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Old 09-08-2009, 09:05 AM   #1
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lighting pilot on Atwood heater

Okay - six weeks ago an RV repair/maintenance guy showed me how to light my HW Heater. The pilot and burner both lit.

But, this weekend I was unable to reproduce that ... I couldn't get the pilot to ignight. I pulled out the owners manual and, of course, the instructions are for a different unit than what I have. I tried several times and it just wouldn't light. I searched this forum for awhile and only found one similar post (http://www.airforums.com/forums/f445...ind-52431.html). My HW heater is similar - with out any reset/adjustment knobs - and I am relatively certain that there are no ancillary gas line valves specific to the HW heater.

The propane tank was open and I was able to light the stove top. At the water heater, I turned the knob to the pilot position and held it against the stop while focusing the lighter flame at the pilot for several minutes. I tried moving the thermostat to different positions without any change. I opened the kitchen faucet/hot water to verify water was cycling through the HW tank.

Any help is appreciated. I'd like to try this again when I get home tonight.

Laura
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Old 09-08-2009, 09:14 AM   #2
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My trailer has a valve to shutoff the propane to the water heater. It is located under the trailer near the water heater. There is also one for the furnace and one inside the stove.
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Old 09-08-2009, 09:20 AM   #3
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My trailer has a valve to shutoff the propane to the water heater. It is located under the trailer near the water heater. There is also one for the furnace and one inside the stove.

Thanks for the quick reply ... The RV repair guy pointed out the one on the stove and furnace but didn't say a word about one on the HW heater. I don't recall seeing him open it before lighting or closing it after turning it off. But I've lost my mind before and will launch a search party for one at the HW heater this evening! That would actually make sense to me - but I just don't recall it....

Laura
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Old 09-08-2009, 05:16 PM   #4
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Help!!!

Home now... I did locate a separate valve in the propane line to the HW heater. It is rusted in place - with handle positioned in line with the propane gas line. Thus, it seems to be *open*. But pilot will still not light. Now what? I guess anything could have gone wrong since 6 weeks ago - but I am hoping it's my operator error rather than some component failure.
My camera is charging and, if it's done befor dark, I'll snap some photo's of what I have and where I'm trying to light. Till then, if anyone has some ideas, I'll give anything/everything else a try.
Laura
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Old 09-08-2009, 05:40 PM   #5
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1 minute 48 seconds later

Sixth time is a charm. I grabbed my camera, loaded the battery, found it charged enough to snap a few pictures. Upon placing lighter at pilot to snap a photo, the dang thing lights. Yes, the PILOT HAS LIT. Whew. I waited 30 sec before turning knob to ON and was surprised at the blast of fire. That burner looks like a dang rocket engine. The pilot flame looks good to me - with a blue cone. But the burner is way big. Pleae let me know, if you can by the photos, if it looks okay!

Laura - who will break open a bottle of Malbec.
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Old 09-08-2009, 05:50 PM   #6
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Congratulations!
It looks fine to me, time for a hot shower.
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Old 09-08-2009, 05:52 PM   #7
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Looks fine to me...

Quote:
Originally Posted by funkill View Post
Sixth time is a charm. I grabbed my camera, loaded the battery, found it charged enough to snap a few pictures. Upon placing lighter at pilot to snap a photo, the dang thing lights. Yes, the PILOT HAS LIT. Whew. I waited 30 sec before turning knob to ON and was surprised at the blast of fire. That burner looks like a dang rocket engine. The pilot flame looks good to me - with a blue cone. But the burner is way big. Pleae let me know, if you can by the photos, if it looks okay!

Laura - who will break open a bottle of Malbec.
Any occasion is appropriate for opening a good bottle...
André
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Old 09-08-2009, 05:56 PM   #8
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Congratulations!
It looks fine to me, time for a hot shower.
You know, it's almost calling for me to do just that ... tonight! And my neighbors are all sitting in their porch. I might go out, shower, and walk back into the house in my towel. That should give them something (more) to talk about!

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Any occasion is appropriate for opening a good bottle...
André
True....true...

Laura - who's happy for the night!
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Old 09-08-2009, 07:42 PM   #9
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The Atwood I have in my Airstream is new, having installed it about 3 years ago. This hot water heater was the first manual start model I've owned and it took me awhile to figure out how to properly start it. Not only do you have to put it in the pilot start position but you also have to pull on the knob (which also pulls out only 1/8 of an inch) to release the propane to enable ignition.
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