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Old 09-20-2012, 11:41 PM   #1
mcfarlak
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Hot Water heater not working on Gas

The hot water heater is not working on gas in our 2007 Elite Suite RL38-3. Tanks are full. Electric part is working so I have hot water but not as hot as if the gas part was working. Any suggestions before I have to call the RV doctor?
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Old 09-21-2012, 09:08 AM   #2
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First thing to check is to see if the sparking device is operating. Take the outside cover off and have someone inside turn on the gas switch, assuming the water is ready to be heated and the heater cycles. If you do not hear the clicking of the igniter and see a spark that could be the problem.

If the spark is sparking check to see if the gas tube is blocked. You will need a thin wire to probe the small hole in the gas jet.
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Old 09-21-2012, 02:36 PM   #3
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sometimes when you already have the electric on the gas wont go on til you run some water through it to cool the thermostat down and then the gas will start.
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Old 09-21-2012, 03:57 PM   #4
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I have to turn my electric off for the propane to work.
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Old 09-21-2012, 07:56 PM   #5
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Glenn; that should not be. They should work in tandem as they are compltely separate in their function other than they require the internal thermostat to call for heating.

That little module up near the top of the heater inside your storage bay sends a signal to both the propane board and the 115v relay simultaneously.
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Old 09-21-2012, 09:51 PM   #6
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I agree with Bruce--I can use both propane and electric at same time if I need hot water fast. I have been fooled before into thinking the propane was not working when the water was too warm from the electric to kick on. But, then, the propane side CAN go out...
Joe
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Old 09-22-2012, 12:22 AM   #7
Jack in Alaska
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Clean all of the spade electrical contacts by pulling them off and putting them back on. Corrosion sometimes breaks electrical continuity.
It has worked for me several times.
Good luck
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Old 09-22-2012, 08:56 AM   #8
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It's possible that the solenoids are not opening (which could point to defective solenoids or a defective control board which tells the solenoids to open) to allow gas to flow towards the spark at the orifice.

Perhaps this will help: Troubleshooting.

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Old 09-22-2012, 02:12 PM   #9
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What Gemstone said....the control boards are a common fail item. If you eliminate the rest, head that way.

Bill
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Old 09-22-2012, 04:15 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bstark
Glenn; that should not be. They should work in tandem as they are compltely separate in their function other than they require the internal thermostat to call for heating.

That little module up near the top of the heater inside your storage bay sends a signal to both the propane board and the 115v relay simultaneously.
Owner's manual states to turn off electric at heater to get propane to work. My electric heating has all kinds of issues but that's another problem I will tackle later.
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Old 09-22-2012, 05:05 PM   #11
billr
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennWest
Quote:
Originally Posted by bstark
Glenn; that should not be. They should work in tandem as they are compltely separate in their function other than they require the internal thermostat to call for heating.

That little module up near the top of the heater inside your storage bay sends a signal to both the propane board and the 115v relay simultaneously.
Owner's manual states to turn off electric at heater to get propane to work. My electric heating has all kinds of issues but that's another problem I will tackle later.
We also run elec and propane at same time to get quicker heat up. Not al the time....
I have not seen any that have an interconnection between elec and propane. Doesn't mean its not out there though....


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Old 09-22-2012, 05:18 PM   #12
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Double post...oops
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Old 09-22-2012, 10:55 PM   #13
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My 2004 has a reset switch and an On/Off switch just to the left of the burner. You might check those first.
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Old 09-25-2012, 11:40 AM   #14
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If you can hear the heater "snapping" when you turn it on, your control board is probably ok. The next step is to make sure to set the gap correctly on the igniter. This is a simple operation to check with a gapping tool you can pickup from your local hardware store. Depending on the water heater model, the gap should be 3-5 mm.
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Old 09-26-2012, 10:32 AM   #15
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It's been a month already. I guess he figured it out.
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Old 11-07-2012, 12:37 AM   #16
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Sorry for not responding sooner. My wife has Uterine Cancer and we have not been able to come down until now. So I will try working on the Hot Water Heater this weekend. Thanks all.
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Old 11-07-2012, 07:55 AM   #17
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HWH on Gas

Yesterday..........RV tech. looked at my HWH gas system. Both gas valves checked ok, resets ok. Took board off and visually ok. Reinstalled board.
Shut off electric and ran water to cool down tank. Turned on the gas and it went though 3 cycles of trying to ignite. Did that several times. It lit up but would not stay on. He is going to bring his checking system and a new board tomorrow.
Electric works fine so no urgency.

Jack
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Old 11-07-2012, 07:43 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcfarlak
Sorry for not responding sooner. My wife has Uterine Cancer and we have not been able to come down until now. So I will try working on the Hot Water Heater this weekend. Thanks all.

Ken,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife. Keep her in mind and we can always wait for an answer about the hot water heater.

Terry
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Old 11-09-2012, 07:51 PM   #19
mcfarlak
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Thanks Terry and Jo, Finally got to work on the Hot water heater this am and Guess what!!! I fixed it!, Installed 2 new T-stats. and just as quick as I plugged in the wires, I could hear the gas trying to light, After resetting and turning gas back on, burner came on with no problem, Hot water is outstanding, been using it all day and everything is fine. Even changed the annode rod and none to soon either. No leaks, I used PB Blaster penetrating catalyst a couple of days ago on the annode rod and with just miminal strain it came loose. Thank you Lord and thank you all.... We needed a breakk here.
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Old 11-10-2012, 08:06 AM   #20
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Great news on the water heater. Glad you were able to put that worry to rest.

Thoughts and prayers OTW for you and your wife.
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