Steps to Service and Repair RV Water Heater
- Drain and rinse water heater tank
- Replace RV water heater anode
- Replace electric water heater element
- Diagnose faulty water heater thermostat
- Replace thermostat switch
- Investigate and repair faulty power switch
How to help your RV water heater run better?
- Do Not buy a natural gas model thinking it will work with Propane, it won’t and can be dangerous!
- Do Not keep the gas on when in transit. I know a lot of people who do, but it can be dangerous and it’s not a good idea. ...
- Do Not keep turning the hot water on and off on and off repeatedly. ...
- Do Not allow the water to run while you do other things. ...
What are common problems with RV water heaters?
Here is what you will need to check:
- Pressurized freshwater is reaching the inlet of the water heater. ...
- Propane: Make sure your propane cylinders are turned on and other appliances are operating correctly. ...
- 12 Volts DC (aka battery power): If you have a DSI water heater, you will need to verify that a full 12 volts DC is reaching the water heater when ...
Why is my RV water heater not working?
RV Water Heater Leaking
- Both propane and electric water heaters can leak if there is an unsafe amount of pressure built up inside of your tank. ...
- Your water heater may leak due to an incorrectly installed line, or one of your pipes may have an issue or crack. ...
- If you think your RV water heater is leaking from the tank itself, you need to replace the entire fixture. ...
How to repair a broken RV water heater?
http://www.pedatarvcenter.com Do It Yourself (DIY) RV water heater maintenance and repair. Stop guessing if you need to take your RV into a service center, a...
How do I troubleshoot my RV hot water heater?
RV Water Heater Troubleshooting TipsRefer to Your Water Heater Manual.Check Bypass Valves.Check Your Outdoor Shower.Check Your Propane Levels.Check The Anode Rod (If Your RV Water Heater Has One)If Electric, Check The Heating Element.Faulty Thermostat.RV Water Heater Check Valve Malfunction.
How do I reset my RV hot water heater?
0:2313:30RV Camper Water Heaters: Tips & Troubleshooting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou just turn the little button here and it's usually spring-loaded.MoreYou just turn the little button here and it's usually spring-loaded.
How do I test my RV hot water heater?
1:335:01How To Test Your RV Water Heater On Electric - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo don't electrocute yourself but we're gonna find the wire that's connected to five and then weMoreSo don't electrocute yourself but we're gonna find the wire that's connected to five and then we take our plant meter. And let me get set up with two hands we're gonna clamp around that wire.
Why won't my water heater in my RV stay lit?
It could be a dirty or broken igniter, a corroded connection, the flame could be out of adjustment, there could be insufficient LP pressure, or the control board could be bad. From a user standpoint, I would remove the igniter, and with a small piece of emery paper, clean the tip of the igniter.
Do RV water heaters have a reset button?
Look for the DCI lights on the panel. If they are lit, you will need to go outside and push the reset buttons on the water heater. If this does not fix the issue, additional RV water heater troubleshooting will be needed.
Where is the reset button on my RV heater?
0:463:012 Common RV Furnace Problems and Fixes - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you look in there there's a little button. Here. That says off and reset.MoreIf you look in there there's a little button. Here. That says off and reset.
Why is the heater in my RV not working?
If the furnace runs, but you aren't getting any heat, check to see if the propane is turned on. If the furnace still doesn't run, try lighting a stove burner. This will ensure the stove is getting propane. If the pilot won't light, check to be sure you have propane.
How do I know if my RV water heater is working?
4:058:21RV Water Heater Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot, Diagnose, and RepairYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's quick and easy you just push the battery button. And you can check that you might have aMoreSo it's quick and easy you just push the battery button. And you can check that you might have a little fancier.
How do you clean an RV thermocouple on a water heater?
Clean the thermocouple - using the emery cloth sandpaper, sand the ends of the thermocouple and then give it a finishing touch with the lint-free cloth. Hopefully, you can get to the ends of the thermocouple without having to detach it from the assembly, but you may have to do that.
Why does the flame keep going out on my RV water heater?
Lack of Combustible Air Your water heater requires air to keep the pilot light burning. Otherwise, the flame goes out. Ensure that the water heater is not surrounded by clutter, lint, or debris to increase the amount of combustible air. Keep the surrounding area as clean as possible.
What do you do when your water heater won't light?
0:2018:26Top 10 Gas Water Heater Pilot Light Problems! Won't Light, Won't Stay Lit!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo if this was in the on position you're going to turn it right here to the line up on the pilot.MoreSo if this was in the on position you're going to turn it right here to the line up on the pilot. Press this down you're going to hold that down and then you're going to press your spark ignition.
How do I replace the thermocouple on my RV water heater?
0:004:01DIY How to Replace a Propane Heater Thermocouple on a Mallard ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust like that right here's the thermocouple. This piece right here attaches down here little gonnaMoreJust like that right here's the thermocouple. This piece right here attaches down here little gonna be unscrew it here. And then we're gonna unscrew it here that or just pop this out.
Where is the reset button on a Dometic water heater?
A water heater reset button, usually red, is located in the center of the limit switch just above the water heater thermostat.
Why Is My RV water heater reset light on?
As others have said, the light comes on because the gas failed to light. Just turn the switch off and back on to reset. If the problem continues, there could be a problem with the burner or with the gas supply valve.
What to check when there's no hot water?
6 Things to do When Your House Has no Hot WaterCheck the thermostat settings. Many manufactures set the thermostat to 140 degrees Fahrenheit by default. ... Check the circuit breaker. ... Check the pilot light. ... Check for leaks. ... Flush the tank. ... If all else fails: Upgrade your hot water heater.
How do you reset a gas hot water heater?
0:202:56How to reset gas water tank pilot light - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou simply hold the button down and spark. It and then here's the most important part you continueMoreYou simply hold the button down and spark. It and then here's the most important part you continue to hold that button down for about 60 seconds.
Why do you check your RV lights?
This procedure is important because the lenses on the lights can crack or the seals can come loose, allowing moisture to penetrate.
How to check gas flow on stove?
First things first, you should check that gas is coming through to your appliances. Light the stovetop burner and look for a steady flow with a solid flame. Next, use a voltage meter to check the input to the heater , which should be at least 10.5 volts.
Signs of a Problem With the Water Heater
Although it’s not impossible to live without hot water in your RV, nobody wants to do it. If you notice any of these signs, the problem is likely coming from the water heater, and the sooner you act, the easier the solution will be.
Check Issues With Supply First
Whenever you’re about to tackle a problem with your RV, the best place to start is by checking any issues with supply. For your water heater, this means going through a few of the basic systems that service it:
Quick Fixes to Common Problems
The good news is, issues with RV water heaters are incredibly common, so there’s a lot of information out there that can help you troubleshoot them.
Tips for Keeping the Water Heater in Good Shape
As one of the last parts you want to break down in your RV, it’s important to do what you can to take care of the water heater.
Fixing the Cold Water Blues
It’s never fun living without access to hot water, especially during the colder months when it comes time to take a shower.
Related Questions
Your RV is full of many moving parts and it’s common that things will need repair occasionally.
Where is the water heater valve located on an RV?
The valve is located on the exterior side of the RV and utilizes a standing pilot light which has to be lit from the outside of the RV. DSI (Direct Spark Ignition): This is the most common type of water heater in today’s RVs. These models allow the user to flip a switch inside the RV to light the propane burner on the water heater.
How to check if water is coming out of water heater?
Start by verifying the problem is not an issue with supply. Here is what you will need to check: Pressurized freshwater is reaching the inlet of the water heater. This is most easily tested by opening the pressure relief valve located near the top of the water heater. If water comes out, it is not a supply problem.
What is the name of the valve that controls propane?
Some will also contain an electric element which can be used in place of propane or used in conjunction with propane to heat water faster. Manual Gas Valve: As the name suggests, the gas valve that controls the propane is manually activated.
Why don't you need a house in an RV?
It’s not the destination, but the journey. It’s exploring the world. You don’t need a house because when you travel, you’re home. That’s RV LIFE.
Can you live without a water heater in an RV?
By knowing the basics of RV water heaters in advance, you might just save yourself the headache of breaking camp and heading to an RV repair facility. “It’s definitely not impossible to live without warm water, but it can sure be inconvenient if you haven’t planned for it.
Is it a problem if water comes out of a propane tank?
If water comes out, it is not a supply problem. Use caution when opening the valve as scalding could occur if hot water is present. Propane: Make sure your propane cylinders are turned on and other appliances are operating correctly.
Types of RV Water Heaters
There are two types of fuel used to power your RV water heater: electricity or propane gas. However, there are a few different types of water heaters that utilize either of these fuels if not both. Let’s learn about them now.
Ways that Your RV Water Heater May Malfunction
Are you curious to learn about all of the different ways that your RV water heater may malfunction? Let’s take a look at some of these common issues based on the fuel type as well as the potential other reasons that your water heater may be malfunctioning.
Common RV Water Heater Troubleshooting
Curious to know how you can fix some common RV water heater troubleshooting issues? We’ve compiled a list of some of the most annoying as well as typical issues that you may be facing. Read on to check them out now!
Final Thoughts
No matter what type of hot water heater you have, this guide should help you with many standard issues. As always, if there’s something you don’t feel comfortable fixing yourself, there are always professional RV repair people to help assist you. You don’t have to travel without hot water in your RV with this troubleshooting guide!
