Hot Water Heater

[stengels]

Here's another issue that perhaps someone can address for me. I have generally always run both electric and propane for my water heater and it has always done great. Last weekend, one of my tanks ran out. The other tank is virtually full. When the temperature in the tank drops to the certain level, the DSI FLT red light comes on. I can go out and hear the igniter going, but it doesn't always light. I think from reading that after 3 sequences, it stops trying. If I switch the gas switch off on the console, then turn it back on, it will ignite about half of the time. Any thoughts.

[WeBeFulltime]

Originally Posted by stengels

: Last weekend, one of my tanks ran out. The other tank is virtually full.

This is confusing to me. When did they start putting 2 "tanks" on the Montana?

[1retired06]

He is referring to his propane tanks. I don't have an answer for that issue.

[rslopez65]

Don't know if this could be your problem but I copied it from the owner's manual.

"The “excess flow device” is a safety feature that is designed to detect a large leak in the propane system such as a broken gas line and reduce the flow of propane from the bottle. It also activates when the propane bottle service valve is turned on and the propane system is not completely closed such as when the range burner is left on. the device is not designed to completely stop the flow of propane, but to reduce it to approximately 20,000 BTUs/hr.
When activated, one appliance at a time may operate normally, however, when a large demand is placed on the system such as turning on several appliances or the furnace, they will not receive suffcient propane pressure to operate properly. Follow the procedure below to avoid inadvertently activating the “excess flow device” and to operate the split bottle propane system.

Follow this procedure for the following conditions: After refilling either or both bottles; After any part of the propane system has been disconnected; Appliance burners are not operating correctly; Low operating pressure exists downstream from the regulator when operating heavy demand appliances such as the furnace.
1. Verify both propane bottles contain suffcient propane. Reffill if necessary.
2. Close both propane bottle service valves.
3. Attach the propane pigtails to the service valve.
4. Close manually operated gas valves on the range or water heater.
5. Turn the indicator on the regulator to the bottle closest to it.
6. Slowly open the service valve on the bottle closest to the regulator. is is typically the bottle on the entry door side. Open the valve all the way.
7. Slowly open the service valve on the bottle that is furthest from the regulator until you can hear gas start to flow through. Do not open the valve all the way. Wait 1 minute.
8. Re-close the service valve and then slowly re-open it all the way. The system is now ready to operate."

Hope this helps.

[stengels]

Thanks rslopez. I'll give that a try. I'm wondering if my one empty tank is throwing it off. It's on the side of the water heater.

[twindman]

I don't remember if you tried the stove too. If you can't get the water heater to work, turn on and light all the stove burners. If they work, it isn't your tanks that are the problem.

[stengels]

Burners are all working. Just fired up the furnace and it lit up immediately!

[rohrmann]

If none of the suggestions work, you may have a bad pigtail, one of the flex lines that attach to a cylinder. One of mine had the excess flow valve lock up, and would not allow enough gas to flow. The only fix was to replace it. I ended up replacing both, as the cheap lines had stiffened so bad that I was afraid they would break soon.

[stengels]

Took off the tube and cleaned it out. Went ahead and changed out the anode rod. Hooked everything back up and the burner fired up for about 30-45 seconds, then stopped. Frustrating.

[stengels]

Problem is, I think my electric element is shot. may change it out in the morning just to have some hot water.

[stengels]

Found out today that the gas valve was bad. Getting one ordered today. My install on the electric element went without a hitch, so I have hot water again.

[twindman]

No more cold showers!!!

[stengels]

Valve replaced on Thursday. Works like a top. Checked for gas leaks. None present. Thanks to all for your input.