulator out put. (should be on regulator) Then check the appliance.
If you have dirt and crud you can clear the lines with compressed air. NOTE: propane is heaver than air and will puddle in low lying areas. With the proper mixture of air it could explode. Make sure to leak check all joints before calling the job done.
If all pressures check good it may be a flame verification problem and you should have a certified tech. look at it.

Okay. Not into explosion. Thanks.

 

[awellis3]

It is possible that you are having problems with your regulator.

Sounds right to me. Or those OPD valves on the tanks.

 

[BillyBass]

you might have a cob web in it

 

[Crockett]

water heater in bypass could cause it to run for a few then shut off. check bypass. could have oil in lp line from reg to manifold. pull hose to reg and drain if necessary. check connections with soapy solution afterwards for leaks.