A well-known maker of gas and electric combination water heaters for RVs is Atwood.
The Atwood water heater’s safety system is its finest feature.
If the heater becomes too hot or detects a power spike, this function turns the energy off.
After that, you must reset it in order to use the water heater once again.
And it hurts your neck a lot.
Right?
Today, we’ll show you how to reset your RV water heater quickly and efficiently by walking you through this Atwood water heater manual reset instructions.
The fact that we won’t restrict this instruction to only restarting the heater is the most intriguing feature.
We will also go over some troubleshooting advice for RV water heaters, including:
- Why the Atwood Water Heater Is Gas-Free
- Why Doesn’t My Atwood Heater Light or Stay Lit?
- Gas or Electric Atwood Water Heater Not Working
- Why Is There No Spark On The Heater’s Electrodes?
- Sooting or Burner Flame
- When you release the knob or button, the pilot goes out.
- Pilot error
- Issues with temperature
- Smoking, or calming problems
So get a coffee and read this article in more detail.
Manual Reset for Atwood Water Heater: Step by Step
Reset your Atwood water heater easily by following the procedures shown below:
- Make sure the device is turned off first.
- By holding the thermostat junction box cover to the rear and using a socket wrench to pry out the nuts, the cover may be removed.
- Look for the red or white reset button on your RV water heater. The red button is located next to the circuit board. To locate the reset button, look at the image.
- Push the reset button with your finger until you hear it click. Your RV’s gas water heater’s side will continue to be flush with the top of the reset button.
- Put the junction box lid back where it belongs and fasten it with bolts.
- Turn on your water heater at last. To reset your RV water heater, that is.
Manual For Troubleshooting An Atwood Water Heater
Due to repeated usage and inadequate maintenance, your Atwood water heater may eventually begin to malfunction.
These will cause a number of problems, including the main burner not starting or staying lit, a dead pilot, no hot water, smoking or soothing, no gas, no power or gas operating, no spark on electrodes, and others.
In this chapter, we will discuss the causes of various heating issues and their straightforward fixes, which also apply to Atwood gc10a-4e troubleshooting.
Here is a tutorial for troubleshooting an Atwood water heater:
#1. Heater Is Gas-Free
Without gas supply, your Atwood water heater may shut out.
Here are some possible causes of this problem.
You may read our tutorial on how to handle the Atwood furnace ignition lockout fault if you’re having lockout problems.
- A problem with the gas valve’s solenoids
- Blocked main burner tube or orifice
- E.C.O., solenoid valve, or wiring harness loose or damaged wire connections
Solution:
Follow these instructions to resolve such problems:
- Put a new solenoid valve in place of the broken one.
- An air compressor or an attachment brush may be used to clean the orifice and the burner tube.
- On the E.C.O., solenoid valve, and wiring harness, make secure wire connections.
#2. The Atwood Water Heater Will Not Stay Lit And Keeps Turning Off
Your RV water heater may sometimes start up and then shut off.
The following causes contribute to this problem with switching off.
- Defective thermocouple
- Incorrect control board
- Faulty or problematic pilot assembly
- A bad gas supply or defective gas valve
Solution:
Continue with the next few steps to relight your water heater.
- Change the old thermocouple with a new one.
- Make a new pilot assembly
- Replace the gas valve and make sure there is adequate gas flow.
- In addition, if the control board is broken, replace it.
Note: Be aware that changing the gas valve will take a lot of work, and electrical expertise is recommended.
To discover how to replace the gas valve, see a video instructional.
#3. Gas Or Electric Atwood Water Heater Not Working
We bet the following problems are the cause of your Atwood water heater not providing hot water.
- Broken thermostat
- Unreliable control board
Solution:
Follow these steps for a quick resolution of certain issues:
- Set the thermostat higher.
- Purchase a new control board.
Note: If you don’t know how to replace the control board, replacing the control board is not a simple task.
You may watch this lesson to learn how to change the control board if you’re interested.
#4. The Rv Water Heater’s Electrodes Are Not Sparking
The following explanations might be to blame for electrodes not sparking.
- Electrodes might have sloppy connections to the primary burner.
- Porcelain electrodes with loose wire connections
- Deposit matter on the electrodes
- Circuit board fault
Solution:
Do this to address the problems:
- The electrodes to the primary burner and fasten them.
- Switch out the electrodes
- Deposits on the electrodes should be removed.
- Circuit board replacement
#5. Uneven Flame or Sooting on the Burner
The accumulation of soot occurs for the reasons listed below:
- A little or insufficient gas pressure
- Defective or imperfect main burner alignment
- Burner orifice obstruction
- Poor access to gas
- Blockages occur in U-tube
- Ineffective air adjustment
Solution:
Let’s now go through the procedures for cleaning soot buildup from your RV water heater.
- To boost the gas pressure, place the intake pressure at least 11′′ W.C. with two or more gas appliances operating.
- Perfectly line the main burner and adjust the valve.
- Use an air compressor or a brush to clean the burner orifice. Make careful while cleaning that you don’t widen the orifice.
- Put a new gas supply in place of the current one.
- Your main burner’s air shutter should be adjusted so that it always stays 1/4 open.
#6. Pilot Defect
The following are likely causes if you find your heater’s pilot is out and your RV water heater isn’t working:
- The gas pressure wasn’t adequately adjusted by you.
- Your water’s thermocouple and gas control magnet may not be strong enough.
- You don’t correctly adjust the air.
- The pilot flame of the water heater becomes blocked.
- Your heater’s “U” tube might get clogged.
Solution:
- Make careful to operate two or more appliances while maintaining a pressure of at least 11 W.C.
- Replace both the gas control magnet and the thermocouple.
- Open the air shutter by 1/4. (approximately).
- If necessary, replace or clean the pilot light on the water heater.
- Remove the block and clean the U tube.
#7. Pilot Failure After Depressing the Button or Knob
After releasing the heater knob or button, the pilot may sometimes go out.
The following are the root reasons of this issue:
- Not hot enough is the thermocouple.
- Unstable thermocouple
- faulty gas control
- faulty thermocouple
Solution:
- Hold the thermocouple for 30 seconds before releasing it.
- Enough tighten the bond.
- Switch out the gas control.
- Switch out the thermocouple.
#8. Main Burner of the Heater Is Not Lighting
The following are causes if your heater’s pilot light is on but the burner won’t ignite:
- The primary burner orifice might get obstructed or clogged.
- Faulty gas control.
- Dirt forms a seal in the “U” tube.
- The primary burner has a block.
Solution:
- If necessary, clean the orifice or replace it.
- Switch to a new gas control panel to replace the damaged one.
- sanitize the U tube.
- Clear the clog in the primary burner.
#9. Water With Insufficient Temperature
The following are the primary causes of the inadequate water temperature:
- It’s possible that the temperature selection won’t stay put.
- The bypass levers are positioned incorrectly.
- Part of the burner becomes blocked.
- Faulty air adjustment
Solution:
- The temperature option should be moved.
- Ideally place the bypass levers
- Remove the burner’s obstruction
- Set the air shutter to be about 1/4 open.
#10. Smoking and Relaxation
The following are the reasons why people smoke:
- Poor access to gas
- You don’t correctly adjust the gas pressure
- Main burner not aligned properly
Solution:
- You should change the gas supply, if possible.
- Gas pressure is set at 11. (minimum).
- Adjust the primary burner.
FAQs
Does the Atwood water heater have a reset button?
Yes, the reset button is located next to the heating element.
What causes the reset button on a water heater to trip?
A typical cause of your water heater reset button tripping is a faulty thermostat.
What causes water heater failure?
Your water heater will break down for the reasons listed below:
1. The water heaters in your RV warm up but do not heat up.
2. There is a leak of water.
3. You just get cold water.
4. The heater emits a bothersome noise.
How can I determine whether the thermostat is malfunctioning?
Your water heater thermostat’s malfunction may be determined by the warning indications listed below:
1. The thermostat is unresponsive, or the display is turned off.
2. Nothing happens when you turn on the heating or air conditioner.
How can I tell if my anode rod is defective?
Hot water that is discolored or smells terrible is the most obvious symptom that your anode rod is broken.
When a hot water heater’s liner totally oxidizes, an anode rod cannot shield it.
This could occur once every five years.
How is a propane tank valve de-sticked?
A propane tank valve must be unsticked by:
1. Shut off the whole system.
2. Before opening your Atwood water heater tank valve, wait a moment.
3. Try to ignite the grill by turning it to the “LIGHT” position.
4. If the valve is stuck, add a little oil to the stem.
5. Don’t use a wrench
How long does a circuit breaker last?
A circuit breaker has a 30- to 40-year lifespan.
The predicted life expectancy is the same for normal breakers, AFCI breakers, and GFCI breakers.
Furthermore, this estimate is reliable since it has CPSC approval (the consumer product safety commission)
Can a hot water heater’s thermostat malfunction?
Yes, a hot water heater’s thermostat may malfunction.
Here is how to determine which hot water heater thermostat is malfunctioning:
If you switch on the hot water faucet and only cold water comes out, the higher thermostat is broken.
When you switch on the hot water faucet, hot water immediately stops flowing but eventually becomes cold, this indicates that the lower thermostat is broken.
How big is a water heater’s drain valve?
A water heater’s drain valve is typically 3/4 inch in size.
This is the size of a residential hot water heater’s conventional drain valve.
A hot water heater’s lifespan is 20 years.
A hot water heater may last up to 20 years, depending on how you use it.
Conclusion
You learnt the necessity to reset the heater and how to accomplish it from this advice on Atwood Water Heater Reset Manual.
This RV water heater has a reset button as a safety feature.
The heather turns off the electricity when it detects a spike.
You may reset your electric water heater by doing the procedures we described at the start of this tutorial.
Additionally, we simplified the troubleshooting manuals and gave you simple fixes.
As a consequence, you can now identify and address any particular problems with your RV water heater rapidly.
If the aforementioned advice doesn’t work and you are unable to reset the water heater, we advise calling a qualified professional.