Atwood water heater

[Ricdigs55]

Question for you guys. Water heater light goes in when you turn switch on makes a little noise but stays on longer than 30 seconds.
Any ideas what the problem is. Circuit board maybe.
Thanks guys

[BFlinn181]

You didn't list model number, so I can't search for you, but service and troubleshooting manuals can be found online with a search. The symptoms sound like the control board is not sensing the flame is lit. In an older model, this could be a thermocouple. Most newer electronic ignition systems use metal probes that are in the flame. The carbon atoms in the flame complete the circuit and the control board keeps the gas valve on. Your problem could be the wire probes are dirty (wipe with a paper towel) or not in the flame, or a bad connection. I'd check and remove each connection, spray with contact clearner and reinsert each connector.

[Gary RVRoamer]

On all Atwoods since about 2004, the light stays on if the burner fails to light, or at least if the control board doesn't detect that it lit. If you can see/hear that the burner lit, but then it goes out, that means the flame sensor failed to report that it was lit.

You can get an Atwood Water heater service manual for free at Service Documents and Manuals

[Ricdigs55]

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

On all Atwoods since about 2004, the light stays on if the burner fails to light, or at least if the control board doesn't detect that it lit. If you can see/hear that the burner lit, but then it goes out, that means the flame sensor failed to report that it was lit.

You can get an Atwood Water heater service manual for free at Service Documents and Manuals

Thanks for the information. I’ll I need to do is download these. Much appreciated

[Ricdigs55]

Thanks for the information. I’m at work but I think it’s a G6 model about 1994. I did find documents online. One quick question. Before I spend money repairing a 25 year old water heater what is your opinion on one of those instant water heaters. Been looking and a replacement one is over $500. That’s for one that is made to fit in same hole as original water heater. Any other one that will work trying to save as much money as possible. Thanks for your time.
Rick

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by Ricdigs55

Thanks for the information. I’m at work but I think it’s a G6 model about 1994. I did find documents online. One quick question. Before I spend money repairing a 25 year old water heater what is your opinion on one of those instant water heaters. Been looking and a replacement one is over $500. That’s for one that is made to fit in same hole as original water heater. Any other one that will work trying to save as much money as possible. Thanks for your time.
Rick

A couple of years ago my home water heater died after 30 years. I looked into the instant WH and decided they weren't reliable enough and required more service than the old tank heaters. I've seen the same issues with RV instant WH. Use the search box with the Google logo to find other threads about the instant water heaters.

A NEW Suburban or Atwood 6 gallon WH is less than $300. The instant water heaters are more costly and usually won't fit in the space of the tank water heaters. Removing and installing a WH isn't difficult, especially if just changing out a new for an old.