Water Heater question

[Chris11427]

Hey all,

My water heater works on electric and tries to light on propane but never lights off. Anyone know a typical problem?

Another weird issue that could be related is the fridge won’t light off on the propane until I run a stove burner for a couple minutes and then it’ll be good for the whole trip.

2018 175BH

[dsol]

I think you are correct and they are related. Possibly a bad regulator. When you switch tanks you can have some wire in the line but once you get anything lit it should stay lit until the tank or tanks run out.

[persistent]

I assume Dsol mean you have air in the lines, not wire.

I agree with Dsol. Air in lines is likely. There are other possible causes.

It is standard procedure to light the stove top burners after changing tanks to clear the air from lines.

I need make and model of water heater for better advice.

Water heater burner should light even if there is a little air in the line. It should try to light three times then issue a warning (maybe a red led on a wall control panel). My led light is labeled dsl or something like that.

Typical starting cycle:
12 volt switch is turned “on” and thermostat is cool enough to start.
Gas valve opens. It frequently makes an audible click.
Igniter sparks repeatedly. It frequently makes repeated audible clicks.
Burner lights.
If heat is present thermocouple in burner signals heat is present.
If heat is not present, gas valve closes and the cycle repeats.
Lock out occurs after three failed attempts.
12 volt switch must be turned “off” and back “on” to reset and try again.

Where in the cycle does the water heater fail?

[persistent]

"fridge won’t light off on the propane until I run a stove burner for a couple minutes and then it’ll be good for the whole trip."

This is normal behavior for an absorption frig.

[trucking]

The first thing you should do is to go on line and look up Beamalarm.com
Atwood water heater troubleshooting.
On my 6 gallon hot water heater it also would try three times to start on gas mode.
After downloading Beamalarm.com
Atwood water heater troubleshooting
I found that the alignment of the flame spreader on the burner tube was out of alignment, and the air gap was set for the valley sea level, and had to adjust it for 6,000ft level here at home.
Here is a photo.

[OldOneTwo]

Originally Posted by Chris11427

Hey all,

My water heater works on electric and tries to light on propane but never lights off. Anyone know a typical problem?

Another weird issue that could be related is the fridge won’t light off on the propane until I run a stove burner for a couple minutes and then it’ll be good for the whole trip.

2018 175BH

Have you checked for critter nests in the burner area?