Hot Water Heater

[ZooSax]

This past weekend we were camping and while I was away my wife accidentally turned on the LP switch fir the hot water heater. I had already turned on the electric switch since we were using shore power. The hot water worked fine all weekend but this morning as I was packing up I noticed the soot marks on the the outer grill and just above the hot water heater.

Would this have happened because I had both sources on? It appears that there is no damage to the side of the camper or to the hot water heater itself. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

2018 Jayco 30.5 MBOK
2017 Chevrolet 2500 HD Duramax.

[Grumpy]

No, running both together will not cause that. Could have been a partial spider web in the burner tube or a wasp nest in combustion chamber or something else that caused a bad gas/air mixture.

We used to run both all the time when the 5 of us were showering since it helps increase the hot water output.

[CAG]

Yes, something else is going on. I run both all the time after the first shower to heat water faster for the second person.

[sturgissteele]

As the others have said, I'd check the tube where insects like to nest/hide and clog the tube, thus limiting the air for proper air/fuel mixture.

[norty1]

X3, that soot should come off with a little elbow grease and some compound.

[Isaacs]

Spiders usually build their nests in the burner tube--they seem to like the smell of the propane. Your soot is up higher near the exhaust port. I'm betting on the wasp nest which is probably all burned out by now. Start your heater on propane for a while and keep a close eye on it.

[Jagiven]

Its ok to use both, as others said.

My experience when that happens I have a spiderweb/nest in the mix chamber and I do not have the right ratio of gas and air. I clean everything up, and it goes away.

I usually take the mixing tube off (DO NOT adjust that air mix). Clean the tube good. Then blow a lot of air (shop vac) through the flame chamber. Usually this is all I need to do.

The hard part is cleaning the wall. In the past I have used a product called Spray Power by Crown, and it removes it quickly, but I am having a hard time finding it. So I would try a product like Simple Green. It will take the wax off the walls.

[ZooSax]

Thank you all fir these quick responses. I’ll take the advice and clean the tubes. The door cleaned off very easy. Thanks again for the responses. I really enjoy this site.