Hot water heater

[coreysaunders011]

Hi there, I was just wondering if this is normal for my hot water heater to do. In the video you'll see it starts up and sounds good and strong then about 15 seconds in it changes.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

I don't have a clue why the sound changes, but the flame appears to be the proper color (meaning correct air/gas mix) both before and after.

 

[John From Detroit]

Watching carefully the flame changes at the point of sound change.. There are a few things that can cause that but generally there are but two cures.

Some rare occasions you need to clean the gas jet/nozzle Normally however if this is the case it starts out bad and stays that way.. But who knows.

More likely a slight air/fuel ratio adjustment THat is the "Window" in the pipe the flame shoots out of that's back closer to the solenoid valve. Make sure that tube is clean as well.

 

[coreysaunders011]

Yes I have cleaned the tube, I've also adjusted the sliding part that adjusts the air. Sliding it all the way in each direction doesn't seem to change the flow at all.

I'll try looking at the gas nozzle. Thanks for the replies

 

[gwinger]

Possibly the regulator dropping pressure? When it happens, turn on one of the stove burners. See if it has a good flame.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

Watching carefully the flame changes at the point of sound change

The flame changes in shape/size but remains the nice blue color of a proper air/fuel ratio. Possibly a drop in gas volume?

 

[Kirk]

I do see a color change in the flame as the sound changes. It does the change for a brief moment, returns to normal, then changes again to stay that way. Until the sound change it has a nice blue flame with brief yellow tips, just as it should but, with the change in sound the blue is mostly replaced by a clear, see-through flame and to me, that is not good. I would start my troubleshooting by monitoring the propane pressure as to me it sounds as though it suddenly increased, or somehow the air/fuel mix is changing. I would not ignore it. A sudden change in the sound and flame color of an RV water heater can indicate various issues, including problems with the burner, gas flow, or ventilation.