Water Heater

[GKT]

Hi - new 2019 21C owner needing help. I have only had the trailer for a month and have the electric and propane modes on for the water heater..which I was advised to do. My recent camping neighbour (former 17 owner) mentioned that my igniter, kept trying to fire, would work for a few seconds and then turn off. He suggested that I just run it on electric (hooked to shore power). I have watched the ETI video and read the manuals. Looking for advice..do I have a problem?

[Bill and Earline]

Start with the basics. Did the propane side of the water heater ever work for you?

Does the cooktop light up with adequate propane? Are you running the fridge on propane?

Check to see if both propane bottles are turned on, in case the regulator/selector selects the closed tank. Did you turn on the propane bottle/s slowly, so the auto shut-off isn't in play?

Open the water heater exterior hatch. Have someone push the indoor water heater propane lighter button while you're outside at the hatch listening, and then report in.

The pro's on this forum'll get you going.

[GKT]

Thanks for your response.
I don’t know if the propane side ever worked..the trailer was only used 4 nights before I bought it. I had it serviced and dewinterized August 25, at an excellent rv centre. The cooktop and oven are fine..the fridge is on electric..setting is a AUTO and AC. Only the right side tank (as you look at it) is on. I didn’t turn the propane on..it was on that side when I got it from the service.
As for the exterior hatch solution, I will do that when I get another person to help me.

[salmo7000]

The water heater on my 2018 19 has been glitchy since it was new. I do not have the 2-way model, so I’m dependent on it working on propane. It would light, sometimes stay lit for a minute or 2, sometimes only a few seconds, but then go out. I have no idea what the problem is, but I have solved it by simply opening the exterior panel before I push the button. It almost always lights and stays lit on the first attempt, rarely I have to make a second attempt, but it always stays lit after that.

Then I simply close the panel. I may indeed have a problem with mine, but for now this routine works.

There is an older thread on this topic, which is where I got the idea to open the panel. There is a lot of other helpful information in that thread, do a search, it should be easy to find!

[P&L]

We had spider webs interferring with our system!

[GKT]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I will post again, when I have it figured out.

Thanks salmo 7000 - that seems to have worked.

Now do I keep both electric and propane running? It is dripping a lot more.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by GKT

Now do I keep both electric and propane running? It is dripping a lot more.

No reason to run both modes unless you are going to be using a lot of water and need a faster recovery. I’d pick electric if I was plugged in and obviously propane if not.

[GKT]

Thank you!

[GKT]

Thank you. I ran it just on electric overnight and the water was warm, but not hot like when on the dual modes.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by GKT

Thank you. I ran it just on electric overnight and the water was warm, but not hot like when on the dual modes.

There would seem to be something wrong. I rarely run my water heater on propane as I am usually plugged into the grid, and the water gets hot, not warm, and gets hot very quickly when it is turned on. Are you sure that the warm water wasn’t from residual heat when you were running on propane? Are both the circuit breaker and the switch on the water heater in the “on” position?

[GKT]

I know that the switch is on..all the fuses and circuit breakers seem fine. I will switch off the propane and try just the electric again. Maybe there was residual heat, so I will let the water run for a bit.
Thanks for the suggestions.

[padlin]

How long did you leave the electric heater on?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by C&G in FL

There would seem to be something wrong. I rarely run my water heater on propane as I am usually plugged into the grid, and the water gets hot, not warm, and gets hot very quickly when it is turned on. Are you sure that the warm water wasn’t from residual heat when you were running on propane? Are both the circuit breaker and the switch on the water heater in the “on” position?

Agreed. If everything is operating properly the water heater should maintain 130F +/- when on either propane, electric or both. Just like your house you may have to run the water for a bit to clear the line of the water that has cooled towards ambient.

[steve dunham]

The propane and electrical portion of your water heater uses the same fixed thermostat so the water temperature whether heated by propane or electric should be the same
On Electric it will take longer to reach set point then gas because the BTU imput is lower .
By running the water heater on gas and electric you have a higher recovery rate but the water will not get warmer than the thermostat set point

[GKT]

I never turned the electric off.

[Bill and Earline]

GKT,
My 2014 21' controls the electric element with a switch that is nearly impossible to see in the outside compartment.

Does yours have an indoor electric switch and an indoor propane switch?

Do either of these light up when pushed?

Bill

[GKT]

The electric switch is still in the outside compartment..the propane switch is inside the trailer. It appears to be working fine on electric only..I just have to let the water run a bit longer.

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my inquiry!

[McBride]

When using gas I have to open the outside door to get it to work right. Not enough air. Thinking of modifying the door

[Little Richie]

I assume it is a Suburban water heater. In any case, it should be under warrant. Call them. I have a 2017 TA 5.0. The gas heater broke on the first week out. In the end I took their information and replaced the circuit board with a Dinosaur Electronics board and it works fine.