How to Light an RV's Water Heater

Any number of things can contribute to a water heater not lighting. You'll need to check a few things.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rags
• Rags
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Toothpicks
• Toothpicks

General Maintenance

1. Check for soot around the exhaust of your water heater.

2. Check for adequate battery voltage.

3. Turn off the 110-volt circuit breaker if the unit has a 110-volt heating element.

4. Find the water heater's plug on the PC board by following the wires from the water tank.

5. Open the cover to the PC board.

6. Pull the plug, and then reinstall it.

7. Reset the switch to the PC board in the cab.

Clean the Pilot

8. Remove the pilot tube and orifice.

9. Soak the orifice in alcohol.

10. Clean the pilot hole with a toothpick to remove any debris or corrosion.

11. Reinstall the pilot tube and orifice

12. Make sure the air passage is free of dirt, insects or corrosion.

Tips & Warnings

• Soot deposits may form due to a dirty orifice, a dirty burner or flue tube, a misaligned burner or burner flame, bad air adjustment or an obstructed exhaust grill.
• Never light your water heater when it is empty.