how to light a furnace and hot water heater

[ontheroadagain]

I have a new-to-me small rv. I was told everything worked but I can't seem to figure out how the water heater and furnace light. I removed the outside cover to the water heater. I read the directions to light and it is the same as a home gas water heater. I know there is propane I just filled the tank and the stove works. I turn it to pilot and press it down but can not smell any gas.<br><br>Anyone know of online guides for lighting propane rv water heaters.<br><br>My furnace is the same deal.. no gas smell. I turned up the thermostat still nothing<br><br>Note I am not sure where to stick the match flame to light it but thought I would at least smell gas and hear a hiss but I don't. The nearest RV place wants $90 to demo how to use it.<br><br>thanks for any suggestions or links.<br>Rick

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;You might have air in the line and, if so, it can take a while before enough goes through the pilot to light it.. it's a pretty small jet.

 

[gadgetMe]

At this point in time I think the furnace is the most important thing to get to work. its 16 degrees where I am<br><br>My older camper (from the mid 80's) had a knob to turn on the gas, and depress for pilot, and a red button that you push to cause a spark to light the pilot.<br><br>I used to take me many tries to get the pilot to light but eventually it would work.&nbsp; <br><br>pretty fustrating compared to the newer electronic ones we have now.<br><br>It may not hurt to run the stove while trying to light them, just to make sure the lp is flowing<br><br><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24526843.cfm" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;">more info here</span></a></span></span><br><br>good luck<br>Putz

 

[yesican]

If I remember right...once you depress that button and a flame appeared, you had to hold it down for like 20 seconds to keep the flame going to warm the tip&nbsp;which keeps the gas flowing so the furnace would remain lit.&nbsp;Something&nbsp;like that...Have you got it going yet?<br>Rae&nbsp;

 

[ontheroadagain]

Thanks everyone for the quick replies. I have tried holding the pilot button down for maybe 30 second but still no propane smell.&nbsp; <br><br>I read online that some rigs have a on button in the coach for the hot water heater but I have not found one. Anyone have a idea where I should look for a switch??

 

[yesican]

Is the gas turned on at the tank?<br><br>Rae

 

[StarEcho]

Sorry if this seems stupid...but when I first bought my Class C a couple of years ago, and after the first time I had the propane filled...that weekend I went to the mountains where it gets cold at night even in the summer. &nbsp;I was very frustrated because nothing seemed to be working... cold air was blowing out of the furnace. &nbsp;Nothing happened when I turned on the hot water heater... Finally, I opened the outside compartment where the propane was filled and fiddled with all the knobs there...turned one of them and voila... Apparently, when they filled the propane they turned the gas off..duh...of course...but they didn't turn it on and it never occurred to me that it would need to be turned on. &nbsp; That may have been the first thing you checked and if it was, sorry I don't know what else it could be. &nbsp;If you haven't actually checked that the propane is turned on, that'd be my suggestion.

 

[blars]

My 1995 vintage RV has self-lighting furnace and water heater, and fridge.&nbsp; The propane leak detector must be on for any propane appliace to work.&nbsp; The water heater has an on-off switch, something you don't find in the home version.

 

[Guest]

Some pics or make and model number would be a help. I am an rv tech and would be able to help if I knew this info. I have never seen a propane detector prevent an appliance from lighting, it only has 2 wires for power and let's you know if there is a leak.

 

[blars]

I have never seen a propane detector prevent an appliance from lighting, it only has 2 wires for power and let's you know if there is a leak.

<br><br>My propane detector is wired to a solinoid valve on the propane line.&nbsp; A "safety" innovation that was found to cause as many problems as it cured, and isn't made anymore even as a replacement.&nbsp; So you will only find them on mid-90's RVs that havn't had them fail yet.<br><br>

 

[ontheroadagain]

thanks everyone. yes I did make sure the gas is turned on. I lit the stove to make sure it is flowing. I thought there might be a shut off under the r v somewhere near the heater or furnace but when I crawled under I found nothing.<br><br>I've looked every where for a on/off switch for the water heater but alas none found yet.<br><br>86bigred: thanks I will take some pics and model id and post them <br><br>thanks again everyone

 

[ontheroadagain]

Here is link to some photos of my hot water heater and furnace.<br>Any advice / suggestions would be appreciated. thanks<br><br><br><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://post.craigslist.org/k/ZvC0-kZg4hGfNhDgZ2Z2Og/VM9i6?s=redirect" rel="nofollow">click here for pics</a></span>

 

[Elf]

Some tips here <br><br><br><br>

 

[rverscorner]

<span id="post_message_1276471658">I turn it to pilot and press it down but can not smell any gas.</span>

<br><br>It may take some time for the gas to get to the pilot - it has a very small orifice so it does not pass much gas. Also, you may not be able to smell the gas - hold a lighted match to the pilot while holding down the button. It may take several minutes to light. Then keep holding the button for at least 30 seconds.<br><br>Your furnace has no pilot light. This is done electronically. When you turn on the thermostat does the fan start? It may take a few seconds before the fan starts up. If the fan does not start there is likely an electrical problem (fuse or disconnected wire, or something) If the fan does start, do you hear a ticking noise after the fan starts and runs for a few seconds? This is the electronic ignition trying to light the burner.

 

[ontheroadagain]

thanks elf I have seen those and watch countless youtube videos.<br><br>my problem is I don't no where to stick the flame to light the gas. <br><br>I don't think mine has auto light like the videos on youtube.<br><br>When I turn on the thermostat I don't hear anything but dead silence (and my breathing of course). I will look for fuse tomorrow<br><br>thanks everyone

 

[rverscorner]

<span id="post_message_1276494964">I've looked every where for a on/off switch for the water heater but alas none found yet.</span>

<br><br>Your water heater is a pilot ignition model. There will be no switch as it is not electronic ignition.<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://www.rverscorner.com/pics/pilotwh.jpeg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>Turn black knob to the pilot position and hold it down while holding a lighter or match to the pilot as shown at the bottom arrow.<br><br>

 

[ontheroadagain]

I have tried that where the arrow is pointing and nothing lights.<br>I only held it there for 30 sec or less. Others have said I should hold it for several minutes to let air out first so I will give that a try tomorrow. thanks again

 

[RV-Kitty]

I have tried that where the arrow is pointing and nothing lights.<br>I only held it there for 30 sec or less. Others have said I should hold it for several minutes to let air out first so I will give that a try tomorrow. thanks again

<br><br>Please let us know if you got it to light.&nbsp; <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">

 

[ccbreder]

every heater is different. But here is my experience. Old RV off eBay. (try not to do that again). Furnace had two problems, one fuse still not work, no click when turning thermostat, a simple thing with points for contact, sanded corrosion and wow it worked. Hot water was the pilot type and I could not get the thing to light. I took my prestolite torch and heated the sensore at the pilot untill, nothing. There is a tube from the pilot flame to the controller. I tightened the fittings and tried with my torch again. It lit. After the main flame lit, gas was in the pipes and it was fine until i sold it a year later. good luck, ccb

 

[ontheroadagain]

thanks folks for all the suggestions. I got caught up in some family emergency stuff and just got back on here. I still have had no luck with the heat and hot water. I will probably have to take it to someone in the spring.