Is this normal? Cycling question

[Catman6]

I finally got my water heater working good WOOHOO! But I don't know if this is normal. The water heater periodically will fire up and run 15 - 30 seconds and shut off when no hot water is being used. Is that a normal cylce length to maintain the water temp?TonyPS - thanks for all the great help everyone has given me

[moosetags]

When our water heater is turned on but we are not using hot water it also cycles as you are describing. Ours usually stays lit for a minute or two.

Brian

[ROBERT CROSS]

All that I have experience with have cycled also, but...15-30sec seems a little short, how long between start-ups?
Could have a thermostat or insulation concern.

[Ahab]

With ours, the cycle duration depends on how cold it is outside.