Forum Discussion

Hnda_CR's avatar
Hnda_CR
Explorer
Jul 07, 2013

Atwood Water Heater Issue

Hey guys, I have a atwood DSI Gas/Electric water heater in my Sunnybrook fifth wheel. The electric portion works fine. The gas has developed an issue. When it ignites, I get this soft orange flame that just sits in the burn turn....it smells bad too. I started checking voltages to and from the circuit board and everything looks good except the red wire the goes to the gas valve. While the board is getting about 13 volts, the lead is only getting 9. I can hear the gas valve open, but I am thinking it is not opening all the way. Does anyone have any suggestions here. I can only assume it is the circuit board at this time.
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    Clean the burner orifice before going any further. Had the exact same symptoms on ours....
  • Hnda_CR's avatar
    Hnda_CR
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    Do you mean the threaded piece on the end of the gas valve? I took that out and it looks ok to me. It's the voltage that has me concerned.
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Jul 07, 2013
    The burner tube is blocked- the valve will open or not, but will not partially open. You need to physically run a brush through the tube.
  • Hnda_CR's avatar
    Hnda_CR
    Explorer
    Jul 07, 2013
    I tried that as well. It was not a brush, but I used a 4' long piece of pipe isolation and it was clean as can be. I am stumped here. I assume you are talking about the U shaped tube, that is what I checked.
  • MPD56's avatar
    MPD56
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2013
    If the flame is all orange, I would read the link below.

    http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26873043/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm

    Please keep us updated.

    Good Luck
  • sch911's avatar
    sch911
    Explorer
    Jul 08, 2013
    The orifice is at the end. It has a very small opening. A grain of sand can partially block it. I use one strand of copper extracted from a section of wire to clean it. From your description you don't have any electrical problems but rather a gas flow issue...
  • Charlie_D_'s avatar
    Charlie_D_
    Explorer
    Jul 09, 2013
    Exact same problem with my Atwood. Orifice and tube are not the problem. Stove flames are correct. Thinking about lighting and pinch back on valve at propane to reduce flow to see it it will burn better. Looks to me like too much propane and adjusting air mixer slide does not help.

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