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Old 03-24-2018, 10:06 AM   #1
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Second striker board out on 22FB water heater

Had the 22FB only 3 months and the electronic striker board died. Dealer shipped me a second one. It lasted only one trip out. Now it has died.

Called Atwood and ran through full tests of the feed lines, power supply, and solenoid over the phone. AS wiring ok. Then I was told Atwood had many problems with striker board models ending in -8E. The tank is a 6 gallon propane only.

Atwood is sending a 3rd board to a mobile repair guy to install. They are footing the mobile fee and 30 minute install rate. Atwood will not ship any part to end users as a policy. Growl Growl. It’s costing Atwood $160 + new board. As I have extensive electrical and electronic background I could have saved them money.

All this to say, if you lose a striker ignition board model ending in -8E, or even two, it is apparently a poor design and since the board is potted it cannot be repaired.

Unless you guys have some thoughts on the matter...
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Old 03-24-2018, 03:34 PM   #2
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we had the same issue

we paid a RV tech to do its just so that we could get the warranty refund.
The tech did not want to charge us since it was so simple. he said, fine, i;ll make you a bill for a wauarntee claim.

we both smiled

it look less than 1 min to replace
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Old 03-25-2018, 08:59 PM   #3
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What does this striker board look like? Can you post a photo? Finally where does it go on the water heater? Thanks in advance for your response.
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Old 03-26-2018, 06:58 AM   #4
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Pat it is the 3x4 black board with a wiring harness on one side and a single wire connected to the flame chamber. The single wire provides a strike/sense path to turn on the gas solenoid.

If it all works you hear one gas solenoid click on, gas flows, and a tick tick tick as the striker attempts to light the propane flow.

If it is successful the same wire sends a signal to the board to keep the solenoid on. If not, it shuts the solenoid off then repeats the cycle 2 more times before it times out.

Both my boards failed to strike/sense and then go into time out. Even lighting with a bbq lighter the sense doesn’t register the flame and shuts the flame off.

I’ll post a photo if I have time.
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Old 03-26-2018, 08:47 AM   #5
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What I think is you are getting better response and service than a lot of folks report on other issues. Any chance your technical knowledge helped smooth the process or were you just lucky enough to have the problem after Atwood accepted it existed?

In any case. Thanks for posting. Good information. Really helps when folks understand what to expect. Pat
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Old 03-27-2018, 08:58 AM   #6
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The offending board is shown. It is potted so most components cannot be seen.
Update: Got the 3rd one installed yesterday. Worked overnight. We shall see...




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Old 03-27-2018, 09:55 AM   #7
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"it is apparently a poor design."

Exactly--and replacing a poorly designed board with another poorly designed board is a losing proposition. But there's a better alternative.

When replacing the controller/igniter/"striker" board on a furnace, water heater, or propane refrigerator, get a replacement made by Dinosaur Electronics. They are better designed and built than the original manufacturers' boards.

I've done several Dinosaur board refits for myself and friends, and have yet to see one fail. RV techs I know recommend them. For your water heater, I believe you'd need their UIB-S or UIB-64 board--check with Dinosaur. Their tech support is excellent, by the way.
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Old 03-27-2018, 10:34 AM   #8
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Another vote for the Dinosaur boards. We did not have a problem with our water heater's board, but the furnace board was another matter. After the failure within a short period of time of two original boards, we installed a Dinosaur board. Still no problems after many years!

Tim
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Old 04-08-2018, 05:59 PM   #9
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New striker board has been installed 2 weeks and seems to be working fine. Exercise it every day. Leave on a road trip next week.

I appreciate the info on the Dino boards. If the #3 board fails, I will be ordering a Dino, warranty or no warranty. Tired of the inconvenience of cold showers on the road.

Airstream take note: I think Atwood is trying but their batch of bad striker boards is making your decision to use them in the AS very questionable. 3rd party failures reflect on the overall RV experience.
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Old 04-08-2018, 08:28 PM   #10
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I went through 2 Atwood boards for my HW heater. Same issue although I was able to light the unit manually with a BBQ lighter. Atwood sent out a mobile tech to troubleshoot before they would send a board, which they only would send to him. The reason is not because of warranty, it was because it’s a propane device. Anyway, not wanting to wait I had the tech install a Dinosaur board. Works like a champ. He delivered the replacement Atwood board as a spare- doubt I’ll ever open the box. It probably doesn’t work anyway.
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Old 04-09-2018, 01:03 PM   #11
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here are the instructions to replace atwood h/w heater circuit e board

if the fails a 2nd time, open a claim with AS, tell them you want another OEM supplier
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Old 04-10-2018, 06:30 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by waninae39 View Post
here are the instructions to replace atwood h/w heater circuit e board

if the fails a 2nd time, open a claim with AS, tell them you want another OEM supplier
Actually I’m on the 3rd board. If it fails, a Dinosaur board will replace it.
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Old 04-12-2018, 02:34 PM   #13
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I went through two boards on our 2018 as well. 3rd has been a charm so far..
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Old 04-14-2018, 05:54 AM   #14
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Second striker board out on 22FB water heater

I am thinking this may have struck us. Water heats on electric but is a no go on propane. Three attempts then solid red. Is there a quick diagnosis? Do the little LEDs above the fuse indicate anything? Heading back to Chicago from San Diego in 2 weeks hot showers would be awesome.
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Old 04-15-2018, 07:03 AM   #15
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The little lights on the board never signal anything - failure or not. There are a couple of voltage tests you can do per your owners manual. However, the prima fascia evidence is gas running and no striker or flame. 3 tries and the red light on the wall comes on. Someone said they could manually light theirs with a bbq lighter however mine lights but won’t stay on due to the board not sensing the flame. It’s all about liability for Atwood.

To make sure it is a board failure, test your LP pressure by using the stove or furnace. If they work, and the WH doesn’t light it is likely the board. If mine goes our a third time, I’m buying the Dinosaur brand board.
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Old 04-15-2018, 10:08 AM   #16
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Second striker board out on 22FB water heater

So that is definitely my problem. Does anyone happen the know the current model number? I am in Chicago the trailer is in San Diego. I am flying back out to to start the journey home in a couple weeks and really wont have time to do a service center. I would like to bring the board with me.
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Old 04-15-2018, 12:08 PM   #17
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My recommendation is to contact Dinosaur (http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/) and have them send you the right board. As you have read above, their replacement boards work and continue to work for a long time.

You will have to pay for the board, of course.

Tim

PS I have no commercial relationship with Dinosaur Electronics!
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Old 04-15-2018, 05:04 PM   #18
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So that is definitely my problem. Does anyone happen the know the current model number? I am in Chicago the trailer is in San Diego. I am flying back out to to start the journey home in a couple weeks and really wont have time to do a service center. I would like to bring the board with me.
Pretty sure you are correct based on symptoms. As noted by others, the Dino board is the best option. Been on too many trips and had cold showers to worry about warranty.

I might order a Dino board, install it and keep the (current working) board as a backup.
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Old 04-15-2018, 05:10 PM   #19
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LP/Electric Dino board is:

http://www.dinosaurelectronics.com/UIB-64.html
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Old 04-15-2018, 05:17 PM   #20
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Second striker board out on 22FB water heater

The dinosaur board sounds like the right choice. But because of the logistics, I am in Chicago the trailer and manuals are in San Diego, I don’t know the Atwood part number. Hopefully someone may know it. Also I am hopeful that I can get reimbursed it is still under warranty.
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