A step-up from the manual LP gas water heater is the LP gas model with Direct Spark Ignition or DSI. What DSI means is, rather than going outside to manually light the water heater with a match or striker you light it from inside the RV at the touch of a switch.

What does DSI fault mean?

DSI means direct spark ignition. FLT means fault. That means it tried to ignite the burner on the water heater but failed. First thing is to check your propane supply. 2nd (for me) would be to check the burn chamber to see if it is clogged with carbon flakes.

What is electric DSI?

DSI is Direct Spark Ignition….so you are not required to stand outside with a box of matches – simply flip the switch inside the coach.

How do I make sure my RV water heater is full?

You can tell if the RV hot water heater is full by first ensuring your fresh water pump is “on”, or you are connected to city water, then turning on a sink or shower hot water faucet and letting it run until water continually flows out. If the water spits and sputters, run it until it flows out smoothly.

Should I leave my RV water heater on all the time?

It’s safe to leave your RV water heater on all the time, just like at home. You’ll want to make sure that there is always water in the heater.

How do I know if my RV water heater is gas or electric?

Remove the access panel on the side of the water heater and look inside for a blue flame. This is called a pilot light and indicates the presence of natural gas. If you see a pilot light, you have a gas water heater. Electrical water heaters do not have pilot lights.

How long does it take an RV water heater to heat?

RV water heaters typically take 20 minutes to heat up the water. It also depends on how many gallons of water is in it if there are 10 gallons it can take longer to heat up.

What does the reset button do on a water heater?

Your water heater reset button is a safety device that shuts off power to your water heater when the water temperature inside it exceeds 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Side note: the reset button is also sometimes referred to as the ECO (emergency cut off) switch or “high limit safety thermostat switch”.

Is there a reset button on RV water heater?

When conducting your RV water heater troubleshooting steps for this unit, you will want to locate the control panel. Look for the DCI lights on the panel. If they are lit, you will need to go outside and push the reset buttons on the water heater.

Should I leave my propane water heater on all the time?

It only takes a tiny spark to ignite highly combustible propane gas – which can mean an explosion or fire in case of accident. The simple and safe answer that you should not leave your RV hot water heater on all the time if it is propane powered.

Article first time published on

Where is the hot water heater bypass valve on a RV?

Your RV water heater bypass valve is located at the back of your water heater – inside your RV. The front of your RV water heater is where you will find your water heater anode rod and drain.

How often should I drain my RV water heater?

How Often Should I Drain My RV Water Heater? You should drain your RV water heater at the end of every season, anytime it’s stored for more than two weeks, or if there’s a possibility of it freezing.

What is gas DSI?

The DSI stands for direct spark ignition. The sparking is controlled by a control board and the light should come one when the unit’s thermostat is calling for heat. That heat is provided by burning propane which heats the water in the internal piping (a tank in one that has a reservoir).

Do Dometic water heaters have anode rods?

Atwood (Dometic) water heaters are made of light-weight aluminum tanks and do not have an anode rod.

How do I reset my Atwood RV water heater?

  1. Turn off the power on the Atwood Eco water heater. …
  2. Pull the junction box cover away from the water heater. …
  3. Push the reset button in with your finger until it clicks into place. …
  4. Place the junction box cover back onto the Atwood Eco and secure with the retaining nuts.

How long does a 20 lb propane tank last in an RV?

On average, a 20-pound propane tank will run your RV furnace for about three hours of continuous use.

How long does a 30 lb propane tank last in an RV?

That means that a 30 lb. propane tank can run our appliances for 16 hours before running out.

How much propane does a RV hot water heater use?

A camper or travel trailer with a 6-gallon Suburban RV water heater rated at 10,000 BTUs will burn through 20 pounds of propane in about 42 hours of continuous use.

Why is my electric hot water heater not working?

No Power or Gas If an electric water heater is not producing hot water, it could be a simple problem like a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker. Additionally, some electric water heaters have a circuit-style safety switch located near or on the thermostat.

Can electric water heaters explode?

Explosions are possible with both gas and electric tank water heaters, primarily those that are poorly maintained. You can avoid such a catastrophe when you identify the signs a water heater might explode so you can call for plumbing service immediately.

Why is my gas hot water heater not working?

No Hot Water — Gas Water Heater. If a gas water heater isn’t heating, a common problem is usually that the pilot light has gone out. This may be caused by the gas valve, the natural gas supply, or—more likely—the thermocouple located next to the pilot light.

How do I reset my RV thermostat?

Press the “+” button and, while holding it, also press and hold the On/Off Mode button for three seconds. LCD will show ― ― . Press the On/Off Mode button again to turn system off. This completes the initialization.

Is there a reset button on Atwood water heater?

The junction box cover can be removed from the water heater. The reset button is close to the heating element. If it needs to be reset, the reset button is protruded out.

Why is the water in my camper not working?

Generally, if your RV water pump keeps running even when you’re not actively using it, it indicates that you have a leak somewhere in the system. This might be due to something as simple as a loose connection or something as annoying as a crack in one of your lines or a defective RV water pump pressure switch.

Why is my hot water not getting hot?

A water heater that produces no hot water may not be getting power, may have a tripped limit switch, or may have one or more failed heating elements. First, check the water heater’s circuit breaker in the service panel to make sure it hasn’t tripped. If the breaker has tripped, switch it off, then switch it back on.

What should it cost to replace a water heater?

Hot Water System TypeAvg. Hot Water PriceAvg. Hot Water Installation CostSolar Hot Water System supported with Electric Power$3650 to $5050+$2050 to $3550Solar Hot Water System supported with Gas$4950 to $6550+$2050 to $3800Heat Pump System$3350 to $4050$1050 to $2550

How long do you hold the reset button on a hot water heater?

Some heaters may not click when you press on the reset button. If you don’t hear the click even after pressing on the button for about five seconds, reassemble the heater anyway. It will probably still restore hot water.

How long does it take for a 6 gallon water heater to heat up?

If you have a 6 gallon water heater, expect it to heat at 17.8 gallons per hour and take 20 minutes to heat up. If you have a 10 gallon tank, it can take about 33 minutes to fully heat up.

How does propane water heater work?

How it works: A propane tankless water heater uses a flame so hot you don’t need to keep water sitting in a storage tank, eating up energy dollars while it waits to be used. You simply turn on a hot-water faucet. A flow sensor will activate a propane gas burner to heat the water.