Do It Yourself Rv Repair No Water Going Into Water Tank

RV Water Heater Troubleshooting & How To Set It

RV h2o heater troubleshooting is relatively simple if yous understand the basic functioning of the unit. While a book would exist required to encompass everything that can get wrong with an RV water heater, this entry will serve as a brief overview of h2o heater functioning and the most mutual and easily solved bug.

After all, camping without hot water is not whatever fun. By knowing the nuts of RV water heaters in advance, you might only save yourself the headache of breaking camp and heading to an RV repair facility.

"It's definitely not impossible to live without warm h2o, simply information technology tin can sure be inconvenient if y'all haven't planned for it. Well-nigh people would probably concord that stepping into a cold shower is definitely i way to wake up on the wrong side of the bed, especially on those already chilly summer mornings."
Says Art at RV Care

Disclaimer: Working with propane and electricity can be unsafe. Have your RV to a service center if you are not familiar with safely working with these two energy sources.

Types of RV h2o heaters

This entry will focus on the most mutual types of water heaters institute in RVs, which incorporate a tank primarily heated by the burning of propane gas. Some will also contain an electric chemical element which can be used in place of propane or used in conjunction with propane to heat water faster.

Transmission Gas Valve: As the name suggests, the gas valve that controls the propane is manually activated. The valve is located on the exterior side of the RV and utilizes a continuing pilot light which has to exist lit from the exterior of the RV.
DSI (Direct Spark Ignition): This is the most common blazon of water heater in today's RVs. These models allow the user to flip a switch inside the RV to light the propane burner on the water heater. Click here for an caption on how DSI works.
Electrical: As noted above, RV h2o heaters can also exist equipped with a submerged electric chemical element that tin can be used to heat the water within the tank.

RV H2o Heater Troubleshooting

Before you lot can attempt to fix your RV water heater, you lot need to determine why it is not operating as designed.

Commencement by verifying the problem is not an issue with supply. Hither is what you will need to bank check:

Pressurized freshwater is reaching the inlet of the h2o heater. This is most easily tested past opening the pressure relief valve located near the peak of the water heater. If water comes out, it is not a supply problem. Use circumspection when opening the valve as scalding could occur if hot h2o is nowadays.
Propane: Make certain your propane cylinders are turned on and other appliances are operating correctly. Next, try to light the h2o heater and look or smell for any signs of propane coming through the gas valve. Finally, if yous are unsure whether you take propane coming to the h2o heater (with no nearby ignition sources nowadays) you tin can "scissure" open the gas line where it enters the gas valve to check for propane escaping the gas line by smell, sound, or using soapy h2o sprayed on the fitting. Secure the fitting when done and check for leaks using soapy water sprayed onto the fitting. Click hither to see what tin can happen if you get out a gas line open.
12 Volts DC (aka battery power): If you have a DSI water heater, you volition need to verify that a full 12 volts DC is reaching the water heater when the water heater switch is turned on inside the RV. A wiring schematic can be constitute in the water heater owner's transmission.
120 Volts Air conditioning (aka shore ability): If your water heater is equipped with an electric element, verify the switch(south) that controls the electric element is turned on and 120 volts is present by safely using a volt Ohm meter.

RV Water Heater Repairs

If you didn't find a supply issue using the above steps, here are the most common problems with RV water heaters and how to hopefully right them.

Manual Valve Water Heaters

Problem: Pilot won't stay lit

A) Make sure the thermocouple is free of soot, centered in the flame of the airplane pilot lite, and is screwed in tightly to the command valve.

B) Remove and clean the airplane pilot burner, pilot orifice, and tube.Notation: Merely clean an orifice with compressed air as drill bits and other abrasive items can enlarge the opening.

Click hither to learn how to test a thermocouple using a volt Ohm meter.

If the above two steps practise non right the problem, you likely accept a bad thermocouple or control valve. Gas valves are not serviceable. Repair should never be attempted.

Problem: Pilot stays on, simply primary burner won't calorie-free

A) Make sure the valve is turned to the "On" position.

B) Check for obstructions in the orifice – clean if needed.

C) Pilot is on, but no gas flows from the valve when turned to the "On" position. Valve near likely needs replacing.

DSI water heaters

Problem: Won't ignite (Nothing happens when the switch is turned on inside the RV)

Bank check to make sure 12 volts is reaching the control lath. Voltage can be interrupted by the thermostat or high limit switch which has a reset button.

A) When 12 volts reaches the board (assuming the lath is properly grounded), three things should happen:

1) The board will begin discharging high voltage to the igniter.

ii) The board will transport 12 volts to the gas valve.

3) The board will sense if a flame is present and if so, continue sending 12 volts to the gas valve. If no flame is sensed, the lath will shut power off to the gas valve.

If items 1 and / or 2 practice not occur, check the fuse in the board, if so equipped. If the fuse is good, the lath is near likely defective and needs replacing. Most RV service centers have a excursion board tester that tin bank check all three functions of the board.

Problem: Sparks appear at the igniter, but won't ignite

A) No gas from valve – verify 12 volts is reaching the valve and it is grounded. If 12 volts is nowadays, effort lightly borer the valve as information technology may be stuck, otherwise the valve well-nigh likely needs replacing.

B) Valve opens, just no gas to burner. Check for obstructions in the orifice.

Problem: Ignites, but won't stay burning

A) Check the wiring connections for the igniter as the point that a flame is nowadays may not be making it back to the board.

B) Make sure the igniter is centered and can "sense" the flame. Conform if needed.

C) Clean soot or corrosion off the igniter.

Both transmission and DSI water heaters

Trouble: Primary burner "roars" excessively, causes soot around the exhaust port, or has a yellow flame

A) Brand sure burner tube is free of obstructions like spider webs, wasp nests, etc. Clean as needed.

B) Air / gas mixture is wrong. Adjust the air following the manufacturer'due south instructions until the flame is blue in color.

Electric Element

Problem: At that place is no hot water when operating the water heater solely on electric

A) Check to make sure 120 volts Air-conditioning is reaching the element. Voltage can be interrupted past the thermostat or loftier limit switch which has a reset button.

B) With the power close off and the wires disconnected from the element, check the element for resistance using a volt Ohm meter. The correct resistance can be constitute in the owner's manual. If no resistance is present, the chemical element is bad and needs replacing.

Note: Brand certain there is water in the water heater tank when operating on electric, every bit an un-submerged electrical chemical element will quickly burn up.

Here is a helpful video outlining the different components of RV water heaters, what they do, where they are located along with maintenance, and some boosted RV h2o heater troubleshooting tips.

RV h2o heater trouble shooting can be hands and quickly performed with a little knowledge and basic tools. Hopefully the information yous have learned will help yous be more than prepared.

Track your RV maintenance

Exist sure to keep track of all your RV maintenance with an online tool such as Maintain My RV. Not only can you keep all your maintenance records and documents in one place, you'll receive timely reminders via email when maintenance is due and potentially avert a plush repair or serious accident.

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