atwood water heater trying to ignite while burning

[newguy65]

Hey everyone- kind of a new, not so new, TT owner here. I have a 2017 Jayco 287BH that we have had loads of fun using since we got it. Everything has been peaches except for the blasted hot water heater. From almost day one it has been inconsistent at best. I've beat my head against the wall trying to fix it but figured I'd try a dedicated post with the details to see if anyone might be able to help.

So basically it's an Atwood direct ignition water heater. When I push the switch inside the camper the heater will ignite with a 'quick' ignition sequence (click, click, click, click, very rapidly) the flame will light and continue to run, the flame sensor will glow bright orange. After a few moments however, the ignition will begin again but this time about half speed (click, click, pause, click, click, pause) while the unit is burning with flame. I've adjusted the tube and got a nice blue flame and it runs relatively quiet. I did notice however when I shut the outside door to the water heater that the ignition will begin rapidly clicking again. So basically I have to leave the door open to keep the burner running but even then the water heater will almost always not heat the water all the way (luke warm) and it will shut off and the error light next to the on/off switch inside the camper will come on.

So? Any advice? I'm guessing I can't be the only one with this problem.

On a related note- I'd prefer to fix this one but just for poops and grins is there an aftermarket water heater that I could swap this one out for that is generally considered more 'bulletproof'? I'd jump on that in a heartbeat if it meant spending more time with my kids instead of wasting time with the one I have now.

Thanks!

[S_Davis]

Check the ground connections, that is how most of the gas burning appliances verify there is a flame present, they run a small currant through the flame. If it does not detect a flame it will continue to spark trying to light the flame. After a certain time period it will go into lockout and you need to reset the control.

[Old-Biscuit]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
BAD circuit board

Atwood changed vendors back in 2016 (??) to a different Chinese vendor and got a slew of defective circuit boards by the 1000's
They were in Atwood/Dealer/Aftermarket stocks

Sept 2018 they swapped out the defective for another vendor (Atwood/Dealer)---some Aftermarkets still have them in stock/on shelf.

Atwood was replacing for FREE.
Check the Vendor/Bar Code.....if Zhongding. Bad board

Ordering aftermarket...hit/miss depends on stock rollover.
Best bet..Contact Atwood and get for FREE?

[newguy65]

John Wayne wrote:
I've been having problems with mine also and down loaded a list of tests for the pc board. The first test is to make sure you have a good ground went out unscrewed the ground wire retightened it problem solved. Give it a try.

Thanks, I'll give this a shot in the morning as well.

[newguy65]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
BAD circuit board

Atwood changed vendors back in 2016 (??) to a different Chinese vendor and got a slew of defective circuit boards by the 1000's
They were in Atwood/Dealer/Aftermarket stocks

Sept 2018 they swapped out the defective for another vendor (Atwood/Dealer)---some Aftermarkets still have them in stock/on shelf.

Atwood was replacing for FREE.
Check the Vendor/Bar Code.....if Zhongding. Bad board

Lol... Just checked and yep; That's what I got. Thanks for the heads up on that manufacturer. I assume the quick and dirty way to get up and running asap would just be to go get a new one at a dealer or online? If I pulled the existing board and took it in what brand or manufacturer should I be looking for? The one I have is a Zhongding 91349 but a quick google search is not showing me any replacements for that particular model. It measures 4 1/4" x 2 1/2"

[SidecarFlip]

Zhongding, what a name...

[Old-Biscuit]

BAD circuit board

Atwood changed vendors back in 2016 (??) to a different Chinese vendor and got a slew of defective circuit boards by the 1000's
They were in Atwood/Dealer/Aftermarket stocks

Sept 2018 they swapped out the defective for another vendor (Atwood/Dealer)---some Aftermarkets still have them in stock/on shelf.

Atwood was replacing for FREE.
Check the Vendor/Bar Code.....if Zhongding. Bad board

[John_Wayne]

I've been having problems with mine also and down loaded a list of tests for the pc board. The first test is to make sure you have a good ground went out unscrewed the ground wire retightened it problem solved. Give it a try.

[newguy65]

I should add that I just repeated the whole process just now and after the burner goes out and the error light comes on I tried restarting it with the switch inside the camper. The water heater will try to light as normal (with the rapid clicking) but will run through its 3 ignition attempts before stopping and throwing on the error light again.