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rvnewb · 07-22-2013, 02:24 PM

Hello again everyone,
I'm having issues with my water heater. I believe it is ALL propane. When I turn it on by the panel, the electric ignitor is working but there is NO propane flowing through the regulator for the ignitor to set off. Any information on this would be great. The water heater is in my 1985 Itasca Windcruiser, I'm pretty sure it is the original one. There IS water in there, I checked by opening the relief valve. Thanks again guys and gals.

Gocoffeer · 07-22-2013, 02:38 PM

Spark from the igniter is a good sign....but it does not tell you if the coils in the gas valve are good ....yet to be determined. This is OHMMETER time.

RV Atwood Water Heater Servicing & Repair with Terry Cooper - YouTube

Here is a video to assist with the tests you might perform.

jasright · 09-17-2013, 05:47 PM

I don't know what kind of water heater you have but if it's not tankless this would be a perfect time to switch. It givesyou unlimited hot water uses less gas and is the size of a medicine cabinet. I had my takagi for five years before I sold my house. Best $600. I spent on my s&b house.

wa8yxm · 09-18-2013, 05:44 AM

There are several things that must be present or properly set before propane can flow, IN linier order.

You must have propane to flow, if the tank is dry.....

The valve must be open

Some RV's have an electric valve in the main propane line, it's powered by the explosive Gas (Propane) detector inside near the floor, if it's off, no propane flows.

The tank has an excess flow valve. Sometimes if you quickly open the valve, it will close,, However it should re-open if you sit without drawing propane for several hours (or turn off the valve wait 5 minutes and open it SLOWLY).

The solenoid valve on the water heater must work (Bad valve, bad control, bad wire, no 12 volt to solenoid).

And .. the last item.. There is a spider that loves to nest in the burner orifce, also other debris in said small hole in the brass, can block the flow of propane.

BA-in-Mich · 09-18-2013, 05:45 PM

Check to see if 12 volts is going to the gas valve. If there is 12 volts now is the time to pull the 12 volt wires and check the resistance of the coils. On mine it had 12 volts but not passing gas ( Ha HA ) I found one of the coils open. The resistance of the coils on mine were around 85 ohms. I rewound the coil with the same size magnet wire and it fixed the problem. It was a lot cheaper than the $120 for a new valve.