Forum Discussion

Bradmobile_1's avatar
Bradmobile_1
Explorer
Apr 29, 2017

hot water

I use to have plenty of hot water, and now I have hot water only for a few minutes then it goes cold, my reset switch stays on constantly now. Can someone give me some suggestions on what I can do to fix my problem, please.
  • If the water heater is working (actually heating the water on electric or gas) and you are not getting hot water, you probably have your outside shower mixer valve handles turned on....the outside shower needs to be turned off, not just the little button on the spray head.

    Check you outside shower, make sure it is actually turned off.
  • Are you running your heater on gas or propane or both?

    Does it fire up on gas and run for 15-20 minutes and then turn off, meaning the water in the tank is now hot? Or does the gas burn for just a moment and then shut off.

    Need a little more detail what your experiencing.

    Need to determine if the water is mixing cold and hot (like at a shower or an outside shower or faucet, or if the heating element ... gas or electric ... is only running for a few moments and then shutting down.) This would give you a little bit of hot water, but would quickly run out.

    And, when it starts running cold, does the water heater turn on again to heat up?

    Help explain a bit more so we can help you.
  • Bradmobile#1 wrote:
    I use to have plenty of hot water, and now I have hot water only for a few minutes then it goes cold, my reset switch stays on constantly now. Can someone give me some suggestions on what I can do to fix my problem, please.



    What Brand/Model of water heater?

    'Reset Switch' On constantly :H

    If Atwood....
    Red Fault Light means Propane Flame has NOT lit and PROVEN that it lit so 3 attempts and 'Lock out'-----Fault Light
    OR the ECO (ENergy Cut Off T-stat ---High Temp T-stat) has OPENED shutting down heating due to HIGH temp (electric or propane)

    IF Suburban...
    Light 1st comes on when you turn Propane ON then goes out when propane lights off & PROVES it lit....otherwise the light stays on cause propane failed


    Hot water for few minutes then COLD----that is cause water is NOT being heated
    From your description I am going to say you have a Suburban and the propane is not lighting off/proving it lit cause of light staying on.

    Spark electrode is also used to prove flame lit.
    Could be dirty///sooted/carbon on it---clean with emery cloth
    Could be loose/corroded connection....clean/tighten
    Could be loose/corroded ground....assembly mounting screw provides ground
    Could be spark gap---too small/too large----s/b 1/8" gap
    Could be electrode not engulfed in flame...reposition
    Could be cracked ceramic insulator....replace spark electrode
    Could be faulty spark electrode....DOES it spark?