Water heater SW6D

[EandR]

Had water heater on and working just fine for three days when all of a sudden the propane warning alarm came on. Shut everything off and aired out the camper.
Next day I turned the heater back on and after six hours of operation it did the same thing.
We turned all gas and power to the heater off. Aired out the camper once more and left the heater off and returned home.

The heater is a Suburban SW6G direct spark ignition.

Any one ever had the same problem? If so, how was the problem fixed?

Camper is a 2019 Rockwood A213HW.

 

[Thomas ho]

was the side with w- heater exhaust facing in to the wind? pushing exhaust fumes back in trailer .

 

[Wan2bMountainman]

was the side with w- heater exhaust facing in to the wind? pushing exhaust fumes back in trailer .

That was my problem a last winter!

 

[bikendan]

HAD WATER HEATER ON AND WORKING JUST FINE FOR THREE DAYS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PROPANE WARNING ALARM CAME ON. SHUT EVERYTHING OFF AND AIRED OUT THE CAMPER.
NEXT DAY I TURNED THE HEATER BACK ON AND AFTER SIX HOURS OF OPERATION IT DID THE SAME THING.
WE TURNED ALL GAS AND POWER TO THE HEATER OFF. AIRED OUT THE CAMPER ONCE MORE AND LEFT THE HEATER OFF AND RETURNED HOME.



THE HEATER IS A= SUBURBAN SW6D Direct Spark Ignition.


ANY ONE EVER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? IF SO, HOW WAS THE PROBLEM FIXED?

CAMPER IS A 2019 ROCKWOOD A213HW.

Just a note. Using all caps on a forum, is considered as shouting.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

 

[Capacitor]

Just a note. Using all caps on a forum, is considered as shouting.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Forest River Forums mobile app

I’ve heard that before. It makes it easier to read with these tired old eyes.
If the h2o heater is near the door, close it and try again.

 

[EandR]

A little more info on the sw6d. It was a calm day.

Thanks for responding.

 

[Capacitor]

Do you have a bug screen on the WH door over the vent?

 

[NavyLCDR]

I’ve heard that before. It makes it easier to read with these tired old eyes.

Makes it easier to read for me too since I am hard of hearing after 29 years in Navy engine rooms and on aircraft carriers.

 

[Thomas ho]

1/2 of a # 10 can makes a wind block ,screw it to outer cover , opening at top and bottom .

 

[NavyLCDR]

ANY ONE EVER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM? IF SO, HOW WAS THE PROBLEM FIXED?

I can hear you just fine, and yes, I did have the same problem. It was the CO alarm going off (which is in combination with the propane alarm in most RV's). I removed the burner from the water heater and cleaned out the combustion chamber by spraying water in it. I noticed some ash material that flushed out. No problems with CO alarms after that.

 

[Capacitor]

As far as I know the propane alarm senses unburnt propane(leak) whereas the carbon monoxide detector senses burnt fuel. Which alarm is activating?

 

[wmtire]

All caps corrected in the first post.

 

[Zoinks]

Had water heater on and working just fine for three days when all of a sudden the propane warning alarm came on. Shut everything off and aired out the camper.
Next day I turned the heater back on and after six hours of operation it did the same thing.
We turned all gas and power to the heater off. Aired out the camper once more and left the heater off and returned home.

The heater is a Suburban SW6G direct spark ignition.

Any one ever had the same problem? If so, how was the problem fixed?

Camper is a 2019 Rockwood A213HW.

I had a similar issue on my 2019 A213HW. Back when it happened lots of folks had similar comments as what you see in this thread and you should explore those basics. However, in my case, I ended up determining that the sensor was bad. It seemed to gradually get worse when I was sure there was no carbon monoxide or propane leak issue. I replaced the combined sensor system and all has been fine since then. It used to go off at the worst possible times and the alarm is VERY loud. Just another thought on what to check.

 

[pgandw]

There was a time when it was common for the 1st time use of the water heater to set off the propane/CO alarm in A-frames. I experienced it on my 2014 A122 A-frame. After finding out from another A-frame owner that this was not rare, I tried it again - and never had the alarm go in concert with the hot water heater again.

I did get a low battery alarm from the detector - right in the middle of a terrible series of thunderstorms. On the way in to the campground, we had been delayed at the gate for 1.5 hours while the fridge was running on DC. The thunderstorm put me inside before I had a chance to hook up electrical.

On our 2nd and present A-frame, the dealer carefully demonstrated proper working of all appliances. This included burning in the heater to get rid of the oil smell, and making sure the water heater didn't set off the propane/CO alarm. I don't remember the last time I used the water heater, so it's probably time I fired it up again. But then I'm coming up on the replace by date on the LP/CO alarm, so maybe I'll just wait until then. We use a small electric coffee pot or a teakettle on our camp stove for hot water to wash dishes with.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2022 Hyundai Palisade