How does an RV hot water heater work?

The first thing to know about RV water heaters is that they’re powered by propane. Most RV water heaters use a pilot light. Some models may come with direct spark ignition. If you have the latter installed in your RV, you’ll use a switch inside the RV or trailer to turn on the water heater once parked.

What should I do if my RV water heater is not working?

The last step of the RV water heater troubleshooting process is to turn off the LP system to check for a spark. If you don’t get a spark, your system could have an electrode that is bent or carbon grounding. Again, easy fix, quick solution. Okay, but what if you get through each of these steps and still can’t figure out what’s wrong?

How does a water heater work in an RV?

If you are unfamiliar with the standard water heater on board most RVs, allow Dave to briefly talk you through the basics. Much like a regular house version does, a smaller scale RV water heater is filled with cold water, which it then heats up to a boiling point to send to your bathroom and kitchen faucets.

How big of a water heater do I need for an RV?

They’re generally 6 gallons, but you can also upgrade to a 10-gallon heating system if you have the special and financial means. In this free lesson, RV expert Dave Solberg walks you through a quick overview of the typical RV water heater, discussing their main components and functionality.

Why is my water heater not working on electric?

If not, the tank gets too hot and a sensor will shut it off. If it’s working on electric, that’s probably not the problem. It sounds more like the ignitor is not communicating with the module board telling it that the flame has ignited which would send a signal to shut down and the light would come on?

What should I do if my RV hot water heater is not working?

If your RV has been in storage you may need to bleed air out of the line. This takes time, so be patient. If you have an electronic ignition for your hot water heater and it’s clicking, you should check for corrosion, or check to see if it’s loose or has loose wires.

If you are unfamiliar with the standard water heater on board most RVs, allow Dave to briefly talk you through the basics. Much like a regular house version does, a smaller scale RV water heater is filled with cold water, which it then heats up to a boiling point to send to your bathroom and kitchen faucets.

Why does my RV hot water heater make a roaring noise?

RV hot water heaters are small and cannot handle having two faucets open at the same allowing for hot water to flow to both. Does your propane burner make loud noises? An improperly tuned propane burner will make a “roaring” sound. Too much air mixing with the propane will cause this sound.

They’re generally 6 gallons, but you can also upgrade to a 10-gallon heating system if you have the special and financial means. In this free lesson, RV expert Dave Solberg walks you through a quick overview of the typical RV water heater, discussing their main components and functionality.