attwood G6A-6E problems

[capt ken]

Recently bought 32 excella thats been sitting for a few years. Water heater won't start and red light stays on. Anyone know what to check first. Thanks

[n2916s]

Well, you have power so that is good. Check the thermostats for continuity - at ambient temp they should read zero ohms across the terminals. Clean all the connectors.

When you switch it on is it totally silent? Or can you hear the valve try to open? The igniter clicking?

Mike

[capt ken]

Thanks Mike, I cleaned the contacts and it started working. Water seems maybe too hot.Checked it later and red light back on, but started working when turned off and back on. Think it may be the thermostat?

[n2916s]

Probably still an intermittent connector. The water should be hot as the thermostat on mine opens up at 160 degrees...

Mike

[madpiper]

I have the same problem, where are the contacts that you clean? Mine seems to have a sealed solid state control box with no contacts visible. Any advice would be apperciated

[HowieE]

Originally Posted by capt ken

Thanks Mike, I cleaned the contacts and it started working. Water seems maybe too hot.Checked it later and red light back on, but started working when turned off and back on. Think it may be the thermostat?

Your controls are fine as far as temperature. RV water heaters are not adjustable. Operation is controlled by 2 preset thermisters. The ON thermistor is normally open and closes on temperature drop to start the heater. The OFF thermistor is normally closed and opens on temperature rise.

When you turn the heater on the red light will light and the igniter should give a clicking sound till flame. Once flame is established the heater will run till the OFF thermistor opens. The heater will fire again once it cools to the point that the OFF thermistor has closed and the ON thermistor also is closed.

Failure to light can be as suggested poor connections or if no clicking of the igniter a bad igniter.

As a test you can jumper out the thermistors, usually behind a paper cover on the face of the heater.