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Need Help - Again ! one propane question and one lighting question

May 27, 2011, 05:46:27 pm

Hi All  - Having an issue with the Atwood 10 Gal. gas / electric water heater in my 1995 U300. LP Burner lights fine and burns quietly until I close the compartment door - about 30 -45 seconds after closing the door the burner starts to produce a loud tearing & roaring sound. This reverts back to normal quiet running as soon as the compartment door is raised. Have played with the air shutter settings and checked LP pressure - was 9.5"WC and I increased to 10"WC but no change. Has to be come kind of air flow change with the door down but I can't figure out what it is so far.

Item 2  - Went to change the bulb in the forward, Tour Directors side docking lamp. Need to know the secret to removing the bulb from it's flexible housing (I already have the split ring off ).

Thanks to all - as usual 

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Re: Need Help - Again ! one propane question and one lighting question

Reply #1 – May 27, 2011, 10:57:59 pm

Can't help, but can commiserate.  I have the same problem with the water heater.  Works great with the door open, dies shortly after closing it.  I tried opening the air flow by trimming out part of the tin work, helped some, sometimes it will go for awhile, but usually not.

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Reply #2 – May 28, 2011, 12:58:30 am

Long shot, but have you blown the burner tube out with compressed air?  I do this periodically (especially after running on AC heating for a long time) and sometimes find incinerated spider webs, leaves, dust, etc. in there.

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Reply #3 – May 28, 2011, 08:10:01 am

Hi Dave,  I've inspected what I can see of the burner tube but haven't tried the compressed air yet.

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Reply #4 – May 28, 2011, 09:31:29 am

We have had same louder and flame changed color when door is closed over hot water tank. Found it needed more air and adjusted door so bottom and edges were more open when latched, and removed round inspection window. The cause may also be the exhaust is bleeding back to burner. We also lived with louder burner when heating. We now mostly heat with an electric probe, so propane sound is not as prevalent.

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Reply #5 – May 28, 2011, 09:34:04 am

I have never noticed a change in the sound with the door open or closed.  Mine has always made a lot of noise unless the air shutter is almost closed, but then the blue flame turns reddish which is not good, less heat and carbon deposits inside and outside on the vent grill.

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Reply #6 – May 28, 2011, 09:37:53 am

Since the noise is caused by a change in fuel to air ratio, and it doesn't make noise with the door open, try adjusting the air slide tube on the burner such that it is "correct" when the door is shut since that is how it is used most of the time.

Cleaning the burner tube is a good idea, but you already know that the fuel to air ratio is fine with the door open.  But, DO clean it before making the adjustment.

Brett

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Reply #7 – May 28, 2011, 10:14:29 pm

Another outside chance-how about a mud insect like a hornet or yellowjacket has partially blocked the tube? Might be hard to blow out without taking it off. Perhaps a wire or welding rod.

Pierce & Gaylie

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Reply #8 – May 28, 2011, 10:20:53 pm

Have tried all suggestions - most produced slight improvement however nothing has cured the loud burner sounds when the compartment door is closed.  Works fine just noisy 

Docking lamp is encased in a rubber like flexible housing. Sprayed it with silicone and pried the old bulb out with a screwdriver.  Sound simpler than it really was 

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Reply #9 – May 29, 2011, 09:05:29 am

I also had a pretty loud water heater burner but if functioned OK. However, yesterday a closed down the air shutter and now it runs quietly with a blue flame when the door is just. I would have thought that opening the air shutter would have helped but that just made it worse. FWIW

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