How to Adjust the Pilot on an Atwood LP Hot Water Heater
Atwood makes liquid propane (LP) hot water heaters for installation in recreational vehicles (RVs) and campers. The holding tanks come in 4-, 6- and 10-gallon capacities to provide small, medium and large RVs with hot water for showering, cleaning dishes and cooking. Atwood water heaters adjust and light from the outside of the RV through an access door.
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Instructions
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1
Place the Atwood door key inside the door lock on the exterior of the RV and turn it one quarter turn counterclockwise to open the lock. Swing the door down on its hinges.
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2
Place a small flat screwdriver on the air shutter screw to adjust the main burner flame. The air shutter screw is on the left side of the hot water heater in a small round hole. Turn the screw counterclockwise to loosen it but do not remove it.
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3
Slide the air shutter to the right so that there is yellow in the main burner flame. The air shutter is a thin metal plate just to the right of the air shutter screw.
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Slide the air shutter to the left until all yellow flames disappear and the flames burn blue.
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Place a small flat screwdriver on the air shutter screw and turn it clockwise to tighten it.
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Close the access door by lifting it up, inserting the key and turning it one quarter turn clockwise to lock the door.
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Tips & Warnings
The yellow color in a gas flame indicates too much air-to-gas mixture in the burner.
A red gas flame indicates an overabundance of gas in the mixture to the burner and is usually noticeable by the smell of rotten eggs. Liquid propane gas has a bad smell so you will notice the smell and adjust the flame to avoid serious injury from an explosion.
Turn water heater pilot lights to the "Off" position if your RV will not be used for an extended period. When an LP water heater runs out of fuel, it may explode if a spark comes into contact with the fumes.
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