Hot water heater sputtering on propane

[davidmurphy02]

Our hot water heater began sputtering on propane, flame didn't sound strong and steady, and it went out several times but reignited and did get the water hot for showers.

This seems similar to what my fridge did last year, cleaning the orifice fixed that. The orifice will be the first thing I check and clean...anything else I should check? About 5000 feet here so altitude shouldn't be an issue, and it's been fine all week until now.

All other gas appliances are happy. We've been dry camping in Arches for a week, moving to CO today and will have hookups so water heater will be on electric for a while. Bad weather the next few days, but I will need to look at it before we move over to Great Sand Dunes NP late next week.

It's been a terrific month in southern Utah, feeling great and have been able to do a good bit of hiking.

[salmo7000]

Glad to hear you're feeling good and enjoying camping!!

Not sure this will help or not, but the water heater on my 19 has been temperamental since it was new. All I do is open the outside panel before I turn it on, and it lights on the first attempt and stays lit. If the panel is closed, it does neither. This is a bit of a nuisance, but since it always works, that's what I do.

I also take pains to clean out the dust that accumulates and any insects that seek refuge there. I'm not sure that helps or not, but in 5 years of camping, I've had no trouble, except for having to open the panel.

Happy camping!!