RV Repair: Atwood Water Heater, ground electrodes, solenoid valve

Question
Have an Atwood G10-1E propane instant start ...started once will not start again ..water heat 2 lights are on..

          Thanks..
                            Gene

Answer
WATER HEATER LOCK OUT - SPARK PRESENT BUT NO GAS

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CONDITION
     SOLUTION


Gas pressure incorrect

Low voltage
Blocked main burner tube
Blocked main burner orifice
Loose wires on E.C.O.
Loose wire connections on solenoid valve
Loose valve wire on wiring harness

Defective E.C.O.
Defective circuit board
Defective solenoid valve
No gas to solenoid valve
Dirty connector on circuit board

Set inlet pressure at a minimum 11" W.C. with two or more appliances running
Correct power supply - 10.5 VDC minimum
Clean burner tube
Clean or replace orifice
Secure wire connections
Secure wire connections
Repair wire on edge connector or repair wiring circuit board harness
Replace E.C.O.
Replace circuit board
Replace coils or solenoid valve
Correct gas supply
Clean edge connector



WATER HEATER LOCK OUT - GAS PRESENT BUT NO SPARK

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CONDITION
     SOLUTION


High tension lead wire loose
Electrodes loosely attached to main burner
Improper electrode gapping
Dirty electrodes
Wires loose in electrode porcelain
Cracked porcelain on electrode
Defective circuit board

Secure wire connection on circuit board
Secure electrodes to main burner
Re-position spark gap to 1/8"
Clean electrodes
Replace electrode
Replace electrodes
Replace circuit board



WATER HEATER LOCK OUT - GAS AND SPARK PRESENT

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CONDITION
     SOLUTION


Gas pressure incorrect

Low voltage
Poor electrical ground
Electrodes out of flame pattern
Electrodes sparking to screw fastening burner
  to flue tube
Dirty electrodes
Partial obstruction in main burner
Partially obstructed main burner orifice
Improper air adjustment

Flame spreader on main

Manifold no aligned with main burner
Partially opening solenoid valve
Defective circuit board

Set inlet pressure at a minimum 11: W.C. with two or more gas appliances running
Correct power supply - 10.5 VDC minimum
Secure electrical ground
Re-adjust electrodes
Adjust electrodes

Clean electrodes
Clean main burner
Clean main burner orifice
Adjust main burner air shutter approximately ¼ open or greater
Adjust flame spreader so that it is square to the end burner tube out of alignment of the main burner
Re-align solenoid valve with main burner
Replace solenoid valve
Replace circuit board



EXCESSIVE OR INSUFFICIENT WATER TEMPERATURES

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CONDITION
     SOLUTION


Bypass kit valves not set properly
Thermostat not seated against tank
Defective thermostat

Place valves in proper position
Reseat thermostat
Replace thermostat



ERRATIC BURNER FLAME OR SOOTING

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CONDITION
     SOLUTION


Low gas pressure

Poor gas supply
Improper air adjustment

Poor main burner alignment
Mis-aligned burner flame spreader

Blocked burner orifice
Obstructed main burner
Obstructed "U" tube
Obstructed exhaust grille

Set inlet pressure at a minimum 11" W.C. with two or more gas appliances running
Replace gas supply
Adjust main burner air shutter approximately ¼ way open - flame should be mainly blue and quiet
Adjust valve and main burner alignment
Align flame spreader so it is square with end of burner tube
Clean orifice - DO NOT enlarge orifice
Clean main burner
Clean "U" tube
Remove obstruction



NO SPARK AND NO GAS

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CONDITION
     SOLUTION


No voltage
Dirty edge connector on circuit board
Defective thermal cut-off
Defective ON/OFF switch
Defective circuit board
Defective thermostat

Correct power supply - minimum 10.5 VDC
Clean edge connector
Replace thermal cut-off
Replace switch
Replace circuit board
Replace thermostat



INTERMITTENT IGNITION - FAILS TO IGNITE

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CONDITION
     SOLUTION


Cracked electrode ceramic
Chattering or fluctuating thermostat
Insulation on electrode wire cut or damaged
Ground screw at top of circuit board not tight

Loose ground wire on valve
Poor ground at electrodes

Replace spark electrode
Replace thermostat
Replace electrode
Tighten ground screw - if stripped, replace with larger screw
Tighten ground wire screw
Loosen electrode attachment screw and retighten