Comments on: LP Appliances- pilot type water heaters

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 11:54:00 +0000

Hi Keith,
It sounds like the burner tube might have an obstruction- it doesn’t take much, even a single thread of a spider web will keep the propane from flowing fast enough to draw in air.
I would run a brush through the tube.

By: keith

keith — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:33:10 +0000

I have a water heater that has a spark that ignites when it needs to heat water Recently the gas won’t ignite and then all of a sudden it lights the gas and a flame comes out the side of the water heater vent. Is this an ignition problem or a gas problem.

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:35:31 +0000

Hi Curt,
I would start by testing continuity of the 2 gas valve coils (actually, I would start by checking the connections at the gas valve). It sounds like one of the 2 coils may have burned out or be bad.
Next I would check the orifice- which can be tricky on a Suburban, as they have changed the design a few times, and one version has a stamped aluminum orifice which can easily fall out- not a good thing!

By: Curt L.

Curt L. — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 00:16:08 +0000

We have a Suburban Mod# SW6ED and when I releaved the TH the red reset light on the controller came on and would not go off. Check everything, propane (ok), ignitor (sparking) but no gas to fire up. Could not smell any propane and main burner would not light.
We do have stove burners working so we know the propane is moving, and we have read all the books but no help—Can YOU?

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:37:38 +0000

Hi Daren,
If you look at the first picture in the article (after my picture ) (click on it for a larger version), where I have the pilot assembly labeled is where you light it- turn the knob to pilot and hold it, hold a lighter (a long necked butane grill lighter is almost mandatory, though I’ve used kitchen matches in a far past).
Hold the knob for at least 15 seconds after the pilot flame lights (I usually hold it for 30 seconds), then it should stay on- turn the knob to “ON”, adjust the temperature to where you want it via the lever on the top of the valve, and you should be set.
Do be aware that if it has not been run in a long time, it will take a looooong time to get the air out of the LP lines.
–Chris

By: Daren

Daren — Mon, 26 May 2008 23:40:14 +0000

Hi,

I have the Atwood hotwater heater that you mention in your post. It is the G6 A-7. I just bought the trailer used and am not sure how to light the pilot light for the hotwater heater. Can you point me in the right direction? I’ve looked at the instructions, but unfortunately nothing is detailed enough to show where to insert flame : - )

Thanks for any help you can give!

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:21:00 +0000

Hi John,
We have an Atwood water heater and it worked fine for the past 8 years (I think it was manufactured in 99). At the end of last summer the pilot light would light fine, the burner would ignite and then after approx. 10 minutes we would hear a click and a poof and both the burner and the pilot would blow out…any suggestions???

By: Vicki

Vicki — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:18:08 +0000

Does anyone know where I can purchase a used Suburban Water Heater?

Thanks

By: Chris Bryant

Chris Bryant — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 12:14:06 +0000

Hi John,
The only LP fired gas water heater that is certified for RV use that I know if is the Precision Temp RV500- a very good unique product.
The main issue is that it fits in the cutout for a 10 gallon model, larger than the 6 gallon you have by a couple of inches height and width.
I have a couple of customer who have this model, and they all rave about how well it works.

By: John Butler

John Butler — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:09:39 +0000

I have a standard 10 year old Suburban 6 Gal water heater. Is there a gas instant hot water heater that I can replace mine with?