Propane water heater question
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 229
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From: Canada
Propane water heater question
Anyone here know much about propane appliances? I'm trying to get a propane water heater working for some temporary hot water in an out-of-the-way location. It's the type with a piezo ignitor. There is propane at the fitting entering the water heater and I see a spark in the ignitor window when I hit the switch, but no fire. I can't blow into the inlet either. What's wrong? Any help is appreciated.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,359
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Propane water heater question
If propane is anything like natural gas they have a safety valve.
Turn the valve to Pilot and hold the valve down while lighting the Pilot light. Continue to hold the valve down for a minute and release. Turn to ON and you are set.
The reason is the pilot light heats the thermocouple tube. The expanded mercury in the tube allows the main gas valve to open, it won't open if the pilot or flame goes out and lets the thermocouple tube to cool.
Turn the valve to Pilot and hold the valve down while lighting the Pilot light. Continue to hold the valve down for a minute and release. Turn to ON and you are set.
The reason is the pilot light heats the thermocouple tube. The expanded mercury in the tube allows the main gas valve to open, it won't open if the pilot or flame goes out and lets the thermocouple tube to cool.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Propane water heater question
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Jan-03 AT 07:16 AM (EST)]Sometimes little spiders build nests in the pilot tubes at the pilot end.If this is a open flame type unit,meaning not a sealed burn area.
Had this happen alot on rv''s and camp type units that didn't get used alot.
I take it this unit does have a pilot flame ? some units don't though
just work on peizo ignition.
Be careful of propane and natural gas please!!!!!!!
What ranger said also above.
Rich
02 F250 4x4 SC 5.4v8 6spd 3.73ls Trueblue/Silver and Chrome Nerfs
"All Levers"
Had this happen alot on rv''s and camp type units that didn't get used alot.
I take it this unit does have a pilot flame ? some units don't though
just work on peizo ignition.
Be careful of propane and natural gas please!!!!!!!
What ranger said also above.
Rich
02 F250 4x4 SC 5.4v8 6spd 3.73ls Trueblue/Silver and Chrome Nerfs
"All Levers"
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 229
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From: Canada
Propane water heater question
Thanks for the responses, but....
- there are no nests, etc., everything seems good. (It's a new water heater.)
- I have been trying to light the pilot just as you (and the instructions) have suggested, but the pilot does not light. I can see the flash from the ignitor, but there is no fuel getting to the pilot.
- Any more ideas?
- there are no nests, etc., everything seems good. (It's a new water heater.)
- I have been trying to light the pilot just as you (and the instructions) have suggested, but the pilot does not light. I can see the flash from the ignitor, but there is no fuel getting to the pilot.
- Any more ideas?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,359
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From: Charleston, SC
Propane water heater question
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 05-Jan-03 AT 11:52 AM (EST)]Kenny speaks the truth, air does not light. It might take as long as a minute to smell gas, get the air out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,484
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From: New Egypt, New Jersey
Propane water heater question
Just to add something important I forgot to mention (but you probably already know). 
Be sure to wait a few minutes between lighting attempts. Propane likes to sit there!
Be sure to wait a few minutes between lighting attempts. Propane likes to sit there! Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Propane water heater question
What is the heater running off (bulk tank,20-40-100 pound cylinders) do you have a pressure regulator in the line, you may have two much pressure for the service valve to handle. I think most heaters need around 7-11 inches of WC. good luck and be carefull around Propane..
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