hot water heater question

PopsPUP · Aug 10, 2007, 11:45 PM

1st, we PUP newbies! We have a '06 Fleetwood Niagara $ ecently took it on it's maiden "shake down" voyage. Everything worked great except for the hot water heater. It took us a long time just to figure out how to light the pilot. Then it produced lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. That was it for the 4 days at CG. We never could figure out how to wokr the thing. Help!

harleywolf · Aug 11, 2007, 12:46 AM

Did you adjust the water temp? There should be a thermostat at the water heater (similar to a home style one) where you can set the water temp. Next are you sure the pilot lit? I am not exactly sure how the furnace for the tank works but I can say when ours kicks in we hear it. Sounds like a mini jet throttling up. The dealer said that

PopsPUP · Aug 11, 2007, 01:00 AM

[Here is a link on basic hot water heater functionality though it

wavery · Aug 11, 2007, 01:01 AM

Are you sure that you turned the dial to the "On" position, after lighting the pilot light? The pilot itself will keep the water lukewarm. Once the furnace kicks in, it heats the water pretty hot, pretty fast.

6 gallons is a lot more water than you may think it is, in a camper. Even if you shower, 6 gallons of water is a lot and only 50% of that is hot water.

PopsPUP · Aug 11, 2007, 01:21 AM

Quote from: waveryAre you sure that you turned the dial to the "On" position, after lighting the pilot light? The pilot itself will keep the water lukewarm. Once the furnace kicks in, it heats the water pretty hot, pretty fast.

6 gallons is a lot more water than you may think it is, in a camper. Even if you shower, 6 gallons of water is a lot and only 50% of that is hot water.

:confused:There's an "on" position? Well duh! I guess you can tell, I'm not the most mechanically inclined. Thanks for the FB.

wavery · Aug 11, 2007, 02:23 AM

Quote from: brocato1:confused:There's an "on" position? Well duh! I guess you can tell, I'm not the most mechanically inclined. Thanks for the FB.

It's OK. Someone had to show each and every one of us where the brake pedal is at one time too :p .

The button that you push down to light the pilot has 3 positions. "Off", "Pilot" and "On". After you you light the pilot, you continue holding down that button for 30 seconds, then you let it up. If the pilot stays lit, you turn the button to the "On" position and you will hear the furnace "roar" to life. You will have all the hot water you need in about 15 minutes. :sombraro:

harleywolf · Aug 11, 2007, 02:50 AM

Aahhh yes didn

AustinBoston · Aug 11, 2007, 07:39 AM

Quote from: harleywolfAahhh yes didn

Eric Sass · Aug 11, 2007, 09:55 AM

WARNING. When you use the water heater in your Niagra for the first time, set the temp to the lowest setting and adjust it up from there. They work very well and the water can become scalding hot.

mbopp · Aug 11, 2007, 12:17 PM

One more thing to check - if the winterizing (bypass) valve(s) isn't in the right position you won't get any hot water.

chip · Aug 11, 2007, 01:03 PM

I'm not sure if there is any difference between the HWH in your Niagara ('06) vs. mine ('07), but...

Mine has NO PILOT LIGHT. (Nor does the furnace or the reefer.) It has an "electronic ignition device" the fires the burner. When the HWH comes on, you can hear it "ticking," as the spark tries to ignite the propane.

There is a switch inside the camper, right by the converter panel. Make sure that the water is full of water and turn on the switch. It should spark a few times until propane gets to the burner and you will hear it ignite.

My water heater is a Suburban SW6DE. If yours is something else, well, never mind...

wavery · Aug 11, 2007, 02:35 PM

Quote from: harleywolfAahhh yes didn

AustinBoston · Aug 11, 2007, 09:42 PM

Quote from: waverySo much for my "Wisdom" :p

My wisedom missed the fact that he has an '06. Probably does have electronic ignition. :morning:

The OP said they lit the pilot, so you were right.

Austin

PopsPUP · Aug 12, 2007, 12:30 AM

Quote from: mboppOne more thing to check - if the winterizing (bypass) valve(s) isn't in the right position you won't get any hot water.

When we picked up the PUP it was in "winterized" mode. I did clean out the system per instructions. But, I did NOT know anything about a "bypass valve." I read the owner's manual water system/hot water section and saw it mentioned. But, there is no diagram showing where this valve is located. Where is this bypass valve?:confused:

Who in the heck writes these manuals? :book:

BTW, our PUP does have an "electronic ignition device."

Thanks to everyone for responding to this post:#!!!!

wavery · Aug 12, 2007, 12:48 AM

Quote from: brocato1When we picked up the PUP it was in "winterized" mode. I did clean out the system per instructions. But, I did NOT know anything about a "bypass valve." I read the owner's manual water system/hot water section and saw it mentioned. But, there is no diagram showing where this valve is located. Where is this bypass valve?:confused:

Who in the heck writes these manuals? :book:

BTW, our PUP does have an "electronic ignition device."

Thanks to everyone for responding to this post:#!!!!

Ain't we got fun :J

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hot water heater question