RV TIPS: Atwood/Dometic Water Heater Issue

SIMPLE INEXPENSIVE FIX if your Atwood/Dometic water heater isn't working on electric or gas & if it's not the board that went bad (which would be a far more expensive fix).

[@daleswindler]

My thermal switch was not bad, but in checking it I found that the wire on the other side of the thermostat was disconnected. Thanks for your video. It helped me understand the system and consequently found the loose connection.

[@missionrvservices]

Glad it helped and that you ended up resolving your issue!

[@panaproducts3988]

Great video Drew... thanks for the straight forward and easy-to-understand video!

[@missionrvservices]

Thanks for watching!

[@barbaracox3119]

Thanks I'm headed to get 2 now, I feel pretty lucky this is the first time and I've lived in mine full time since 2017

[@MrAbsentdriver]

This is the fix for my 2018 flying house home. Thanks for your help

[@ddmacrae]

Great video and information. This was exactly what my problem was. I would have been chasing my tail for a while if I hadn't come across this.

[@joshcerasale9502]

Really appreciate you making this video! Saved my camping trip.

[@missionrvservices]

So glad to hear that!

[@joshcerasale9502]

First world problems hahaha. Camping without hot water, happy wife happy life.

[@chichirodriguez9363]

One of the better videos. Simple part. After getting light, I went to work with the shop vac.

[@missionrvservices]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@MrChiefy420]

Have the same issue. Water heater is only 6 mo. old used 2 times and Quit 2nd day on a week long trip. So far everything has power and no fuses blown so i will do that test next. What volt meter do you use? I like the one you have. Best video I've seen on this issue.

[@chicagochris1988]

I haven’t even had my new camper two weeks and used the hot water maybe 5 times. Today no ignition and electric hot water wouldn’t work either. Removed the thermal fuse plugged it right into the board and everything is working perfect again. Ordered a pack on Amazon should be here next week. Until Then I bypassed it

[@6awww]

Exactly the solution I needed. Thanks for the helpful video!

[@missionrvservices]

Great! Glad to hear that.

[@OurSecondLife]

Another outstanding tip!

[@edwinroldan8239]

Thank you for the video. I just fixed mine!

[@missionrvservices]

Awesome! 😎

[@shaevandetvort7732]

Will i still hear the clicking of the ignitor if this is the problem or would that be dead also?

[@babyfaceglobal-poweredbyro1659]

Hi there. I have a 1988 American Appliance brand 6 gallon hot water heater that won’t fire up on gas or electric. Would the fix you showed in this video possibly fix mine, or could you please point to a video about my brand specifically? Thanks in advance and sure appreciate all the knowledge you’re sharing!!!

[@missionrvservices]

First off, what a great run for that water heater! 35 years? Wow! American was bought by Suburban which is different manufacturer than the one from the video. Without being there to diagnose your water heater, it’s hard to say what may be wrong. You can still get some Parts for these units but you would have to reach out to Suburban directly to cross reference. Wish we could be more helpful!

[@josephcandela7628]

Thanks. i have a 2015 grand design 5th wheel electric will not turn on to heat water gas works great. What do you think could be the problem?

[@missionrvservices]

Could be a bad board or temperature sensor or a bad ECO switch or as simple as a bad water heater element.

[@denniscorbello2037]

Thank you this is good to know

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

Great video, did you get certified at the NRVTA ? If you did, do you recommend them ?

[@missionrvservices]

Yes I did and Yes I do! One of the best decisions I've ever made! The training and the post grad community is second to none!

[@Hugo-Hernandez]

@@missionrvservices Thank you for your response

[@michaelblock4279]

Hello, great video! I can hear my Atwood sparking to fire but then I hear a boom and see blue flames coming out of the vent. Sometimes my hot water heater fires just fine but seems like it's inconsistent. The loud boom with the blue flames coming out of the vent tells me maybe my igniter is going bad. Please help!

[@missionrvservices]

Sounds like you may have a blockage in your flue tube or in your gas supply tube.

[@vickidamron]

Thanks for info but my 2amp fuse on the solid state board keeps blowing any suggestions?

[@missionrvservices]

Unfortunately it sounds like you have a bad board 😞

[@daniverson4592]

I replaced the thermal switch and the motherboard twice. The gas unit will start and then extinguishes after several seconds. It repeats this three times and then shuts down. What are the next steps in trouble shooting the problem? The unit is a new one on a 21 nexus rebel.

[@missionrvservices]

Sounds like a bad thermal couple/igniter. Sounds like it’s not sensing the flame.

[@henrysanabria8507]

Thanks you are very kind

[@missionrvservices]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-cj7zy1vn6o]

my atwood water heater is runing at about 170 deg. how can i turn temp down .also the presure relief valve is dripping even the new replacement one

[@missionrvservices]

1. Factory preset on an Atwood is 140 degrees and that setting is non-adjustable. The emergency cut-off for an Atwood is 180 degress, so as long as that temperature is between 140-179 degrees, it's operating at normal range with no way to adjust it down. 2. Pressure relief valve - did you just replace it or has it been a while? Minerals can get in there even after a month. Did you do a thorough cleaning of the tank before installing the valve? Hard water can stick those open, but it is possible that you have a defective new valve. You can try tapping the end of it to see if it reseats. Hard to say more than that without being there. You can find a qualified tech near you at RVTAA.org.

[@RPO6464]

My Atwood gch10a-4k doesn’t heat my water in electric or gas mode. The gas comes on for a second and then shuts off. After two cycles it won’t come on anymore. Is the fuse the same issue for me?

[@missionrvservices]

No. If it was the fuse, it wouldn’t ignite at all. Sounds like you have an ECO (emergency cut off) issue, a thermostat issue or a bad board. Hard to know without being there. You’d need to put a volt ohm meter on it to check for both 12 volt DC and 120 volt AC. Follow the electric from beginning to end.

[@alanparker7473]

Drew I have the same Atwood water heater in my Discovery 40E...My electric heat is working and the gas is not working...any ideas?

[@missionrvservices]

If it is trying to ignite at the water heater on gas but is not, it could be an igniter/flame sense issue, not enough spark to ignite. Could also be a gas delivery issue. Check your propane tank, also check to see if you smell gas when the heater is trying to light. If you need a tech go to the RVTAA.org

[@33Bigdogyears]

I know you said not to run the unit without the thermal switch but can you remove it then plug straight in just to see if the switch is bad if I don’t have a meter to check the switch?

[@missionrvservices]

Though you could check it that way We can’t recommend that you check it that way, since we don’t know what caused it to fail.

[@33Bigdogyears]

Guess I need to get a mobile repair guy out here to check things out. Mine isn’t working on gas or electric

[@missionrvservices]

@@33Bigdogyears could be a board or a thermostat issue. RVTAA.org has a tech locator for your area.

[@np805smith3]

Great Advice

[@missionrvservices]

Thanks for watching!

[@Maddielove2468]

We have a 2019 jayco north point. We just replaced our thermal fuse a month ago and it’s been working great since we replaced it. Now it won’t light or tick at all. Tried a new replacement fuse and nothing. Not sure what else could be wrong. There’s a brown wire that connects to the thermal fuse. Could that have gone out?

[@missionrvservices]

Could be that the igniter is bad. Could be a bad thermostat or bad ECO (Emergency Cut Off) which is right by the thermal fuse.

[@Maddielove2468]

@@missionrvservices thank you. How can I figure out what part has gone bad without replacing everything. Either ignition or electrical board?

[@missionrvservices]

@@Maddielove2468 Use a mulitmeter to check for continuity on the thermostat or ECO. If you don't have one, you can order one from Amazon (our affiliate link) here: amzn.to/45U9K4u. There's no real way to check the board though.You have to follow the flow of power to see where it's going bad. Also, Keep in mind that there's a chance that the thermal fuse, although new, could have gone bad again.

[@missionrvservices]

In case you need a tech to come out, visit RVTAA.org and put in your city to find a certified tech in the area.

[@wheretheskygrows]

I can't remove the thermal cutoff fuse. How hard do I need to pull?

[@missionrvservices]

You have to hold one end with a pair of needle nose pliers and then pull the other end with another pair of needle nose pliers to separate it at the connectors. Do that for both ends. Good luck.

[@peggymcmanis5731]

How can I test the switch so I know if electric is getting power to board

[@missionrvservices]

There's a relay next to the water heater element that you have to check. You check for power there and at the water heater element by setting your volt meter to AC. You're looking for 120v AC.

[@JorgeJimenez-pv4dy]

I have an Atwood water heater, it turns on for 3 minutes and then turns off. What do you think the problem is?

[@missionrvservices]

Could be one of a few items. My first inclination would be you have a faulty igniter/flame sense. Reads for a minute or two then tells the board there is no flame. Could also be a faulty temp switch or eco. You need to check those with your multimeter. That’s the areas I would start. But first clean your igniter with some light sandpaper or scotch bright and see how it goes. If you need a tech, head to the RVTAA.org to find one near you.

[@nightryder1227]

Hi my Atwood water heat in my class A will not keep the water hot. It kicks on runs a while then stops working. Do you have any suggestions. I did take some of the connections lose and cleaned them. Thanks

[@missionrvservices]

Are you getting any hot water? Is it hot then goes cold quickly?

[@arnulfotrujillo5570]

Bad thermocouple

[@nightryder1227]

Yes it fills up the bath sink and then goes cold.

[@user-il8ed1el4b]

This thermo switch works like a fusible link?

[@missionrvservices]

Yes

[@fidenciovalle5882]

So my heater/fire tube is igniting but not getting any hot water to the shower.

[@missionrvservices]

Are you getting hot water to anywhere else?

[@Leeryannavy]

The thermal fuse will blows a few minutes after turning the hot water on; I’ve replaced two so far

[@alanshaw4655]

ran the multi-meter on my thermal fuse, as i guesses b4 i watched this video, sure it enough, it tested bad. although you said NOT to do the by-pass to get it working ?, i did hook the wire straight to the thermstat board, just to see if it was indeed the fuse ?, sure enough, i turned the water heater switch on, within 3 sec's it lit the water heater as normal, guess these fuses are cheap crap from china ?, my hot water heater has not been ran much at all ! ( 2015 camper ), and now i went on a weekend trip, come to find out the water heater would not light at all. checked all the fuses cept the thermal fuse outside like you did in this video, sure enough, it tested bad. JUST TO BE SURE ?!..i hooked the wire straight to the thermastat ( yes..i know you said do not do it ?, but i wanted to be 100% sure it was just this fuse ), sure enough, the water heater worked like it was suppose to do will be headed to rv place to grab some extra fuses !!. great video !!!.

[@missionrvservices]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@cody5591]

Where do I get the thermal switch?

[@missionrvservices]

amzn.to/4a7Xyzl

[@scottmathewson9540]

My gas fire lights but goes out after 5-10 seconds. Also no electric water heater. Any suggestions??

[@missionrvservices]

Possible bad ignitor/thermocouple

[@Bobodeman]

Are you located in Australia by any chance?

[@missionrvservices]

No sir. Haven’t been there yet!

[@rongray4118]

You just have to love a company that manufactures a water heater that has T&P ABOVE the propane regulator/inlet tube... knowing it will eventually leak directly onto the assembly. This little drip fouls the controls on the propane regulator, drips on the wiring and fuse, etc., etc, - so stupid of a design a Kindergartener could do a better design...why am I saying all of this? Because the drip fouled out the propane regulator on the Jayco Jayflight LOFT that we have... between the manufacturer and parts suppliers - none of these RV's are worth what we are all baring the price we are paying for them...

[@kat2533]

Is there supposed to be water in the pipe that ignites??

[@missionrvservices]

@@kat2533 no.

[@kat2533]

@@missionrvservices and if there is?

[@noahmclaughlin3005]

If the propane works, but electric doesn’t- will it be another problem then?

[@missionrvservices]

If electric doesn’t work, it could be the electric relay in the back, it could be a circuit breaker in your circuit breaker box, it could be a loose wire, it could be a bad electric element, or even a faulty switch. You have to follow the power with your volt ohm meter.

[@missionrvservices]

If you need a tech, to find one in your area, go to MyRvResource.com

[@waynerobinsonwcsd]

What about when gas is working-but electricity is not?

[@missionrvservices]

Your start following the flow of electricity. Do you have power at the element (check with multimeter)? If yes, do you have good resistance at the element? If it’s not the element where the problem is, it could be a bad relay or a faulty board at the 120v side.

[@kennethweatherford9172]

Why is my water 💦 heater putting of a smut it did not do this before I cleaned it it had a blown fuse link that comes from the board so I bye passed it and it worked but I did notice more shutting then it was before

[@missionrvservices]

Not sure what “smut” is. Maybe there is something in the burn tube. Spider webs? Acorns? Dauber nests? Bugs?