2013 Swift SLX 184BH water heater- Help!

[velorandy]

Hello All,

I'm currently on my 2nd trip out with our new Swift SLX 184BH, and our water heater will not stay lit. The water heater worked fine the first night, but now after lighting the pilot (RobertShaw Unitrol) and switching to on.... it just flames out.

I have no idea of what to do, and the owners manual provides no helpful information. Can't believe I'm having an issue like this on my 2nd trip out.

FYI - I got another LP tank just as a first place to start with my trouble shooting.

I have 3 females in my company that will be very unhappy about cold showers, so immediate help would be appreciated.

Thank you, Randy

[dddire]

light the stove and let it run to purge the lines, then try lighting the water heater again.

[velorandy]

Wow, that did it! Thanks so much! The trials & errors of being a newbie.

[dddire]

Glad I could help. It happens on my x17z when we refill tanks.

[RedHorse1]

I've said it before. The cumulative knowledge of this board probably spans the entire knowledge of mankind.

[tlhdoc]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

I've said it before. The cumulative knowledge of this board probably spans the entire knowledge of mankind.

2X

[bench724]

Hi Randy, we had same thing - suggestion we had that works well too is to keep pilot light burning with finger on button for about 30-60 seconds. Was told this gets the little element hot enough and will stay on / lit. Could be hogwash. It works every time.

[Threebutchers]

Originally Posted by dddire

light the stove and let it run to purge the lines, then try lighting the water heater again.

I had the same problem (erratic pilot = wont light / or stay lit) late in the season my rookie year (2012) ....makes perfect sense because I disconnect tank regularly. Thanks for the tip. - Brian

[Flyrotor]

Originally Posted by bench724

Hi Randy, we had same thing - suggestion we had that works well too is to keep pilot light burning with finger on button for about 30-60 seconds. Was told this gets the little element hot enough and will stay on / lit. Could be hogwash. It works every time.

That is the function of the little element (thermocouple), it is a heat switch which will shut your gas off if your pilot light flame goes out for some reason. Keeps from dumping raw fuel which becomes a fire/explosive risk

[ScooterDiva]

I had the same problem this past weekend when I replaced the Propane tank. I let the stove run for a few minutes. Then kept my finger on the pilot button for a few minutes to warm up. When I released it and I saw it was going to go out, I pressed the button again. Once i was able to release the button, and the pilot stayed lit, I was able to switch on the heater.