Water heater LP diagnosis

[rklus16]

Trying to figure out the exact issue when using LP with the water heater...Normally when we get to our destination I kick on LP to get the water up to temp quickly and then switch it over to electric. This last trip the LP would not lite. I could hear the propane kick on and a click click click sound like it was trying to fire but wouldn't. I finally lit it with a butane lighter and it worked till it shut off.

I was thinking that this would mean the ignitor isn't working but I'm not sure what the clicking sound is or coming from?

Any ideas? thanks

[Thomasbeau]

Check the gap between the electrodes of the ignitor. We had a similar issue and the gap was too close. The gap should only be about the thickness of a quarter.

[rklus16]

I'll take a look at that. Thanks for the suggestion.

[JRTJH]

In addition to the gap measurement, use a toothbrush to clean any carbon or spider webs off the electrode and the ground point. Often during storage, spiders will build webs in that area and any carbon will reduce the intensity of the spark, often to the point the ignition system can't produce enough spark to ignite the propane.

[rklus16]

Fixed the issue quite easily... I believe it was just a loose connection to the ignitor but I took it apart to clean the contacts anyways even though they didn't look bad.

Thanks for the help!