Water heater not working if not on shore power

[Cindy Solo]

I spent about 10 weeks "dry camping" in National Forests this summer. Towards the end of my last stay, the water heater wouldn't kick on unless the generator was running. When I first noticed the water wasn't hot, I flipped the switch on and off and it fired up. But a couple days later, that didn't work.

I run the generator every day until it goes to "float." I also monitor the batteries throughout the day and they never dip below 12.8v.
Now that I'm plugged in to shore power, I've had no issues. Any words of wisdom or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[jacwjames]

What Make/model water heater. Is the water heater Gas & Electric.

If only electric it would only work on shore and/or generator.


If gas, when you flip the switch on, you should hear the ignitor clicking to light the gas. If it clicks check the flame.



Earlier this year mine would try to start, the burner would light but it would stay on. In the end I removed the control board, cleaned the contacts and blue it out with a air dryer as I noticed some moisture on it. Reinstalled and it's worked ever since.

[Keith55]

Start with simple. Is there a circuit breaker switch between the shore power and the water heater that wouldn't be between the generator and the water heater?

[shootist]

Is your propane tank filled and if you have other propane devices, stove, furnace, are they working? Next blow out the burner orfices, spiders and bugs love to plug them.

[Persistent]

There are lots of different systems that work lots of different ways. Supply make and model of water heater for better responses.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Cindy in CDA

I spent about 10 weeks "dry camping" in National Forests this summer. Towards the end of my last stay, the water heater wouldn't kick on unless the generator was running. When I first noticed the water wasn't hot, I flipped the switch on and off and it fired up. But a couple days later, that didn't work.

I run the generator every day until it goes to "float." I also monitor the batteries throughout the day and they never dip below 12.8v.
Now that I'm plugged in to shore power, I've had no issues. Any words of wisdom or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Well.......
Brand/Model would be helpfull

W.A.G (wild a$$ GUESS) would be:
Low DC Voltage to water heater
Fault occurred in lighting/proving flame lit



2002 Vintage......on those models (Atwood or Suburban)
Electric and Propane are separate circuits
*Propane needs 12VDC & good propane flow
*Electric needs 120VAC (no DC used for AC controls)

IF Water Heater is GAS ONLY
Low DC Voltage (WH functions when Generator is ON)
Turning switch off/back on resets circuit board lock-out from fault