We are staying at the ocean in WA state. It is very windy today and we can't get the water heater to stay lit. Do strong winds affect whether the water heater will light or could we have a bigger problem? We are parked directly square against the wind. Beautiful view but feeling the full force of the wind. We can hear the pilot light igniting and then it goes out. We have plenty of LP so that's not the problem. And, it was working fine yesterday.
Any help would be appreciated.
Penny and Paul said
11:33 AM May 16, 2011
Try having someone block the wind and see if it says lit. If it does, you know what the problem is, you just have to decide if you'd rather have the view or hot water.. If you just need a little, say for washing dishes, you can heat it up on the stove.
flyone said
11:49 AM May 16, 2011
Yes the wind can definatly blow it out. If you were not having any trouble with it before the chances are it's the wind. Use the electric side if possible, or I have seen people fashion a small sheet metal wind block and rivet it to the face of the water heater. However you do not want to effect the water heater exhaust. My 2 cents heat some water on the stove until the wind dies down and try again.
Flyone
The Crumps said
04:59 PM May 16, 2011
Thank you for your helpful suggestions. My DH had actually looked at buying some sheet metal to fashion a protective shield, but decided to try cleaning the pilot burner assembly first. After he did that the wind died down and the water heater is staying lit. So, it might have been a combination of both, but most likely the cleaning is what did the trick. We'll know for sure when the next wind storm comes up.
Thank you all, again!
Bill Adams said
05:13 PM May 16, 2011
Do you not have an electric option as well?
53 Merc said
07:58 PM May 16, 2011
I have used an air conditioner filter to fill the water heater air intake area with good results in Oregon on the Columbia River. You have to be carreful to leave the exhaust clear. I got a small filter from Wally world (the blue fiberglass) and cut it down to size and duct taped it in place on the inside of the cover. Did the same on the frig inlet air louvers.
We are staying at the ocean in WA state. It is very windy today and we can't get the water heater to stay lit. Do strong winds affect whether the water heater will light or could we have a bigger problem? We are parked directly square against the wind. Beautiful view but feeling the full force of the wind. We can hear the pilot light igniting and then it goes out. We have plenty of LP so that's not the problem. And, it was working fine yesterday.
Any help would be appreciated.
Try having someone block the wind and see if it says lit. If it does, you know what the problem is, you just have to decide if you'd rather have the view or hot water.. If you just need a little, say for washing dishes, you can heat it up on the stove.
Yes the wind can definatly blow it out. If you were not having any trouble with it before the chances are it's the wind. Use the electric side if possible, or I have seen people fashion a small sheet metal wind block and rivet it to the face of the water heater. However you do not want to effect the water heater exhaust. My 2 cents heat some water on the stove until the wind dies down and try again.
Flyone
Thank you for your helpful suggestions. My DH had actually looked at buying some sheet metal to fashion a protective shield, but decided to try cleaning the pilot burner assembly first. After he did that the wind died down and the water heater is staying lit. So, it might have been a combination of both, but most likely the cleaning is what did the trick. We'll know for sure when the next wind storm comes up.
Thank you all, again!