Procedure for Lighting Manual Water Heater ? Update

Update on my "previously enjoyed" "new to me" 1981 11-foot slide-in Frontier camper with the water heater problem. It now works. Even after the good procedure explanation above it was still operator error :(

I was trying to light it with the flame on the main burner. You are supposed to put the flame over by the pilot's burner. I didn't know the pilot had its own burner.

I did see some Robert Shaw (he must have got the idea for these from working with "Jaws" ) controls at an RV dealer store here. Going for $177!!! Also had some identical looking Jade ones for $137, but my usual RV repair shop guy (different place) says Jade went out of business a few years ago. Anyway, at those kinds of prices I am glad mine is working! Yipes.

Next to get the furnace working. Another gas pilot deal :)

At least the 1981 Phillips converter works. What a museum piece!

Also got the 1981 Dometic fridge working on gas or electric. It too has a pilot for the gas. Works on 120v but haven't tried it yet on 12v. Don't think I would like to run it on 12v!

ECO trips at 190*F......it is a one time device. When blown you have to replace the complete gas control (valve)

Before replacing any parts........verify that you are getting propane to the valve.
Crack fitting loose on propane line to valve.

j-d wrote:
Like This One?



It's s 91602 and it's the replacement for this older one with a slide for temperature setting instead of the knob on 91602



I replaced old with new on the coach we sold 6 years ago. As I recall, the red button can't be pressed unless the blue mode knob on the top is in "PILOT" position. Holding Red down keeps the gas flowing until the pilot flame heats the thermocouple. Once the TC is hot, you can release Red and turn Blue to "ON."

These valves have a "One Time ECO" Energy Cut Off. If that copper probe (that controls the thermostat) gets overheated, like running dry, the ECO shuts the LPG off - Permanently. So be sure the WH is full of H2O before lighting the burner.

Yes that's the one except all the knobs are red on mine. I got the bottom sprayer part out and put it in some mineral spirits and then blew at the tube end and the sprayer squirted like a water pistol, so that part is ok.

I suspect no gas is getting in for some reason such as that ECO. (Hope there is a more simple reason.) If a former owner burnt that, would it mean replacing the entire Unitrol?

(Have to wait another week to get back to that job.)

Thanks everybody, so I now know what the procedure is. Mine still doesn't light even so. I will have to deal with that as a separate "issue".

I also can't get the furnace to light, but the stove top burners and the 1981 Dometic fridge will run on gas ok. Just have to keep at it or pay somebody to get it all going. Thanks again ! :)

Like This One?



It's s 91602 and it's the replacement for this older one with a slide for temperature setting instead of the knob on 91602



I replaced old with new on the coach we sold 6 years ago. As I recall, the red button can't be pressed unless the blue mode knob on the top is in "PILOT" position. Holding Red down keeps the gas flowing until the pilot flame heats the thermocouple. Once the TC is hot, you can release Red and turn Blue to "ON."

These valves have a "One Time ECO" Energy Cut Off. If that copper probe (that controls the thermostat) gets overheated, like running dry, the ECO shuts the LPG off - Permanently. So be sure the WH is full of H2O before lighting the burner.

BFL13 wrote:
Thanks! Got the red buttons /knobs sorted out now. It hasn't been used for a while, not lighting. Faint smell of gas with button pushed down. Do you pump the button or just wait forever to get some gas?

Just mash down button (it's not a pump) When ours would sit for a period of time, I used to mash button till my thumb began to hurt, maybe 1 min or longer sometimes. But that was after above directions first.

Thanks! Got the red buttons /knobs sorted out now. It hasn't been used for a while, not lighting. Faint smell of gas with button pushed down. Do you pump the button or just wait forever to get some gas?

FOR A ROBERTSHAW UNITROL
a. Turn lighting control dial to PILOT position.
b. Depress and hold reset push button while lighting pilot burner.
c. Allow pilot to burn thirty seconds before releasing reset push button.
d. If pilot does not remain lit, repeat operation allowing longer period before releasing reset push button.
e. Turn lighting control dial to ON position.
f. Set temperature control dial at mid-point position between
warm and hot