Water heater questions

[Mikecop]

I just bought a 2010 29’ cougar xlite travel trailer. I have never had a camper before with a duel elec/gas water heater. And for some reason I can’t get it to come on. Trailer is plugged in, City water hooked up, opened faucets to run water and air out of the lines. But it’s not heating, checked switch on heater it’s on. Breaker is on at fuse box. Propane turned on as well. Doesn’t seem like it’s trying to light. I am not sure how the reset works, got 2 rubber covers and not sure what to push or check on valves under bottom bunk where water heater is located. I can only see 1 valve in there. Any info very much appreciated.

[Eastham]

Does it have a fully charged 12 volt battery?I believe it has to have the battery working to work on either gas or shore power.there is also a switch outside in the back of water heater that must be on. Bottom left behind the air tube.

[roadglide]

There could be a bye pass valve closed from winterizing . The valve is normally close to the water heater .

[JRTJH]

Three things to check:

1. The switch "hidden under the propane solenoid" (only on Suburban water heaters) is installed upside down, UP is off and DOWN is on...... If you have an Attwood water heater, you don't have this switch, but have an AC control module attached to the back of the water heater (under the bunk)

2. The two black rubber covers on the thermostat high limit switch locations may have a high limit switch under one or both, so with a finger, press the center of each black rubber cover. If there's a switch under it, you'll feel it "snap" as it re-engages.

3. The winterizing valve (that you found under the bunk) is the only valve on "current winterizing systems"... There is a one way valve at the top connection to the water heater (the hot water output) which prevents cold water from "backflowing" into the water heater.

The valve is a 1/4 turn valve. Pointing up, it flows through the cold water plumbing and connects to the hot water plumbing (winterization setting). Pointing down, it flows through the water heater and blocks the "bypass" tube (normal operation setting).

Chances are that you've either got the bypass set wrong and have heated the tank interior tripping the high limit switches

Or, you've got the electric element switch in the UP position, which is OFF. But that wouldn't explain why the propane setting isn't working. If (another potential) the electric element is working, once the water is hot, the propane side will not turn on until the water is used or cools below the thermostat setting (about 130-140*F)

[Roscommon48]

one question on electric. IS THERE WATER IN TANK when you turned it on? if not, you burned out the element...forget eletric heating. you need a new element.



on propane try wiping the ignitor with windex..see if that works.


another quick thought is call the previous owner to see if he turned off valves for winter.

[GHen]

Maybe a 12 volt disconnect switch is on not allowing power to the water heaters control board.

[Mikecop]

Thanks. I found the problem, and finally figured out how to answer yalls responses! First time I’ve ever did a forum. There’s a switch on the grey/ black! And water tank level for water heater. It only had htr and I guess I didn’t realize that’s what it was. So after flipping it, running water then it fired right up. Thanks for everyone’s comments, as I checked everyone trouble shooting, then got my meter and found no power. So finally found switch. I just assumed it would be on the control panel switches. Thanks again!!