I’m new to camping don’t judge me. When I went camping all worked except the water heater? What am I doing wrong. I have a 2015 Dutchmen. Do I have to fill it a special way am I not igniting it? Please help I’m so lost. Don’t judge. Kind vibes.

More details please.........Model of Dutchmen?Brand/Model of water heater?Is water heater Full of water ---Cold inlet valve open, Bypass valve CLOSED?Opened closest faucet HOTSIDE with water supply ON to allow water heater to FIll and bleed air from systemIf gas model.....Is propane valved in service?Have you used any propane appliance so LP System is pressurized and get flow(light off stove top burners on HIGH and let them burner for a minute to get fll pressure/flow established)Water Heater......might need several attempts to get full propane flow to water heaterTurn switch ON...if you get a solid red light turn Off and then back ON

And remember most water heaters have an inside "On" switch and an outside "On" rocker behind the outside panel where the water heater is drained. Make sure that little guy is "On", too.

Ride S40T wrote:And remember most water heaters have an inside "On" switch and an outside "On" rocker behind the outside panel where the water heater is drained. Make sure that little guy is "On", too.Only Suburbans ---outside switch is for Electric Element (OEM)Inside switch is for GAS Some RV MFGs will add an Inside Switch for Electric wired in series with outside switch...both have to be on for electic to work (unless burned out due to no water in tank)Atwood uses Inside switches since 2004 models (combo elecric/gas)Gas Only...inside switchThink OPs Dutchmen uses Atwoods

If one is at a campground and has trouble like that ask around and I'll bet one of the campers will have a water heater like yours and can tell you how it works. Don't be shy. Most people are more than willing to help. Just wear a mask!

1) Make sure the tank is full and the bypass is set so water goes thru the hot water heater. (failure to fill can burn out the electric element in under a minute) To check from the outside feel for heat and if cool, pull the lever on the pressure relief valve with the pump on. Should spit some water out at you.2) Listen at the outside as someone turns on the heater (electric and gas). You should at least hear a click as it switches on. If not, use a multimeter to check for voltage.3) If you put it on gas, you should hear multiple clicks as it tries to light. If it's the first time since propane ran out, it may take a few tries before propane clears the air out of the line (after a minute or two without lighting, it will give up to protect the unit). Once lit, you should feel hot air from the chimney.4) If you put it on electric, you should still hear some noise as the heating element kicks on.Some simple potential issues: - Check the breaker is not tripped and the 12 fuse is not blown. - Make sure the switch is on (possibly an external one also). - Depending on brand, there might be a reset in the outside panel. - Make sure propane is turned on and you have propane (try lighting the stove burners to check)90% chance one of these items fixes the issue.

Water heater newbie | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jun 01, 2020
More details please.........

Model of Dutchmen?

Brand/Model of water heater?

Is water heater Full of water ---Cold inlet valve open, Bypass valve CLOSED?
Opened closest faucet HOTSIDE with water supply ON to allow water heater to FIll and bleed air from system

If gas model.....
Is propane valved in service?
Have you used any propane appliance so LP System is pressurized and get flow
(light off stove top burners on HIGH and let them burner for a minute to get fll pressure/flow established)

Water Heater......might need several attempts to get full propane flow to water heater
Turn switch ON...if you get a solid red light turn Off and then back ON

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Water heater newbie

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