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TomLusk's avatar
TomLusk
Explorer
Jul 13, 2014

Atwood Water Heater Problem.

I just installed a new Atwood 6 gallon propane water heater -Atwood Mobile Products 96110 Pilot Ignition Water Heater - 6 Gallon.

The unit appears to operate fine, the pilot stays lit, the burner has a strong blue flame, and the burner shuts down after 10 minutes or so.

I assumed I would have hot water. Actually got warm water for about 10 seconds, then back to cold. I put the temperature control to hot, the burner kicked in immediately and ran for 5-10 minutes, then shut down.

Checked the water at the sink (about 4 feet of pipe from the hot water discharge line from the heater) and same thing - lukewarm for a few seconds, then cold.

What could I have done wrong??

10 Replies

  • TomLusk's avatar
    TomLusk
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2014
    Thanks so much for solving my problem and the explanations. More to learn with my first RV than I thought...
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 14, 2014
    That is the 'bypass valve'

    You have a 3 valve system

    Bottom valve (white line) is cold inlet to WH
    Top valve (red line) is hot outlet from WH
    Middle valve (on left) is bypass valve

    Bypass valve is used to 'bypass WH when winterizing and/or repairs to WH tank
    You close cold/hot valve & open bypass----no water goes in WH tank
    You close by pass and open cold/hot valves...cold water flows into WH tank/heats/hot water flows out

    Bypass open allows cold water to flow to hot water line......
  • racer4's avatar
    racer4
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2014
    "Could you try and explain to me what happens when that valve is open?"

    The cold water goes into the water heater in the bottom pipe.
    The hot water comes out of the water heater in the top pipe.
    The valve on the left, when open, allows water to bypass the water heater.

    The bypass is generally used when winterizing the water system. Open the valve on the left and close both valves on the right to bypass. It allows you to fill all the water pipes with RV antifreeze without having to use 6 or 10 gallons of RV antifreeze to fill the water heater. Just drain the water heater.
  • TomLusk's avatar
    TomLusk
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2014
    "Valve on the left should be closed".

    I closed the valve on the left and now I have hot water! Thanks so much!

    Could you try and explain to me what happens when that valve is open? Does the hot water go into the holding tank or something?
  • TomLusk's avatar
    TomLusk
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2014
    Photo of plumbing:

    http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg578/Tom_Lusk/TRAILERPLUMBINGHOTWATER_zps7e28b2f7.jpg

    OR

  • TomLusk's avatar
    TomLusk
    Explorer
    Jul 14, 2014
    I just started from fresh a couple of minutes ago. The burner stayed on for 22 minutes. Again, just a few seconds of luke warm water. Adjusted the temperature control to High, burner started and ran for 12 minutes. I got hot water for approx. 10 seconds, then war for a few seconds, then cold.

    The heat generated for a total of 34 minutes has to be heating the water better than that?

    There is no air in the lines. No anti-freeze by-pass. No check valve that I can see.

    I'll add a photo of the plumbing with the various shut-offs - all of which I have on open.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jul 13, 2014
    Ten minutes is a little quick.
    Did you run the water with a hot water faucet open to clear all the air?
    Do you have a anti-freeze by pass kit installed? Is the valves in the correct position?
    Did you install a check valve in the hot water line or in the cold water line/ Is it installed in the correct direction?
  • dougrainer's avatar
    dougrainer
    Nomad
    Jul 13, 2014
    TomLusk wrote:
    I just installed a new Atwood 6 gallon propane water heater -Atwood Mobile Products 96110 Pilot Ignition Water Heater - 6 Gallon.

    The unit appears to operate fine, the pilot stays lit, the burner has a strong blue flame, and the burner shuts down after 10 minutes or so.

    I assumed I would have hot water. Actually got warm water for about 10 seconds, then back to cold. I put the temperature control to hot, the burner kicked in immediately and ran for 5-10 minutes, then shut down.

    Checked the water at the sink (about 4 feet of pipe from the hot water discharge line from the heater) and same thing - lukewarm for a few seconds, then cold.

    What could I have done wrong??


    Check your Bypass valves if you have them. Then open the pop off valve. IF you have scorching hot water you have the bypass valves in the wrong position. Doug

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