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inop water heater

October 18, 2012, 06:07:17 pm

I'm at Canton, TX for FT rally.  WH does not operate.  Before I start tearing tyhings apart I need some info, Is there a reset at back of WH ?
The switch at the bed does not light up, can it be that switch is faulty ?
Thanks,  Gary B

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Re: inop water heater

Reply #1 – October 18, 2012, 06:19:56 pm

Gary,
Is it the 120VAC heating element or the Propane that's not working?

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Re: inop water heater

Reply #2 – October 18, 2012, 06:25:27 pm

Gary,
Yes, it sure could be the bed switch - I would start there.
On the original vintage water heaters the 120VAC system is completely in the back of the heater - including the reset button.  It is just like a residential electric water heater.
A failure in the 120VAC part should not affect the propane burner from operating.
Newer water heaters have a combined systems where the 120VAC is controlled via relay that the circuit board turns on and off.  I ran across this when I replaced my original water heater in 2005.  If your board goes bad neither propane or 120VAC will work.

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Re: inop water heater

Reply #3 – October 18, 2012, 06:42:04 pm

Gary, there is a small fuse that is the most typical problem but I only have experience with propane side since ours does not have an electrical element. The fuse looks like a solid wire with a diode in the middle and two spade connectors one on each end. It is put in the middle of the brown hot wire. The brown wire is the 12V hot wire coming into the lilmit switch to the circuit board from the MH so see if the brown wire is hot going into the board. If not that $7.00 fuse may be blown.

It is easy to make a jumper to get things working if that fuse is blown. 

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Re: inop water heater

Reply #4 – October 18, 2012, 09:14:55 pm

Gary, if you would like some help on site check with me tomorrow and I'll have a look at it with you. I found the reset button on the back of my water heater for the 120VAC and reset it one time. I have also dealt with failing sensors for the propane side.

If the switch doesn't light, I would guess it might be a 120V circuit break rather than something in the water heater.

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Re: inop water heater

Reply #5 – October 18, 2012, 09:19:58 pm

Ok, JD we will look at it tomorrow. This is the first time I have had a problem.  Propane works OK, just 120 AC I suspect.
Gary B

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Re: inop water heater

Reply #6 – October 19, 2012, 10:51:13 am

circuit breaker in the breaker panel, not on the heater.

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Re: inop water heater

Reply #7 – October 19, 2012, 06:34:35 pm

The problem was the power pedestal. A park employee fixed the pedestal today.

I visited with Gary this morning. The source of the problem registered with him at 3:00 a.m. Fortunately, he did not call me immediately after his "Ahah!" moment.

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