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Post Info TOPIC: Suburban SW6DEA gas hot water system does not fully light itself
tenpro


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Suburban SW6DEA gas hot water system does not fully light itself
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Like so many other caravan owners I have a Suburban SW6DEA gas hot water system in my caravan. I used it once successfully about 3 years ago and then on every successive trip I did so much swimming at public pools that I would shower there and have therefore not tried to use it again until a couple of weeks ago.

 

However, I cannot get it to light. After turning it on, on each of the 3 automatic attempts to light itself, the pilot light bursts into flames and then 4 or 5 seconds later it goes out. I have tried this at least 20 times.

When I Googled this, it was suggested that I try using compressed air to clean the thing out as cobwebs and other stuff can cause this problem; this was also the suggestion of the 2 caravan repair places in Warrnambool that do not service gas hot water systems and could not suggest anyone who can. However, this is easier said than done as the 2 air compressors that I have are not powerful enough and the local hire place only has a massive much too powerful very large air compressor on a trailer. The caravan is being stored on a farm 20ks away and after sampling the air stream that comes out of a service station tyre inflator, I do not think it is worth all the trouble of taking it to a service station as I do not think it would be powerful enough to properly clean it out either.

I live in Warrnambool on the Victorian south west coast and I cannot find anywhere near here that will service it. Can anyone advise where I can get it serviced in Warrnambool or not too far from Warrnambool?



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Mike Harding


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I suppose it's worth a go but I doubt blowing air around it will do much.

It sounds as though the thermocouple is not sensing flame and thus shutting things down... as it should.

I suggest you Goggle or Yellow Pages "gas fitters" and call a few to see if one will look at it, it should be a simple fix if I'm correct.



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Brodie Allen


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Mike Harding wrote:

I suppose it's worth a go but I doubt blowing air around it will do much.

It sounds as though the thermocouple is not sensing flame and thus shutting things down... as it should.

I suggest you Goggle or Yellow Pages "gas fitters" and call a few to see if one will look at it, it should be a simple fix if I'm correct.

 I agree - I have exactly the same problem. I do find though that opening the door and even blowing a slight

draught onto the works definitely helps getting over those first few seconds - certainly implicates the thermocouple.

 

I haven't done anything about it because I rarely use gas heated hot water.



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yobarr


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Whilst I know zilch about Suburban Gas systems if you Google "Caravans Plus" you will find that there is an wide range of information that may help you. Good luck. Cheers

 

 

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-- Edited by yobarr on Sunday 21st of August 2022 02:27:41 AM

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Onedodger


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My friend had your problem.
Our fix was to blow out the burner compartment with a Ryobi garden blower blowing into this compartment and the amount of dust and rust etc that came out was amazing. we then cleaned the thermo coupling by simply wiping it down with a cloth soaked in Metho. Left it to sit for some time then turned it back on and it took 2 goes to light properly then worked correctly as normal.
Having said all this if you are not familiar with the hot water service find a gas plumber.



-- Edited by Onedodger on Sunday 21st of August 2022 11:51:20 AM

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Cupie


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My earlier model with manual start only the pilot flame would start & never the full heater flame/jet.

Turned out to be the gas regulator faulty & not passing sufficient gas pressure.

It seems that regulators only last 6 or 7 years before becoming clogged with the stuff that is added to give the gas a detectable odour.



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Chris61


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Check out video in link below for some ideas



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