Atwood Water heater help

[mtnman1989]

I have an Atwood Gas Water heater model number G6A-7E in a 1994 Fleetwood motorhome. It is the basic 6 gal DSI

The water heater has always worked well until now. I searched the forum and read some other Atwood problems posted here.

It just started giving problems this week. The water heater would start and come on and work after a few try’s. Then it would work sometimes, now it does not work at all. I am now getting the lock out red light.

Here is what I have done so far. I checked for 12 volt and have good voltage 13.4 to the thermostat with the switch on. I blew out the tubes good with air. I disconnected and clean all the grounds connections. I checked all the other wires and made sure the connections were clean and solid. I also sprayed electrical cleaner on the connections to the control board. The thermal disconnect wire is good.

I removed the little thermostat and ECO. They both show continuity when checked at the terminals. I don’t know if that is how you check them to see if they are good or not?

Is there a way I can check the control board to see if it is good?
Is there a sequence to checking and tracking to see where the problem is?
Is there anything else I can check?

Would I have 12 volt at the thermostat if the control board was bad?

What do you think?
mtnman

[mtnman1989]

OK, here is an update.

I took the control board off and ran some ohms checks with the multimeter.
The board measured nothing trying to get continuity between the terminals.

I called a local RV dealer and talked with a tech.
He said remove the igniter wire from the board and turn the water heater on, if the board clicked inside then the board was good and the igniter was bad. If the board did not click then the board was bad.

I did the test and got nothing meaning the board was bad. I gave the board a little tap with the back of the screwdriver and it started clicking. I removed the board and ran the same ohms checks with the multimeter. This time I got continuity between the terminals showing the board was good. This means the board is most likely going out but it is working well now.

I re-installed the board and the water heater is starting right up every time perfect.

Maybe this information will be helpful to someone else in the future for checking their control board.
mtnman

[APRSRVer]

You're probably on the right track with the control board especially if you have cleaned well the connection to the board. However, you must adjust the electrodes in the flame according to the dimensions given in your manual or the flame sense won't work properly.

[mtnman1989]

What about the T stat, can they be checked?
I thought about applying heat to the back of them with a soldering gun?
mtnman

[mtnman1989]

wa8yxm
Thanks for the info, I will remove the control board and inspect it.
mtnman

[wa8yxm]

Most common issues with DSI gas water heaters are..

1: Lack of routine cleaning of burner and related areas.. Solution, PM it.

2: Control board or other component failure (I'll lump em all in this).

To test the control board.. Remove and take to Camping World (Call first to be sure they can do it) as if anyone near you has a tester, they are suspect #1, NOTE Removal is easy, two screws, two electrical connections. One of which is suspect I might add (the high voltage one).

OR: remove and replace.

in my case... Control board died... I was unable to get a Dinosaur replacement for logistic reasons so I had to go with another OEM

If you have to replace.> Check with Dinosaur boards.. Much better boards in my not very humble opinion.

[mtnman1989]

Is the thermalcouplein the pilot flame?

No it is not the pilot light model.
It is the Electronic Ignition system.
mtnman

[donn0128]

Is the thermalcouplein the pilot flame?