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rreynold51's avatar
rreynold51
Explorer
Jul 19, 2015

Hot Water Heater works with door open!!

Ok...first time problem for me. I turn the hot water heater switch on, its DSI so it ignites and the fame is fine...then after a couple of mins it turns off. The ignition fires again and it runs again for a few mins and turns off again...this continues as long as I allow it. I go outside, open the door on the hot water heater and it runs fine!!! As long as I leave the door open! The vent on the door isn't blocked...

I figure I'll clean the valve and burner first chance but has any one else run into this? I feel funny opening the hot water door to get hot water!!:?

9 Replies

  • rreynold51's avatar
    rreynold51
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2015
    Thanks! I didn't want to mess with it in the Mtns over the weekend but we will pull it apart now that we are back...I'm sure some critter some how took up residence in there...at least until we fired it up the first time!!
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Jul 20, 2015
    rreynold51 wrote:
    Its a Suburban SW4D RV Water Heater if it matters...




    Cover on left with 'reset' is where the 12V DC set of t-stats are located. High temp t-stat will trip if water temp exceeds 180*F and can be manually 'reset' after water cools to 110*F

    Need to remove burner tube and run a brush thru it....blowing air thru usually doesn't clean enough to be effective.

    Run a wire thru combustion/exhaust chamber..tie a rag to end of wire and pull it back thru to clean out spider webs/debris

    Then reinstall and check position of spark electrode......S/B directly engulfed by main flame
  • rreynold51's avatar
    rreynold51
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2015
    Doesn't look like the Atwood. Circuit board isn't visible, I believe its hidden behind a cover on the left with a reset button on it.

    I blew into the tube as much as I can but I need to locate a pipe clean or some kind of brush to clean the burner tube. There could be something in there that I can't see.

    Really strange one for me and took me a little bit to figure out it would work with the door open. Got to be air related as everyone indicates...I clean it and let everyone know.
    Thanks!
  • therink's avatar
    therink
    Explorer
    Jul 20, 2015
    It sounds like it needs more air indicative of a possible spider Web or debris in the burner tube. Try blowing out the burner tube with ccompressed air or use a flexible pipe cleaner to push out debris. Most camp stores sell a $5 tool for this. I keep one in my tool box.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jul 20, 2015
    Is the circuit board visible? If yes, it is an Atwood. Did you clean the connector on the circuit board?
    Does this look like it/
    Atwood manual
  • rreynold51's avatar
    rreynold51
    Explorer
    Jul 19, 2015
    Suburban I believe. I tried tapping on it and everything else but no change. It is dusty from storage so I tried to clean away as much as possible. I thought the screen was plugged...but nothing there...works great with the door open. Lites, heats, and shuts off.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jul 19, 2015
    Could be bad or loose ECO, thermostat or thermal fuse.
    With door open it doesn't get to the point of opening the device.
    Atwood or Suburban?

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