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azbohunter's avatar
azbohunter
Explorer
Dec 04, 2018

Attwood gc10a-3e

Attwood gc10a-3e Have intermittent starting on gas, works fine on electric side. I have cleaned all the terminals and applied some dielectric grease to them. It seems if it is continuous use it works but if I turn it off for a day or two, it most likely will not fire up when turned on. If I turn it on and off 2-3- maybe 4 times it usually starts. I have been told if the board was bad that it would probably not start at all? Any thoughts?
I need to add that before I cleaned all the terminals it wouldn't fire at all so leads me to believe there is still something not making good contact?
  • Propane and electric are completely separate systems on that model

    Propane side is all in outside compartment and exposed to the elements.
    It is a 2002 model....16 yrs old
    Corrosion/resistance play havoc with 12V DC current
    Also good clean/tight ground connections are a must
  • Intermittent start on gas is a sign that the gas side needs a clean, not the electric contacts. Sand-paper the ends of the igniter probes (all three) and use mineral spirits to clean (soak in a jar or can) the sprayer. The sprayer will shoot mineral spirits like a little water pistol when it is clean.
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Propane and electric are completely separate systems on that model

    Propane side is all in outside compartment and exposed to the elements.
    It is a 2002 model....16 yrs old
    Corrosion/resistance play havoc with 12V DC current
    Also good clean/tight ground connections are a must


    I think I will go back over all the electrical connections and even replace some of the connectors. I have the tools to do that.
  • BFL13 wrote:
    Intermittent start on gas is a sign that the gas side needs a clean, not the electric contacts. Sand-paper the ends of the igniter probes (all three) and use mineral spirits to clean (soak in a jar or can) the sprayer. The sprayer will shoot mineral spirits like a little water pistol when it is clean.


    I have cleaned the probes and the grounds, not sure what you are referring to as "sprayer""? Orifice maybe???
  • azbohunter wrote:
    BFL13 wrote:
    Intermittent start on gas is a sign that the gas side needs a clean, not the electric contacts. Sand-paper the ends of the igniter probes (all three) and use mineral spirits to clean (soak in a jar or can) the sprayer. The sprayer will shoot mineral spirits like a little water pistol when it is clean.


    I have cleaned the probes and the grounds, not sure what you are referring to as "sprayer""? Orifice maybe???


    Yes, orifice. Leave tube on the intake and fill with mineral spirits and blow --should squirt out.
  • "Yes, orifice. Leave tube on the intake and fill with mineral spirits and blow --should squirt out."


    Not on Atwood.
    Orifice screws into body of gas valve

    Suburban orifice is on burner tube
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    "Yes, orifice. Leave tube on the intake and fill with mineral spirits and blow --should squirt out."


    Not on Atwood.
    Orifice screws into body of gas valve

    Suburban orifice is on burner tube


    Sorry. Yes, on my gas only Atwood, I got the orifice off and it has a "hollow" at the intake end which held enough spirits that I could squirt it out. (have to spit after that! :) )
  • Dielectric grease will never make a connection better. Get everything working first and then slather that stuff on if you must.
  • ScottG wrote:
    Dielectric grease will never make a connection better. Get everything working first and then slather that stuff on if you must.


    I have cleaned all the terminals and applied some dielectric grease to them

    I have gone through this step twice, first time I was camping when I started having issues, I cleaned all terminals and connectors best I could with a small wire brush and one of my wife's emery boards. Did not help. When I got home I did the same procedure again only using emery cloth and removing the igniter and using the emery cloth on the probes.....I also using pliers pinched all the female connectors tighter so assure a better contact, THEN I applied dielectric grease hoping it would help to prevent future issues with connectivity.

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