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Topic: Water heater problem (Read 404 times) previous topic - next topic

Water heater problem

My new Atwood heater has failed after 6 months. Yesterday it fired up and run fine for 10 minutes before the flame went yellow. Checked the thermo brake today and it checked out bad. Replaced flipped the switch and all I got was yellow flame. Cleaned orfice tube and then all I got was the 3x trying to light. The furnace and stove work fine.
So where do I go next, control board? Gas valve?
Atwood is not doing anything to help.
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: Water heater problem

Reply #1 –






the first thing to check is gas pressure at the water heater and then check if it is getting enough air as it sounds like it is running to rich which will give a yellow flame
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Water heater problem

Reply #2 –
It was running perfect then it went to yellow flame, breaking the thermo connector and now fails to light
Changed the thermo connector, cleaned tube, orfice, and now nothing.
How do check the board?
John
1998 U270 34'

Re: Water heater problem

Reply #3 –
As Ron said, first thing to check is gas pressure.  The stove is not always a good indication of pressure, as most further reduce pressure below the 11 column inches that your propane regulator next to the propane tank should be maintaining.

Also, if the gas valve on the tank was recently turned off (like for filling or storage), close it all the way and SLOWLY open it.  That should reset it if the excess flow preventer is giving a problem.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
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