Hot water heating instructions

The older units usually have all the controls at the WH. Knobs and stuff you turn and push.

I think those used Atwoods-
http://bryantrv.com/docs2/docs/operating/atwood1.pdf

neddkaren wrote:
Hi, I have a Fleetwood travel trailer from 1992. I can't figure out how to work the hot water. I have a propane tank. Can anyone help me please? Thank you, Karen

Hi Karen<
Can you help us ID which Brand/Model you have?
Open outside access panel and see if any 'readable' info is available on stickers/data plates.
Something like Atwood G6a-3E or Suburban SW6D etc

No info...then pick which one looks like yours

#1


#2


#3


#4

If yours is older and gas only, chances are it runs off a pilot light, like a gas oven. You set a fire starter under the place where the fire lights, and then you push a knob that says pilot. Once the Pilot lights, you continue holding the knob in for a few seconds to a couple minutes (depending). If you can let go of the push knob the, and the flame stays on, then you set the knob to the "on" position. The burner will start and turn off when up to temperature, but the pilot light will continue to burn. On windy days, it's not uncommon for the pilot light to blow out.

If your's is more contemporary, then there should be a switch inside the camper that turns on the electric "spark" that ignites the flame.

My 1993 model water heater worked much the same as the one I have now
1.) make sure propane is turned on
2.) i always lit the stove for a minuet to ensure the gas was flowing
3.) turn water heater switch on
4.) listen for a clicking noise followed by a swoosh sound as the water heater lights.
5.) put hand near water heater exaust vent it should get hot if working.

It is normal to have to repeat steps 3-5 a few times, after the gas has been turned back on

I have a Fleetwood Prowler 24C from 1991. Likely you have an Atwood G6A6 pilot style water heater that holds 6 gallons. If it is located at the back of the trailer, it takes a looooooong time to purge the air out of the system to get propane back to the water heater burner. I mean many minutes, particularly if you are only using the pilot to purge the air out. I often get the stove/oven lit first (mine is about 1/2 way in the trailer, so that gets the gas half way to the water heater), then go purge the water heater. I usually turn the control knob to "on" so I can hear the gas flowing through the main jet. I keep my nose sniffing for propane. Once I smell it. I shut the valve off, and go do something else for 15-20 minutes to let the propane dissipate. Then I come back and light the pilot (turn the control knob to pilot, hold it there, and use a BBQ lighter to "bathe" the pilot in flame until the pilot lights and stays lit. Keep it flowing for at least 30 seconds (when the pilot will stay lit on its own). Then, turn the control valve to "on," and the water heater should light (might even startle you the first time when it goes on). Go to the link, and download the operations manual for the G6A7... the operation instructions are the same for the G6A6 model.

http://www.easternmarine.com/atwood-g6a-7-rv-water-heater-6-gal-lp-gas-96110

If your water tank hasn't been cleaned in a while, it will likely have a sulfur smell. Flushing the tank and cleaning it with vinegar isn't that difficult, either.

Hope this helps-
Steve

If it is a '92 Fleetwood then it has one like picture number 3. and you do not push down on the blue knob, you turn the blue knob past ON to the PILOT position and light the pilot burner. You continue to hold the lighter to the pilot burner and thermocouple (the needle looking part above the pilot flame) for about 15 seconds and then turn the blue knob back to the ON position. The burner will fire up and the pilot light will stay lit. Then you can close the heater door and wait for the water to heat up.

It is a pain in the rear to light when the wind is blowing right into the side of the trailer. You must block the wind with your body while trying to keep a lighter lit and then lighting the pilot without the wind blowing out your flame.

It should have an electric element also but at that age it may no longer work. Mine does not and I have a '92 also. If the electric heating element still works there will be a light switch in the trailer labeled "hot water" and "microwave". Since the two are on the same circuit you can only have either the microwave or the water heater on and the switch controls which one power goes to.

This is it. Mine is also like #3 but I have a sliding gizmo a the back of the control unit that adjusts the temperature of the water. Slide it left for warm water and to the right if you want to keep it real hot. I really like that feature. My other trailer has the new fangled auto everything which does not allow for temperature adjustment. Water is hot, actually too hot for my liking.

It might help if you can blow out the large burner tube before you start it up. You can get a lot of junk in these tubes over time.

Thank you so much for all of the helpful information you all posted. We are going to try to get it working per these replies. I will keep y'all updated on it. :)