As a "newbie" owner of a 2007 Airstream 23' international, I've run into my first hitch. While camping this weekend we couldnt get any hot water. The fresh Water was full, Gas was getting to the stove and furnace. When I hit the water heater switch, you could see and hear the initial roar but after 10-20 seconds would shut off.
The water heater booklet included with my purchase package doesnt seem to address this problem.
One concern I have is whether the tank is actually getting water or if a sensor/electronic circuit is cutting off the firing.
Any Ideas?
Thanks for the advice
I checked under the mattress which is the access for the waterheater in my model. The middle valve was perpendicular and the other two parallel which according to the instructions would be correct. Any other ideas?
Two suggestions. First, you may have a bad or misaligned senor that keeps the flame lit. If it doesn't see the heat from the flame, it will assume the flame has gone out, and will shut down the gas to prevent a possible explosion.
Second, your trailer should still be under warranty. If so, just make an appointment with the dealer to get it taken care of.
Just one quick idea: not to be insulting, but did you run the water pump with the "hot" faucet open at sink or shower, so as to actually fill the tank with water? (And is the tank drain pug in place?) It could be that your heater tank is empty and a "hot" safety is shutting it down. You should get air for a while as the tank fills (takes a while with those little pumps) ... then sputters, then a steady stream that'll tell you the tank is full ...
I just got another and better idea. I've got a 23 footer, AND WITH A WORKING WATER HEATER! Tell you what ... maybe we could just swap ... Well, though, now that I think of it, moving all the "stuff" I've got in there out and back into a new coach would probably kill me. Sorry, guess it was a bad idea all along.
Good luck getting it running. Hot water IS after all, one of the reasons we don't tent camp any more, right?!
Pete,
Just curious, how many times did you try the ignition switch? I just dewinterized and noticed that there seemed to be numerous air bubbles in the line. It took 3 times to hit the switch before she took off.
__________________ Craig
AIR #0078
'01 2500hd ext. cab, 8.1 litre gas, 5 sp. Allison auto
3.73 rear end
Mag-Hytec rear diff cover
Amsoil Dual by-pass oil filtration system
Amsoil synthetics all around
265 watt AM Solar, Inc. system
When you open a hot water tap in the trailer does anything come out?
You can test to see if you have water in the water heater by opening the relief valve for a second or two. Water should come flooding out.
Good one Richard!
Just to summarize what you should look for.
1. open the release valve on the water heater (with your water pump on or connected to city water) and be certain that the tank is filled.
2. run your furnace and stove and be certain that you have sufficient LP in the tanks
3. try the water heater several times as there will probably be an air bubble (or several) in the supply line. Your DSI water heater will try to ignite 3 times and then lock out. You then have to turn off the unit and turn it back on again for anothet 3 tries. It may take a while.
4. the igniter that generates the spark at the burner might be out of position and not seeing enough flame, resulting in the board shutting down the gas valve and turning out the flame.
5. If none of the above works, you might need the LP supply tube and burner cleaned out, or you might have a defective igniter board!
Look closely at your manual. Mine has the exact same diagram for the "winterized" and "summerized" hot water bypass settings. Airstream is supposed to fix the manual, but they may not have.
I'll not be able to get to my AS until next weekend, if you haven't figured it out by then, I'll take a picture and post it of the "summerized" positions and you just reverse them for the winter.
I agree about running the hot water faucet inside your AS. Additionally, you can test the pressure relief valve to see if the tank is full. Just lift the little handle on it A LITTLE BIT to see if water squirts out. If it does, the tank is full. If not, I suspect the bypass is set wrong. Don't open the relief valve too much or you'll take a shower.
Finally, if your dealer is close by, call him and explain the situation. This is one of the reasons I ALWAYS recommend that new buyers video tape the walk-through by the dealer (with close-ups) for future use.
Best of luck - let us know what happens.
__________________ Steve&Susan 2005 28' CCD, 2002 Silverado-C1500, Equal-I-Zer Empty Nesters - spending our money on OURSELVES for a change!
We had a 'no hot water' situation when we first took out our new AS. Turned out to be a faulty connection to the heater.
With the door open, it is the last connector to the right, about mid-way up.
Try jiggling it and then lighting the heater again. It might work until you can get it to a service center.
__________________
FordTruck
2005 F-150 5.4L Supercab 4X4 (Betsy 3)
2008 Safari 27FB SE (Arvin as in RV'ing)
2006 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic
Thanks for all your advice. I've got my work cut out for me. I'll post the status as soon as I have a chance to work on it. I hope the solution isn't too embarrassing.
Pete
Quick Links
Well, though, now that I think of it, moving all the "stuff" I've got in there out and back into a new coach would probably kill me. Sorry, guess it was a bad idea all along.
Half dozen times for us last April.
Fires right up now with all the air out, stove and oven can be a little
LOST IN THE SIXTIES
. Airstream is supposed to fix the manual, but they may not have.
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