Water Heater Woes !

[DRR-24V]

Got up today to learn the Bathroom water heater was out. We have another for the Laundry room. Lit it and it went out a little later. Saw the thermocouple was cracked a little, so drove 15 miles round trip, spent $8 and returned. Installed that puppy and it would not light. Wife then advised the other water heater was off. Checked the propane tank and had 50%. Lit the other heater and it went out 5 minutes later. Checked to see if the Fireplace starter worked and, You Guessed It, No Propane. The guage was stuck at 50%. Tapped it and it went to Zero. Filled it and everything works. What a day.

 

[maint.man]

Know the feelin'

Sounds like my shallow well pump in the basement . About a week ago , the wife said "are we out of water" , so I went down stairs and the guage said 25 psi. , but after a little tap , it said 0.

I kinda felt like Homer Simpson , DOOOOOTTTHHHH.

 

[Okie-Go]

My water heater in the 5er will work on propane but will not work when I switch to electric. It will throw the breaker so must be a short somewhere. Reckon it must be in the air or something.

 

[barryg41]

Water Heater Blunders

When I bought our 5vr. All I did was make sure the propane was on and hit the switch in the trailer. It worked! This is our second camper.



Two years later, my father-in-law added an electric element to his motorhome's water heater. That's when I decided to get one also. Well like I said earlier, All I did was hit the gas and hit the switch, never looked back. Come to find out my w/h already has a electic element, but the switch is right inside the door of the w/h. Turned it on and works like a charm. If no electictiy, then gas kicks in.



Okie maybe you have a switch inside the w/h door.

 

[RHARVEY]

Since the topic here contains propane tanks and 5er's, lets expand it a little please. Our 5er is a 1979 Excel with the old style tanks. Instead of having to buy new tanks because of the new law, can I just replace the valve???



Rick

 

[maint.man]

Okie, check your elements in that heater , sometimes when your water heater comes in contact with "hard water" lime will build up and short out the element itself . If this is the case , you can probobly take out the element , and bend up a coat hanger to rake out the lime . Just a possibility.

RHARVEY, as far as I know you can't just replace the valve, it requires a whole new tank Sorry, but a buddy of mine at work has to replace both of his this year also.

 

[Happy Camper]

Rharvey, It is my understanding you can have a propane outfit replace the valves to the new ones. Do not know what the cost would be compared to new purchase.