Whale heater difficult to ignite on gas

I have a 2021 Symbol that I have owned since February. I tried to get the Whale space heater to light but it tries to ignite as you can hear it making all the right noises the green light on the control stays on for a few seconds then it goes off. It does this cycle 3 times then the red light comes on and the code says check gas and regulator which are all OK as the fridge and water heater are on. After a couple of times of doing this it eventually lights by which time we have warmed up anyway

Exactly the same as mine. I've just got used to it. In the early days I took it to Marquis twice to get them to raise a warranty claim, but of course it lit first time when I was showing them. It makes no difference if other gas devices are on or not, what the temperature is, what altitude you are at. Sometimes it works well, sometimes it doesn't.

I can normally get it going in a couple of minutes. I'm sure I read somewhere that when you get a lockout you have to wait for a while or it won't reset. I discovered accidentally that's not actually true. The procedure is

1. press and release the heater button so it lights up
2. press and hold the heater button, and momentarily press +, then release the heater button (all in the space of a second or so)

This normally resets it instantly. Then you can switch it back on and try again. It's never failed to light by the third cycle.

Now the warranty has expired I may take it to Propex in Ringwood sometime. I've been told they are experts in all things Whale.

Similar experience to V8oholic’s. If the system hasn’t been used on gas mode for several weeks then l find it can be tricky to light. I think our worst case has been 2 or 3 lockouts before it lit. It seems to be a common problem but so far it hasn’t been serious enough for us to refer it to a Whale service agent.

Tim

So, as I posted earlier, anyone got a solution to a Truma beheving similarly. Unfortunately, after the temporary phase mine now won't start at all

Tony

Bigt99 wrote:So, as I posted earlier, anyone got a solution to a Truma beheving similarly. Unfortunately, after the temporary phase mine now won't start at all

Tony

Best not to confuse this thread, which concerns a Whale system. Better to stick with the thread you’ve already started for a Truma system.

Tim

There has been a mod with a longer exhaust pipe but how you find out if your van has had it I don't know.  Maybe whale or as could tell you. See you on another rally fixed

Thanks all. I think as saud here it is an under use issue. I have tried lighting it on gas every morning since we have been away and it is getting easier to light. When we are back home I think I will have to fire it up once a week

As an update I still can't light the heater easily so I got in touch with Whale who said that the heater is designed to try and ignite 5 times before locking out. And if the heater locks out and resets ok then there isn't a problem and to contact an approved engineer if I still feel there is a problem. Think I will see how things go and mention it on next habitation service if it is still a problem

Well, I feel there’s a problem. After all, their water heater lights first time, every time. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect the same from the space heater!

I agree. I have no problem getting the water heater ro fire up. By the time the I have messed around trying to get the heater fired up I have warmed up anyway