Water Heater blows out every couple hours - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 05-30-2019, 12:58 AM   #1
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Water Heater blows out every couple hours

The water heater seems to run fine, and there is plenty of propane, but every few hours I look up and the red light is on, meaning it went out. It restarts fine. Any ideas?
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Old 05-30-2019, 12:25 PM   #2
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It's not supposed to be on all the time I don't think... Does it restart when you need it to or do you have to shut the switch off and on again? If you are boondocking use the gas, if shore power, use their electricity and turn the propane on only when you are taking a shower. You will have more hot water.
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Old 05-30-2019, 10:13 PM   #3
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The red light on my remote panel comes on when the burner tries to light but fails.
I can't think of a likely reason your starts and later won't.
Could be air in propane line. If so it would clear out and start working properly.
Could be the propane supply regulator is sticking or partially obstructed.
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Old 05-30-2019, 11:33 PM   #4
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The red light on my remote panel comes on when the burner tries to light but fails.
I can't think of a likely reason your starts and later won't.
Could be air in propane line. If so it would clear out and start working properly.
Could be the propane supply regulator is sticking or partially obstructed.
dirt dobbers LOVE Propane
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Old 05-31-2019, 02:27 AM   #5
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Thanks.. The little red light meant the pilot actually went out while it was waiting to come on again. I blew the tube out and got some dust, and so far it’s been ok today..
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Old 05-31-2019, 02:28 AM   #6
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Thanks.. the propane is good.. I blew the tube out and got some dust, and today so far it hasn't happened again yet.
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Old 05-31-2019, 08:55 AM   #7
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mine is electronic so NO PILOT! Glad to hear you may have resolved it. I have a screen over the exhaust for my heater. I got a dirt dobber in it and it would come on for a second or two then go out. He got WAY in there and stopped everything. The pilot light going out usually means that there is something not right so it extinguishes itself.
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Old 05-31-2019, 11:33 AM   #8
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mine is electronic so NO PILOT! Glad to hear you may have resolved it. I have a screen over the exhaust for my heater. I got a dirt dobber in it and it would come on for a second or two then go out. He got WAY in there and stopped everything. The pilot light going out usually means that there is something not right so it extinguishes itself.

Frank, unless one owns a rare camper the water heater doesn't have a standing pilot. Hasn't been a standing pilot in many things for many years.
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Old 05-31-2019, 03:28 PM   #9
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Frank, unless one owns a rare camper the water heater doesn't have a standing pilot. Hasn't been a standing pilot in many things for many years.
That’s what I thought and is why the pilot does not stay lit for long in the oven and you need to light it when you want to bake something. I think he is saying that the flame goes out after coming on then the thing shuts off and the red light comes on to let him know there was a problem and shut itself down. Didn’t think there was an actual pilot light. It is a spark ignition..
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Old 05-31-2019, 05:44 PM   #10
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Most of us have DSI water heaters in our RVs. If the heater ignites the gas and the burner stays on then that parts is working. The igniter is switched out of the circuit once the flame sensor senses the flame.


After that it is up the the gas valve to stay open and the flame to remain lit. Gas valves usually don't pose a problem but they can. Something is causing the flame to extinguish for some reason. I don't know the heater but it could be a problem in the snap switches that control heat and continuity. If the heater has those they can and do go bad. The flame can be impeded and the exhaust port can be impeded. Mud daubers and critters like to live in the water heaters.

At this point a comprehensive diagnosis is needed, starting at gas regulator pressure.
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Old 06-02-2019, 10:50 PM   #11
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clean dust … dirt /// bugs and rust out of fire chamber so flame / air have a clean smooth travel route ….I use a green scrubby // aka scotch brite and push it thru after taking flame tube out ..
once a year spring cleaning
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