Maiden voyage and no hot water

[millvalleyca]

Hi....just returned from our maiden voyage!
We had a great first outing but had no hot water!
The burner lit but our water never got hot....luke warm at best.
Before we call the dealer tomorrow.....any suggestions? Our owners manual lists two possible pilot operation controls....White Rodgers and Robertshaw Unitrol controllers (both have a temperature lever/set temperature control.
We don't have one of these controls!!!! When we open the hot water control box it looks exactly like the "Part identification" diagram (spark ignition) in the Atwood water heater literature the dealer gave us. (this diagram doesn't show a White Rodger or Robershaw controller) HELP!
Thanks in advance for any info.....can't wait for our next outing

[airstreamers]

sorry to hear about your hot water problem. have you tried going to the home page, finding the right subtopic and then using the search feature along the top of the page and entering your question? i'm sure someone here will have just the answer you're looking for, it is a great bunch of people and they are all very willing to help. congratulations on your maiden voyage. i'm sure it will be the first of many! welcome

[ScottW]

I hate to ask the question...but I've done it several times myself....What was the outside temperature and how long did you leave the water heater on before you checked the temperature. Don't mean to insult your intelligence, but, been there, done that.
Rgds,
Scott

[millvalleyca]

Hey ScottW
Just tested the hot water...it's 5:45 pm the temp outside is 68. (this morning it was 37)
I pushed the igniter button inside...light went on...burner turned on.....light went off....burner still on....blue flame and hot.....stayed on for about 5 minutes. No hot water...just luke warm

[thecatsandi]

if yours is the same as mine .There is a safety thermal fuse that melted due to a spider web causing a porpane build up and flash fire. Does it come back on again?
How about on electric?

[Safari Tim]

After you hooked up, did you run the hot water spigots to make sure the tank was full?

Did you check the water heater bypass valve thats used in winterization?

Did you check the shower mix valve was off and not rely on just the shower head off setting?

[millvalleyca]

we only have propane no electric.
just tried it again.....burner was on for 12 minutes.....water ran cold....then HOT for a sec and then barely warm. One thing i noticed with the flame...it sputters like being blown by wind eventhough it's not windy right now. I dread having to take our baby to the dealer because it's a two hour drive. And so far this is the only problem with our new Binki3

[thecatsandi]

Sound like the thermo sensor is causing a premature shutdown.

Check all the things Tim said.
Looks like a visit to a dealer is in order. Call the factory tomorrow morning ask for tech support. IF that does not work ask them if you can take it to a local that knows about your heater.

Cool glad you found it.. Simple but annoying.

[millvalleyca]

Hey Tim and the other people on this forum.
HOT water! The bypass valve was open....closed it and instant hot water!
Where do I send the check toTim?
Can't wait for our second voyage.....
We are truly newbies having a great time.
Thanks again!

[Silvertwinkie]

Ours did that too.....unless there is a major problem, it's most likely the bypass valve area. Recheck the valves and you may find as I did that the three valves are not correct. Reading your post was the exact spitting image of what I found when I hopped in the shower after the water heater finished heating the water. Upon setting the three valves correctly, it was hot and stayed hot until I chewed up all 6 gallons! I'd bet real money the valves aren't closed or opened right, at least one of the three isn't!

[Silvertwinkie]

HA! Just finished the post and read your post that you posted at the same time I posted mine.....glad you found it!

[wanderer1]

hello millvalley,first,did you fill l.p. tanks.2nd are l.p. valves fully open.ok,if that stuffs alright,it takes little wind blowing to make your flame flicker.Also leave the w/h switch on the whole time you need hot water.The light is only on while lighting,then goes off,pilot is still lit.It will take apx. 30 minutes + or - ,with the w/h switch on for the water to get hot.Hope that helps you...

[Safari Tim]

Cool, glad you found it!

[wanderer1]

Opps,too late

[ScottW]

As Elvis would say...'thank ya...thank ya verry much!"
Glad it all worked out.

[Steve & Susan]

We've got a 2005 28' CCD and had the same problem - the manual shows the very same valve orientation for winter bypass settings and for summer use settings. Hopefully, they changed the manual - if not, use a Sharpie pen to put "W" and "S" indicators on the side of the insulation of the water tank.