Hot water tank heats up and then pilot out lght

skloon · August 20, 2019, 05:27 PM

Attwood GH6-6E Last trip out it wouldn't light- I bypassed the thermostats and it worked fine- I cleaned the contacts for the thermostats and now it starts fine and heats up then it shuts off and I get the 'pilot out' light on the control panel- if I switch off and on again it works fine againe until it heats up, I would suspect the thermostats but I did just replace both less than a year ago

BrandonMc · August 20, 2019, 05:47 PM

Mine will work for a while, and then for some reason randomly just kicks off and that red light at the control panel indicates a fault - or at least it does now. It would be good to know what others have done because I am in the same position.

Rickf1985 · August 20, 2019, 07:10 PM

Have you cleaned the area around the pilot from any rust or debris and also have you set the pilot flame setting height and so that it is running on the flame sensor. Any of these will cause it to go out.

BrandonMc · August 21, 2019, 10:00 AM

Quote from: Rickf1985 on August 20, 2019, 07:10 PM
Have you cleaned the area around the pilot from any rust or debris and also have you set the pilot flame setting height and so that it is running on the flame sensor. Any of these will cause it to go out.

didn't know I could adjust that aspect. interesting...

Rickf1985 · August 21, 2019, 11:25 AM

You will see a small screw on the control that is usually marked with a "P".

skloon · August 21, 2019, 01:04 PM

Nope will look at that- although it does heat up it's only after it heats up it shuts off

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 22, 2019, 07:25 AM

An Atwood GH6-6E is a DSI model and does not have a pilot light. The light represents Water Heater Lockout

WATER HEATER LOCK OUT - GAS AND SPARK PRESENT

Gas pressure incorrect: Set inlet pressure at a minimum 11? W.C. with two or more gas appliances running
Low voltage: Correct power supply - 10.5 VDC minimum
Poor electrical ground: Secure electrical ground
Electrodes out of flame pattern: Re-adjust electrodes
Electrodes sparking to screw fastening burner to flue tube Adjust electrodes away from screw
Dirty electrodes: Clean electrodes
Partial obstruction in main burner: Clean main burner
Partially obstructed main burner orifice: Clean main burner orifice or replace
Improper air adjustment: Adjust main burner air shutter approximately 1/4 open
Flame spreader on main burner out of adjustment: Adjust flame spreader so that it is square to the end burner tube out of alignment of the main burner
Manifold not aligned with main burner: Re-align solenoid valve with main burner
Partially opening solenoid valve: Replace solenoid valve
Defective circuit board: Replace circuit board

Rickf1985 · August 22, 2019, 10:31 AM

I also thought it was electronic but when I looked up the manual it shows a regular pilot light.
https://www.manualslib.com/products/Atwood-Gh6-6e-9990191.html

DaveVA78Chieftain · August 22, 2019, 07:48 PM

Rick, that manual covers Pilot, DSI, and the new XT model units. The "E" at the end of GH6-6E designates DSI. If it was a pilot model it would just be GH6-6.
THere is a Atwood Model Brochure along with a Troubleshooting guide in the Members area under Water Heaters.

BrandonMc · August 23, 2019, 09:59 AM

Thanks for the info!

skloon · July 07, 2020, 11:22 AM

My Atwood gh6-6e hot water heater starts up fine when I hit the switch, the water heats up then when it reaches temperature the burner turns off, I hear the ignitor spark for about 2 seconds then it stops and I get the pilot out light on the control panel- If I turn the switch off and on again it lights. I have cleaned out the burner tube and checked the air gap, cleaned the orifice and the thermostats are 2 years old