Water heater not working but not cause I'm newbie?

[JoanneLowe]

Morning all,
We are new to caravanning and found out there was a problem last weekend when we took it out for the first time and have brought our caravan home this morning to try and work out why our whale water heater isn’t working.

Sorry – I’m not very technical – but let me run through what we have done so far and if anyone has any thoughts, then I would really REALLY appreciate it.

OK, we have filled the tank with water and have run it through taps so the pump system is fine. We don’t seem to be having problem with the gas since the oven/fridge and space heater is working ok.
Our panel to control it looks like this:

And I understand how it use it but none of the lights turn on to show it is working or if there is a fault. Basically, I can hear a repeated clicking coming from the tank and nothing else happens. This stops when I put the panel into the off position. I think it sounds like the ignition for the gas but it also does it when trying to power up the system using mains?

Can anyone offer any advice please please PLEASE?

I’m hoping it’s something obvious as everything is working perfectly.

Thanks so much

Jo

 

[swpostie]

You forgot to include the pic of the control panel!

 

[Thingy]

Have a look first of all where the heater is vented outside the van. Does the vent have a cover on it, if so the heater wont light on gas until its removed which may explain the clicking sound. Many vans have an isolator on each has pipe, as the còoker and heater work make aure the gas to your water heater hasnt been isolated. Check on your consumer unit, you will probably have a switch there for your hot water unit, make sure that is turned on.

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

You forgot to include the pic of the control panel!

Click here for how to add photos.

 

[Hutch]

Hi Joanne, welcome to the forum, as the other items are running on gas, is the isolation vale (tap) to the water heater, turned off . Basic but possible. ?

 

[tenpole]

I vote for an isolation valve for gas supply. Never tried to run heater with gas and electric at the same time, I suppose it would.

Today happily I have sorted all heater problems, replaced all valves and tested for operation on both gas and mains electric.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Jo,
Please tell us which make and model of heater you have.

 

[saint-spoon]

the clicking tells me that it is trying to ignite so as has been mentioned you have probably got a gas isolator closed or it could be the lack of ventilation from the heater cover.

 

[Craigyoung]

Havent you got to take the flu cover off outside so it will ignite though ? I dont run on gas i always have ehu but just trying t remember what i was told about the gas ages ago ?

 

[Thingy]

Yes. If a cover is fitted, the gas wont ignite.

 

[captain1]

on my bailey if the window above the flu is open the gas will not light close the window works fine on gas.
hope it helps

 

[ProfJohnL]

on my bailey if the window above the flu is open the gas will not light close the window works fine on gas.
hope it helps

That should not happen. That is a HEalth and Safety issue. and it suggests there is something potentially quite seriously wrong with the heater and or its installation. I serious suggest you should not use it until it has been fully checked out by a competent person.

 

[martindf3]

on my bailey if the window above the flu is open the gas will not light close the window works fine on gas.
hope it helps

That should not happen. That is a HEalth and Safety issue. and it suggests there is something potentially quite seriously wrong with the heater and or its installation. I serious suggest you should not use it until it has been fully checked out by a competent person.

Windows can be fitted with a microswitch that shuts gas supply off when the window above flue is opened . I've left my cover on a few times and tried to light the gas heater , then realised cover is on, taken it off still wont light . It has a timer on it .Leave it 15 mins and try again no problem .Thats done to clear excess gas . I did once force the issue and attempted to light it after doing it too many times and got a woofer out of outlet , it worked then .

 

[sgtangel]

Morning all,
We are new to caravanning and found out there was a problem last weekend when we took it out for the first time and have brought our caravan home this morning to try and work out why our whale water heater isn’t working.

Sorry – I’m not very technical – but let me run through what we have done so far and if anyone has any thoughts, then I would really REALLY appreciate it.

OK, we have filled the tank with water and have run it through taps so the pump system is fine. We don’t seem to be having problem with the gas since the oven/fridge and space heater is working ok.
Our panel to control it looks like this:

And I understand how it use it but none of the lights turn on to show it is working or if there is a fault. Basically, I can hear a repeated clicking coming from the tank and nothing else happens. This stops when I put the panel into the off position. I think it sounds like the ignition for the gas but it also does it when trying to power up the system using mains?

Can anyone offer any advice please please PLEASE?

I’m hoping it’s something obvious as everything is working perfectly.

Thanks so much

Jo

Hi Jo,
We very rarely use the gas to heat our water when on site - it helps with a quick start-up if you need hot water quickly, but other than that, we simply use the immersor switch. In Carver systems, you can simply switch on and leave alone - the system will turn on and off as it needs, keeping your hot water supply ready at a moments notice.
If you run it on mains, there will be an electrical switch, probably with an indicator light, somewhere near the heater, possibly near to an electrical socket. (On our 1993 Swift, it is on the wall of the front seat, directly beneath the control panel, and only a few feet from the heater itself) If you were feeling adventurous, you could try locating the cables at the heater and tracing them to their final destinations. If you tried this option - at least it would let you know if the water tank itself is all working...and you would then know there is an issue with the gas side.... although I have to agree with the other comments, the clicking suggests the system is trying to ignite, but there is no fuel, therefore either a blockage or isolator in the gas line leading to the fire would be an obvious place to start...

 

[ProfJohnL]

on my bailey if the window above the flu is open the gas will not light close the window works fine on gas.
hope it helps

That should not happen. That is a HEalth and Safety issue. and it suggests there is something potentially quite seriously wrong with the heater and or its installation. I serious suggest you should not use it until it has been fully checked out by a competent person.

Windows can be fitted with a microswitch that shuts gas supply off when the window above flue is opened . I've left my cover on a few times and tried to light the gas heater , then realised cover is on, taken it off still wont light . It has a timer on it .Leave it 15 mins and try again no problem .Thats done to clear excess gas . I did once force the issue and attempted to light it after doing it too many times and got a woofer out of outlet , it worked then .

Martin,
Thank you for your point , and I confess that I had misread Captains post, in my mind the I had the logic reversed such the heater would only operate when the window was open Opss. :huh:

Thinking back I have heard of the microswitch solution, but never actually come across one. Even so I do have concerns, because as we know from the many taps that fail, some microswitches are not very robust, and couple that to the abysmal quality control of caravan manufacturers, I would be always wary about the reliability of such an installation.

 

[Mel]

One time I was sitting outside my van and there was a THWUMP and the cover of the gas water heater of the van on the next pitch shot up into the air and landed at my feet.

 

[captain1]

I only know its on the bailey because before going to the dealer I looked in the book that came with the caravan I cannot see the switch but it must be there some where because it works
talking of micro switch what a joke the electric flush toilet can be it must be a joke because no one would have been paid to design that pile of s--t
captain

 

[martindf3]

One time I was sitting outside my van and there was a THWUMP and the cover of the gas water heater of the van on the next pitch shot up into the air and landed at my feet.

I didn't want to say this but just as gas water heater fired up with as you said "THWUMP" ,The postman was walking past looking at heater Exhaust with a puzzled look on his face , then I put 2 and 2 together and the green light stayed on, on the control panel instead of turning red . I also think if any spiders were in there I don't think they would cause a issue any more .