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Topic: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem (Read 825 times) previous topic - next topic

Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

We have what I believe is a gas only hot water heater as I can not find any switch for 110 AC operation.  In the past week or so on two occasions  I noticed both the red & green lights on at the switch by the kitchen sink.  Both times I turned the switch off and then back on again and red light would flash then go out and all was fine.  I chalked the condition up to the strong wind we have been getting in the afternoon.

Yesterday we were filling the fresh water tank and got distracted and the tank overfilled.  A while later while doing dishes I noticed that the water was not very hot.  The green light was on at the switch like normal.  I tried turning the switch off and back on again but the red light did not flash like it normally does.  We checked the hot water bay and there was a little water in the bottom.  It is all dry in there today.  Any help or suggestions would be welcome.

Not sure if these two are related or a coincidence - any ideas?  Can this be manually lit until we can repair?
Christi & Ray Stoltz
1993 U280 40'

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #1 –
First, try to remove as much of the standing water as you can from that bay.  Pay close attention to the seam at the bulkheads.  I think you realize the issue here.

Then, make sure the voltage at the batteries is normal for your situation (shore power, boondocking?).  If you have not performed the maintenance of the burner/ignition, then do so at this time.  Others will advice of some other trouble shooting procedures.
Peter
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #2 –
You asked if you could manually lite the water heater.  The units only have electric lighting of the burner, not provision for pilot light and manual lighting of the pilot.  When I first bought my coach with an Atwood heater the starter sequence was not always consistent and I replaced the two sensors.  Cheap part, plug and play, worked since then.  I was noticing that both lights were on, but we did not get hot water.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #3 –
Christi and Ray, Water near WH may be from pressure relief valve, see if slight amount of water in throat of valve, two possibilities, WH too hot and it popped off or loss of air pocket in WH allowing water to expand. With pump off, drain water off WH by opening relief valve then restat pump.
Also check overflow tube, that is where my leak is.
Red light should show only when WH has failed to light.
Good luck
Gary B

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #4 –
Check the water heater model #. If it ends with an "E" I think it has an electric element.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Christis Dream –
We have what I believe is a gas only hot water heater as I can not find any switch for 110 AC operation.  In the past week or so on two occasions  I noticed both the red & green lights on at the switch by the kitchen sink.  Both times I turned the switch off and then back on again and red light would flash then go out and all was fine.  I chalked the condition up to the strong wind we have been getting in the afternoon.

Yesterday we were filling the fresh water tank and got distracted and the tank overfilled.  A while later while doing dishes I noticed that the water was not very hot.  The green light was on at the switch like normal.  I tried turning the switch off and back on again but the red light did not flash like it normally does.  We checked the hot water bay and there was a little water in the bottom.  It is all dry in there today.  Any help or suggestions would be welcome.

Not sure if these two are related or a coincidence - any ideas?  Can this be manually lit until we can repair?
Ray - I have a 95 U300 and the electric water heater switch is located on the front kick panel of the bed - slightly left of center. It should be labeled.
Jon Harris
1995 U300 Unihome
Cat 3176
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Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #6 –
Our water heater is three-way, propane, 120VAC, engine heat. For the 120VAC portion to operate, you must have generator or shore power available, the switch at the foot of the bed must be on, and there is a switch on the back of the water heater that must be turned on. Also, there is a circuit breaker on the back of the water heater that must be properly engaged. I had to reset it once. The location of the switch on the back of the water heater and the associated breaker are in an obscure location. Access is from the "big" bay through a hole in the back wall that allows access to the back of the water heater.

Your installation is likely to be different. However, some of the information here might be applicable.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #7 –
I have a suggestion for the red/green panel light problem.  There's a multi-wire connector that attaches to the edge of the circuit board (just to the right of the pressure relief valve).  Being exposed to the elements this connector is known to develop contact corrosion.  You can usually just pull it off and on several times and the contacts will be restored.  It's adviseable to apply some dielectric grease to the contacts to prevent this type of problem in the future.  This is just something that you can check in two minutes without tools.  I would turn the switch OFF before doing this. 

The next thing I would check is the panel toggle switch - they can wear out and the water heater switch usually gets used quite a bit.  With the switch ON, check to see if there is any 12 volts going to the board.  If so, panel switch is good.
After that, check the thermostat, the ECO and the rest of the wiring loop that these are in for corroded contacts or an "open" in any of the foremention devices.
Good luck 
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #8 –
I hope everyone had a great 4th!  Since it was a holiday we decided to enjoy the day and deal with this issue today when the parts store will open.  Thanks for all of the suggestions - we will be trying them today.  I will let you all know how we progress. 
Christi & Ray Stoltz
1993 U280 40'

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #9 –
So we chased the electrical and turns out the circuit board was bad - we replaced it and the thermal cut off - works great now!  Thanks for all the suggestions.
Christi & Ray Stoltz
1993 U280 40'

Re: Atwood Hot Water Heater Problem

Reply #10 –
Can I have the old circuit board?
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
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1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
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