Turning Hot Water Heater On (Gas)

[LynnandCarol]

When we turn our hot water heater on w/Propane), it sounds like a small explosion out there. What could be causing this??

[drsteve]

bpounds wrote:
A whumpf is normal. An explosion is not.

What he said. Something is delaying ignition, probably debris or a bug nest/web/corpse. Inspection and a good cleaning should take care of it.

[bpounds]

A whumpf is normal. An explosion is not.

[CavemanCharlie]

Is there someway you could have a friend turn it on while you stand outside the camper recording a video of it. Then post the video somewhere that we can all watch and listen ?

It's hard to diagnose Explosion because we all have a different idea of what that means.

[trail-explorer]

LynnandCarol wrote:
When we turn our hot water heater on w/Propane), it sounds like a small explosion out there. What could be causing this??

That's a normal sound when the propane ignites.

[Beentherefixedt]

There are alot of suggestions here and predictions but they seem premature to me.

This all depends on what you mean by "Explosion". It is also important to understand the magnitude of what you are describing. This is all very difficult to judge on this type of communication.

A audible "Whump" is a normal part of the water heater starting up.

The term "Explosion" leads one to believe there is a problem where in fact there may be none.

I suggest you do this: Have the most mechanically inclined of your group, family etc go out side and open the HWH panel. Then have someone inside the unit turn it on. Identify the burner tube and electronic igniter location...this is pretty obvious.

Watch and listen as the unit is turned on. You will hear that "Whump" and you should see the flame at the end of the tube come on. There should not be a big "Flash" of gas igniting but a small and contained ignition. If that is what you see then things are very likely just fine.

My own HWH makes quite a sound when it comes on but actually watching the ignition shows that all is fine.

So before you jump to cleaning burners or getting anxious about a problem that may not exist try my suggestion.

You MAY find some good advice on you tube, but I have also seen some pretty dodgy self appointed experts screwing things up too. So look at several before you judge them to be a solution or the correct way to do something.

[naturist]

DutchmenSport wrote:
it turned out to be bugs in the orifice tube. I simply cupped my hand behind the hole in front from behind, and blew real hard. A couple of those dang stink bugs blew out the other end. And that took care of the problem.

Similar experience here. Fired up the water heater to a horrible racket and roar. Went outside and to my horror there was black sooty smoke billowing out of the water heater grill on the side of the camper. Turned out to be a bunch of stink bugs in the burner tube, and cleaning them out solved the problem.

[SidecarFlip]

time2roll wrote:
Need to clean the burner.

+1. Need to clean the whole system.

[Lwiddis]

Just needs cleaning.

[midnightsadie]

you can u tube this or if your not handy? call a friend or a mobile tech .its not hard to do just need to put things back right. mobile tech faster cheaper than a dealer ,and they come to you. if your in a CG ,ask the manager if he knows some one.

[time2roll]

Need to clean the burner.

[Old-Biscuit]

Spark Igniter SHOULD be firing (Click, Click, Click) BEFORE gas flows to end of burner tube

A spider web is enough to disrupt the gas flow and proper mixing with air

Just needs a routine clean up....burner tube and set spark electrode gap (1/8")


What is the BRAND/MODEL of your water heater?
Atwood has a 'air shutter'----Suburban doesn't

[DutchmenSport]

We got the new 5er in September and for the first 4 weeks had on-going problems with the water heater on gas. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it did not. Sometimes it would explode and still not light.

After what seemed like a long journey with it, it turned out to be bugs in the orifice tube. I simply cupped my hand behind the hole in front from behind, and blew real hard. A couple of those dang stink bugs blew out the other end. And that took care of the problem.

Now, if you are talking about that sudden "poof" that happens with it first ignites, that's pretty common. Gas will build a second and then the spark with hit, causing an immediate "poof" sound. However, it's its an explosion sound, well, it's building up with gas before the spark or fire hits it, causing it to literally explode. More than likely, something is blocking that orifice tube. Try blowing it out. It's the first easy step that costs nothing. If that does not work, we'll go to step 2.

[bpounds]

Slow/difficult ignition. Gas is building up a bit before the igniter can light it off. Possibly a dirty orifice or dirty igniter. Possibly the oxygen baffle needs adjustment. Possibly the igniter gap needs adjustment.