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Water heater problems

Yahoo Message Number: 1061
Have a '99 Allure and have had very little trouble with the coach except for oil blow by when we first got it. Did get that fixed fairly quickly and have enjoyed the coach now for 38000 miles.
However, on our last trip our water heater stopped working. Turn the switch on and nothing happens---the pilot light light on the panel does not come on and the heater burner does not come on. Also have not had the 110volt side of it not working for abut a year. Can anyone give me any help?.

Thanks in advance
Egon

AKA cctravelingman

Re: Water heater problems

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1062
Hi Egon,

We had a problem with our water heater also. Our coach was parked at a site for a week while we were elsewhere. When we left it the water heater was working fine, But on our return I could not get the water heater to start.
Tracked the problem to a electrical disconnect. Open your access cover on the drivers side of the coach (assuming you have galley slide) and check the spade connectors.
In our case one of the connectors was completely off. As soon as I reconnected it the water heater worked perfectly.
The mystery for me was how the dis connection happened as the coach had not moved at all and there could not have been any vibration to loosen the connection.
I believe we may have left the water heater on when we left the coach, and some one realizing the coach was 'out of service' heard the water heater and disconnected the wire to stop it running, a good move but if that is what happened it would have been nice if they had left a note also.

Hope this helps,

David, 2000 Intrigue 11062

Re: Water heater problems

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1063
First lets understand, the 110 volt system and the 12 volt gas ignition system have nothing in common except that they both have the ultimate function of giving you hot water. Electrically they are not related at all.
Having said that I would first check the 110 volt system. Do an easy check. There is a small brown switch on the side of the water heater that is under the floor in the closet. Use a mirror and a flashlight to be certain that this switch is on. Next, check the circuit breaker in the panel over the bed. Again, be certain it is on. Last check the circuit breaker on the generator (if you are not on shore power) to be certain it is on. If all of these are on then the next step requires some skill/knowledge of electrical systems. If you know how to check for voltage at the element then do so and trace backwards until you find the problem. If you don't already know how to do this then DON'T even start.
Now to the 12 volt LP gas ignition system. Check the back of the on/off switch inside the coach to see if it has 12 volts supplied. If not check the fuse for the circuit. If you do have 12 volts here turn the switch on and see if the other terminal of the switch has 12 volts with it on. If not, replace the switch. If it does have 12 volts go to the outside of the coach, open the water heater door and check to see if you have 12 volts on any terminal with the inside switch on. If you do then you may have a faulty module. You can get a replacement from Country Coach or Camping World for about $150. You can also get an aftermarket module from marksrv.com for approx. $90. It is manufactured by Dinosaur Electronics and has a 3 year warranty instead of the Atwood 90 days to 1 year.
I replaced my controller with the Dinosaur aftermarket product because the original Atwood controller had burned a trace on the board (this is the second Atwood unit I had that burned a trace). Unfortunately the Atwood design will burn a trace before it will open a fuse or circuit breaker. The aftermarket product has better protection built in and a better warranty. The aftermarket board is approx. the same size but it is not a "potted board". It is an open board like they all used to be. Marksrv.com also sells a clear board cover for approx. $5. If you go this route I would get the cover to protect the board from the elements.
This is probably more than you want to know but I can't imagine being without hot water so I thought I would try to help. If you are not familiar with tracing circuits than DO NOT attempt any of the repairs above. Especially do not begin to work on the 110 volt circuit unless you are familiar with these circuits. Remember, 110 volts can KILL you.

I hope this helps.

Joey

Perfect 1998 Intrigue

Re: Water heater problems

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1064
Egon:

Have you checked the switch mounted right on the water heater. If this was accidentally turned off it will keep the 120 volt circuit from working. On the 12 volt side make certain you have 12 volts present at the heater for the ignition circuit to work.
Jim Green

cctravelingman wrote:

Re: Water heater problems

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1065
Don't know about the gas side...but go out and check to see if bugs and etc have built a nest...the 110 side...check the reset button...on the heater itself...Good luck.
Mary Lindsey

Re: Water heater problems

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1066
Where exactly can you access this 120 volt switch? I have the Hurricane heater, and I'm pretty sure it's been heating the water, up to this point.
RB

Intrigue - #11480

Quote
Egon:

Have you checked the switch mounted right on the water heater. If
this was accidentally turned off it

Re: Water heater problems

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1067
From what I understand the Hurricane heater only provides a little supplemental heat to the water heater. Without the primary heat elements (110VAC and/or LP) there would be little hot water.
In my coach, Suite of Dreams, I think the 110VAC water heater switch is on the unit behind the drawers under the pantry opposite the refrigerator.

Dick May

2002 Intrigue

Member: CCI, FMCA
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel

Re: Water heater problems

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1069
I received an email from John Bickel at Country Coach saying that this switch leaves the factory in the "Off" position. Unless the dealer turned it on, I guess it's been off the entire time. And yes, the Hurricane heater only supplements the hot water heater according to John.

Thanks,
RB

Intrigue - #11480

Quote
From what I understand the Hurricane heater only provides a little
supplemental heat to the water heater. Without the primary heat elements (110VAC and/or LP) there would be little hot water.

Quote
>

In my coach, Suite of Dreams, I think the 110VAC water heater
switch is on the unit behind the drawers under the pantry opposite the refrigerator.

Re: Water heater problems

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 1074
RB,

Thanks for your timely note. We purchased our used coach four months ago and have been using it in conditions that required the LPG tank be on and at times the Hydronic heat. Consequently there was always hot water.

Now we are parked at home with a shore line connection to run heating and refrigerator needs. Sure enough, without LPG and Hydronic heater the water went cold.

The electric water heater switch was in the off position. DUH.

We weren't shown this switch during our walk through. My guess is that the prior owner never found it either!

Thanks for solving a mystery.

David
2000 Intrigue 11062