How to Repair an RV Hot Water Heater With a Pilot

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Having a hot shower and warm water is a benefit of RV camping. It can be a miserable feeling after a day spent hiking, canoeing, fishing or biking when you find the hot water heater in the RV is not working properly. Don't despair. RV hot water heaters, including those with pilots, can be repaired with no damage to the pilot light and outtake valves.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Ratchet and socket set
Adjustable wrench
Matches or lighter

Step 1

Unscrew the small hatch where the pilot and pilot light are housed. Extinguish the flame. Turn off the propane at the tank and close the valve. Remove the hose from the propane tank using the adjustable wrench.

Step 2

Open the outside hot water tank valves and drain the water from the heater. Find the RV circuit breakers and turn off the breaker for the hot water heater. Locate the thermocouple, the small coil that heats the water in the heating tank. Turn the ratchet counterclockwise to loosen the attachments.

Step 3

Loosen the housing with a socket and ratchet of the thermocouple. Reach in the tank and remove it. Replace with a new one. Screw down the new thermocouple with the socket and ratchet, turning the socket clockwise to tighten.

Step 4

Turn on the circuit for the water heater and fill the tank with water. Attach the hose back onto the propane tank. Turn on the tank valve.

Step 5

Open the housing gate for the pilot light and pilot. Turn on the pilot valve and place a lit match or hand lighter flame next to the opening of the pilot tube. Light the gas so there is a constant and small blue flame coming out of the pilot tube. Close the gate and screw the closure into place.

Tips & Warnings

Always turn the gas off at the tank and remove the hose so there is no danger of explosion during the repairs.

Article Written By Eric Cedric

A former Alaskan of 20 years, Eric Cedric now resides in California. He's published in "Outside" and "Backpacker" and has written a book on life in small-town Alaska, "North by Southeast." Cedric was a professional mountain guide and backcountry expedition leader for 18 years. He worked in Russia, Iceland, Greece, Turkey and Belize. Cedric attended Syracuse University and is a private pilot.

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