Forum Discussion

OBX-GL's avatar
OBX-GL
Explorer
Aug 02, 2021

Need help, hot water tank fail.

Ok, so DW wants hot water while off grid. Unreasonable right ? :)

Hot water tank works on shore power, but only kinda on DC.

Basically it cycles ignitor/clicks normally. It fires fully on very very first ignition click, full flame stays on as long as ignition clicking keeps it going. Issue is, it goes out with the end of ignition cycle. Again back on first click for remaining two cycles till system times out. I'll turn off/on the switch and the same symptom persists again for that cycle.

Not sure of the brand of unit. I have vacuumed out what i can, no change. Seems to be very little to adjust, or clean, or take apart. I don't even see an adjustment on the tube to alter fuel/air mixture.

I'm the original owner. It did work when last i used the propane option, that was many years ago however.

Please add your thoughts !

- Greg
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Aug 03, 2021
    Sounds like a dual service Suburban. My understanding from the op - works while plugged into 110 and using the 110 heating side. Does not work while using the propane side of the wh. I suspect this is true whether plugged in to 110 or not. Sounds like there is gas at the wh as it burns as long as the igniter is operating. Get a new control board.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 03, 2021
    Depending on model, the ignitor acts as the flame sensor. If no flame is present, the circuit board shuts off the propane.
  • OBX-GL's avatar
    OBX-GL
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2021
    toedtoes wrote:
    Is everything else working on battery power? If not, then it may be your converter.

    Is it a combination heater - has an electric heating element - or just an electric ignition?

    If the former, check the thermocoupler and propane lines for leaks.


    AC and DC/propane heater. Solid very strong blue flame when running.

    Im guessing its a Suburban style heater.
  • OBX-GL's avatar
    OBX-GL
    Explorer
    Aug 03, 2021
    enblethen wrote:
    Make and model of water heater would help.
    Check the flame sensor to insure it is in the center of the flame and adjusted correctly.
    Your circuit board could be bad! I will wait for make and model!
    Propane would run off batteries when not connected to shore power.


    Checking images, i believe it is a Suburban heater.

    My theory - heater doesn't seem to recognize the flame is going. Will it stop the gas in conjunction with the completion of the ignition cycle ? If so, how is it sensed ? I don't see anything in the burner path to identify the flame is burning.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Aug 02, 2021
    Make and model of water heater would help.
    Check the flame sensor to insure it is in the center of the flame and adjusted correctly.
    Your circuit board could be bad! I will wait for make and model!
    Propane would run off batteries when not connected to shore power.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Aug 02, 2021
    Is everything else working on battery power? If not, then it may be your converter.

    Is it a combination heater - has an electric heating element - or just an electric ignition?

    If the former, check the thermocoupler and propane lines for leaks.

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