Swap Pilot for Electronic (Water Heater)?

Cleaned the orifice. It was clear. Still not working. Now just got to decide if I buy a new gas valve or a whole pilot ignition wh.

ktmrfs wrote:

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 fridge

If it is getting full flow usually blowing out the orifice will solve the problem. maybe the wh gas valve is not functioning properly.

Yes - I turned the stove on and all 3 burners are giving full flame. Even tried the water heater while they were on to see if that made a difference, but it didn't. Going to try cleaning out the orifice.

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 fridge

If it is getting full flow usually blowing out the orifice will solve the problem. maybe the wh gas valve is not functioning properly.

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.

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..

Is it not trying to work on propane, or is it having problems lighting up?

We can help with more info.

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?