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Old 05-27-2018, 09:02 AM   #1
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Hot water heater

Hi. We own a 2016 Coachman Pursuit, 30’ motor home. Our hot water tank works fine when on electric power but when when we turn on gas a fault light shows up on the control panel and the heater will not ignite. Checked the fuse, pressed what we believe is the reset button and even tried to light the pilot light, which did ignite but only for 15 seconds. Any ideas? Thanks for your time and thoughts.
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:16 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PVRMEXICO View Post
Hi. We own a 2016 Coachman Pursuit, 30’ motor home. Our hot water tank works fine when on electric power but when when we turn on gas a fault light shows up on the control panel and the heater will not ignite. Checked the fuse, pressed what we believe is the reset button and even tried to light the pilot light, which did ignite but only for 15 seconds. Any ideas? Thanks for your time and thoughts.
When operating on gas, the heater control board will shut off the gas to the burner if no flame is sensed. When first turned on, gas is released by the solenoid valve into the burner orifice and is ignited by the electronic spark. The heat of the flame is detected by an electronic probe which "informs" the control board that the flame is present and the gas solenoid valve remains open. If, for some reason, the probe does not detect a flame, the gas valve automatically shuts off.


In your case, the probe may be faulty or the module on the control board may be faulty, or the electronic igniter may be bad. Open the heater cover and observe what happens when someone starts the heater. You should hear a "ticking" sound from the igniter, a "click" from the gas valve, and then the sound/sight of the flame in the burner. If all of that happens and the flame then shuts off, either the probe or the control board are likely the problem. I believe, in some heaters, the flame sensor probe is also part of the igniter.
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:23 AM   #3
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The probe is also referred to as a thermocouple.
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Old 05-27-2018, 09:52 AM   #4
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Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Larry gave you good advice!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!
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Old 05-27-2018, 10:02 AM   #5
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The igniter is also the flame sense thermocouple, so there is no separate "probe".


Your symptoms indicate that the flame is not being sensed and therefore the control board shuts off the gas valve to make sure there will be no explosion.


BTW, there is no pilot light on your heater - it is a DSI (Direct Spark Ignition) type that lights the gas flame on demand.
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Old 05-27-2018, 10:21 AM   #6
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How long since it's run.....maybe propane not there yet.....If you've got a propane fired stove, run it first to help bleed air in line out, and while stove is running, re-try the water heater, and watch what the stove burner flame is doing....will turn to a yellow flame if regulator is failing......then there won't be enough propane present
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Old 05-27-2018, 12:13 PM   #7
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A 2016 combo (electric/propane) water heater does NOT have a pilot.....main flame only nor does it use a 'thermocouple'


It uses Direct Spark Ignition (DSI) which is a spark electrode that receives a High Voltage charge (~2000V) to create a hot spark to ignite the propane
When the propane lights off a milliamp signal is generated via flame ionization/rectification.
This milliamp signal then returns back to the circuit board via the spark electrode & high tension wire to 'prove' main flame lit.
W/O this milliamp signal the circuit board shuts down the DC to gas valve solenoid so raw unburnt fuel does not accumulate in combustion chamber.


Doesn't take much to stop milliamp signal from returning
Dirty tip of spark electrode....clean with emery cloth
Position of spark electrode....should be engulfed in main flame/tip turn red
High Tension wire connections.....clean & tight
Ceramic Insulator......no cracks. Clean/wipe it down with a rag sprayed with silicone
Spark electrode assembly mounting screw...provides ground source for electrode. Needs to be clean/tight connection




It appears you have an Atwood WH.

No 'reset' other then turning ON/OFF switch OFF...wait 30 seconds then back ON IF/When you get the RED Fault Light



RED Fault Light triggered by:
*Propane Flame NOT proving it lit
OR

**ECO Opening (Energy Cut Out/High Temp T-stat) either on electric/propane
(water has to get to 180*F for ECO to Open)
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Old 05-27-2018, 07:57 PM   #8
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Welcome to the forum!

I'm sorry that it took a problem to get you here and we hope that you will stay engaged after you have a resolution.

If the thermocouple has continuity from the tip o the control board, then most likely it will be the control board. Somebody that does electronics can test out the board for you.
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Old 05-27-2018, 08:21 PM   #9
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The OP says he lit the pilot light, the rest of you say he doesn't have a pilot light. ? Do you have any gas in the tank? If you're out of gas, you might get a little gas to ignite for a few seconds, then go out.
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