Water Heater - Basics

[pbody]

Hey all! Newbie here...I have a new-to-me travel trailer with the Suburban SW6D (propane only) water heater. It will start up, but the burner will only stay lit for about 10 minutes, then it won't relight for some extended period of time. I did some research, and know what I need to do to troubleshoot, I think it's the circuit board which does not look easy to get to. If anyone has any tips, all all ears.

But my question to make sure I understand how the water heater works....once it's lit, will the burner remain lit full blow until I turn the switch off? Or does the burner turn down some once the water gets to a certain temperature?

For the ten minutes it's working, I'll get blasts of warm/hot water at the faucet, but nothing to take a warm shower with.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Sorry I can't help but I'm sure someone will be along shortly! Have fun and keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[theluckyones]

Hi everyone! We have a 1982 Fleetwood Regal Prowler travel trailer. My girlfriend and I travel a lot but are living in it a majority of the time, making it our main household until our permanent long term house is complete. My question is this:

We had returned from a week long trip, before we left I turned off the water and propane as we always do. But upon our return, after turning on the water, the pilot light for the water heater, etc.

The next morning my girlfriend noticed the valve above the temp control on our water heater was pouring water out. It has caused water to leak into our trailer, on and around the new floors we just installed, and pretty much everywhere.

What are the potential causes of these symptoms? As we do use this as our home, any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[wildtoad]

To the OP. Under normal conditions, the burner will only operate while its heating the water and once it reaches the set temp it will cut off. Double check water is actually in the tank. Check to make sure it’s not in bypass mode which is used for winterizing. If you run it with no water it won’t run long and you could damage the heater.

[Old-Biscuit]

pbody......
Suburban SW6D is a 6 gallon 'Direct Spark Ignition' model
Has a 12V DC set of t-stats to control heating cycles (under the Push To Reset cover above gas valve---left button is to reset the High temp t-stat)
Turn On/Off Switch ON......should get Red light that goes Out when main flame lights off. Circuit board sends high voltage spark to electrode that lights flame.
If Red light stays ON---or comes back ON---flame did not light/stay lit and prove it lit off so circuit board shuts down DC to gas valve as 'safety' feature (no raw gas build up)


T-stat Opens at 130*F to shut down heating cycle....closes at 100*F when water cools off and then will call for heat (spark electrode lights off main flame again)
Repeat heating cycles until switch is turned Off
High temp t-stat Opens at 170*F to shut all heating down, locks out circuit board and triggers Red Fault light. Manual reset on cover when water temp cools down to 140*F


Flame proving is done via spark electrode so it MUST be engulfed in main flame, have clean/tight wire connection and ground (spark assembly mounting screw provides ground source)


Circuit board should be mounted on wall/cabinet close to backside of water heater.


Here is a DC wiring diagram for your model





And here is a Service Manual that includes your model
http://waterheatertimer.org/pdf/Subu...ice_Manual.pdf

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by theluckyones

Hi everyone! We have a 1982 Fleetwood Regal Prowler travel trailer. My girlfriend and I travel a lot but are living in it a majority of the time, making it our main household until our permanent long term house is complete. My question is this:

We had returned from a week long trip, before we left I turned off the water and propane as we always do. But upon our return, after turning on the water, the pilot light for the water heater, etc.

The next morning my girlfriend noticed the valve above the temp control on our water heater was pouring water out. It has caused water to leak into our trailer, on and around the new floors we just installed, and pretty much everywhere.

What are the potential causes of these symptoms? As we do use this as our home, any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Howdy and Welcome!
You should contact Moderator and have them move your post to your OWN thread so responses will be for your issue rather then the OP (original poster)
Need to include BRAND/Model in YOUR new post for best responses.