Water heater pilot

[sl1966]

How do you guys deal with keeping it from blowing out in windy conditions?<br /><br />I've got a standard access panel but can provide pictures if need be.<br /><br /><br />Thanks<br />Steve<br /><br />

 

[SoulRaven]

Hmmm I am not an RV'er and certainly no expert in this field... Seems to me who ever manufactured the RV would have built in fixes so this problem would not arise... I have heard of pilot light problems occurring in all RV appliances and that there was some adjustment to be done or part to be replaced... I would take it in and have a tech look at it, you dont want a build up of propane in your rig...<br /><br />Good luck and play it safe...

 

[sparky1]

be VERY careful how &amp; what you do to prevent Flame out while driving.<br />personally" i don't use mine underway- on my Motorhome i added the electric element for use in a Campground,But My Casita camper I just use the Gas.<br />&nbsp; A friend of mine added more screening---WRONG thing to do---gas built up blew the door off.<br />sparky1.

 

[sl1966]

Let me clarify what I'm after. First off I don't want the pilot lit while I'm driving. I only want to keep it from getting blown out by heavy winds when I'm stationary (a common problem from what I'm learning from other RV'rs). I'm not looking for a way to restrict airflow in either direction so much as prevent the pilot light from going out. I'm hoping someone has come up with some sort of wind baffle to combat this issue.<br /><br />The panel itself is louvered on the top quarter with the other top quarter being kind of screened. Not like a window screened but many small metal squares have been punched out of the sheet metal. The pilot itself is located on the bottom quarter beneath this and sits about 2-4 inches below it.&nbsp;<br /><br />

 

[blars]

mine is pilotless, and i don't run the water heater when driving.

 

[sl1966]

Holy moth balls ... does no one read? Seriously?!? When and where did I say I want to drive with it lit?????<br /><br /><img src="/images/boards/smilies/rofl.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br /><br />

 

[sidat202]

Are you sure the wind is blowing it out? Or maybe there is another problem and it's shutting off. <br />The setup you have should do a pretty good job of protecting it from the wind.<br />If your having a problem with the thermo coupler that will cause it to shut down. <br />I can give you some things to look for if you think that could be the problem.

 

[sl1966]

It's the wind. I was in NM when it was happening and we had gusty wind that day. I've been out with it with no wind and it stays on. I've even tested it while at the storage yard and it still doesn't go out.<br /><br />

 

[sl1966]

I found a solution on another site. A lot of other RV'rs have had this problem too. It's essentially a wind baffle and keeps wind from hitting the vent head on but still allows for air to get in/out.<br /><br />

 

[sidat202]

Some of the units have an ajustment screw to adjust the size of the flame.<br />You can turn it to make the flame bigger. Sometimes that will help in windy situations. <br />There are other ways to shield the flame from the wind, but like others have said. you don't want to restrict air flow or ventilation.<br />I would have to see it to give advise on that.

 

[sl1966]

Thanks for that ... I'm gonna look at the manual (something I should've done first)<br /><br />

 

[offroad]

everyone does know that there is a thermocouple valve that shuts &nbsp;the gas down completely, if the flame goes out. &nbsp;Right? &nbsp;should be on there as a safety valve.

 

[sidat202]

That's what I was refering to when I mentioned the thermo coupler. If the tip of it is not in the flame or gets a soot build up,&nbsp;it will shut the gas off.

 

[sl1966]

I did look at that and there's nothing built up on it. There really hasn't been a opportunity for that to happen yet due to the limited use.<br /><br />

 

[sl1966]

Thanks for the help Sid ... it's appreiated<br /><br />

 

[sidat202]

Alot of times it's not the flame being blown out by the wind. The wind will cause the flame to change direction and not hit the thermo coupler&nbsp;there by&nbsp;shut off the propane.<br />

I did look at that and there's nothing built up on it. There really hasn't been a opportunity for that to happen yet due to the limited use.<br /><br />

 

[Kisatchieman]

<p><span id="post_message_1274737686">Alot of times it's not the flame being blown out by the wind. The wind will cause the flame to change direction and not hit the thermo coupler&nbsp;there by&nbsp;shut off the propane.<br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />BINGO, SID!!!!</span></p>

 

[castle]

Its a little off-topic, but I found this link, and with this kind of set up, who needs fire? <br /><br />http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/1979-09-01/A-Homemade-Solar-Water-Heater.aspx