My old trailer had a pilot ignition water heater which worked great and never gave me problems. My new trailer has an electronic ignition Atwood and it does not work on propane, in spite of me troubleshooting for a long time. I know I should be able to get the electronics working, but my question is:Can you swap in a pilot ignition into the existing water heater, or would I have to replace the whole unit?

You would have to replace the tank- add the cost of the parts, and it's cheaper to buy the whole thing.These are pretty simple- why not just fix what you have?

Is it not trying to work on propane, or is it having problems lighting up?We can help with more info.

Easier and will be cheaper in the long run to buy a new pilot version and replace entire existing tank.Then you could resell the used tank with electronic ignition on craigslist as long as you inform the buyer that you were having issues with getting to to light. Someone else my be looking for parts or a project.I have a pilot model and kind of like the simplicity of the minimal design, works great and uses no battery power. Once and a while I think that it would be nice to flip a switch.. But not at the prices they want for the electronic ones..

It doesn't appear to be putting enough gas out. The ignitor sparks and the gas valve solenoid kicks in, but it does not light. If I use a lighter, I get tiny little pops like a small amount of gas is getting there. I have taken apart and cleaned and aligned the burner tube. I have use a small wire to poke the orifice, but I think I need to take it apart and clean it. I just kind of like the simplicity of the pilot ignition, but I have not given up yet.

upuaut wrote:It doesn't appear to be putting enough gas out. The ignitor sparks and the gas valve solenoid kicks in, but it does not light. If I use a lighter, I get tiny little pops like a small amount of gas is getting there. I have taken apart and cleaned and aligned the burner tube. I have use a small wire to poke the orifice, but I think I need to take it apart and clean it. I just kind of like the simplicity of the pilot ignition, but I have not given up yet.does your stovetop work and give a full flame? If not, the issue may be with the propane tank excess flow valve. If propane was turned on to fast at the tank, it trips the excess flow and flow will be to low to run the burner for the stovetop, oven furnace or water heater. but enough for the fridgeIf it is getting full flow usually blowing out the orifice will solve the problem. maybe the wh gas valve is not functioning properly.

Swap Pilot for Electronic (Water Heater)? | Good Sam Community

27 Replies

BrianinMichigan
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
It looks similar to mine, ( but mine is much older ) If it has dual solenoids on the gas valve only one may be opening making it sound like the valve is working. You will need to take a resistance check on both of the coils on the solenoids. As I remember on mine the were around 90 ohms per coil. I rewound one of the coils and fixed the problem.
gotsmart
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017
nevermind
upuaut
Explorer
Aug 04, 2017
Update: installed new gas valve. Working great! Total cost $87. Thanks for the help!
upuaut
Explorer
Aug 02, 2017
nineoaks2004 wrote:
My 2016 has a pilot HW heater, I am glad, never failed and it also has an adjustable thermostat on the gas valve..I also added an electric heater to it also
and it works good too.

Was it easy to add the electric element to it?
nineoaks2004
Explorer
Aug 02, 2017
My 2016 has a pilot HW heater, I am glad, never failed and it also has an adjustable thermostat on the gas valve..I also added an electric heater to it also
and it works good too.
upuaut
Explorer
Aug 02, 2017
Old-Biscuit wrote:

Did you measure the resistance of the solenoids....OHMS test or just throwing parts at it ?

Yes & No.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 01, 2017
upuaut wrote:
Orifice is not damaged. I'm not about to spend money throwing parts at it unless I'm sure it will fix the problem.

Ordered a new gas valve. Will update on whether it works.

Did you measure the resistance of the solenoids....OHMS test or just throwing parts at it ?
upuaut
Explorer
Aug 01, 2017
Ordered a new gas valve. Will update on whether it works.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jul 31, 2017
"Once and a while I think that it would be nice to flip a switch.."

:)

Shoot it doesn't take *that* long to slip on a raincoat
upuaut
Explorer
Jul 31, 2017
Pauljdav wrote:
I have that same wh. In the istructions it sais to ensure the electrical connections are clean.

Yup, been there, done that. Taken them all off, cleaned and checked them.