Our portable water heaters have a control system operated by water pressure. This includes the models L5, L10, EL5, EL7, EL10, CEL5 and CEL10.
If your portable water heater is not heating the water enough, first thing you can do is try to adjust the gas knob all the way to maximum and the water knob torwards to the minimum. The less water moving through the water heater will allow for a higher temperature.
If you still are not getting water hot enough, below are some things you can check.
1. Brass Fitting
Check the brass fitting on the end of the regulator hose where it screws into the heater.
There should be a black washer inside that fitting. They tend to fall out and remain in the plastic bag. Just push it back in. Without the washer, the pressure is not sufficient to sustain combustion*.
*Note – the black rubber washer is on our older models. Our new models have a flared gas fitting and there is no need for the black rubber washer. In addition, some models have a permanently affixed brass fitting. If it does not detach easily, do not try to remove it.
2. Elevation
You are operating the water heater above 2,000 feet. Operating above this many feet can cause gas issues. Please consult with a gas technician on what adjustments may need to be made to your regulator to make this product operable above 2,000 feet.
3. Flame
Look into the viewer panes (3 teardrop-shaped windows on the front cover) to see if there is a blue flame. If the flame is yellow, this could indicate a gas leak or gas regulator issue. This could also indicate debris is in the burner.
4. Gas leaks
Check for gas leaks with soapy water and check to ensure that your hose and regulator are properly connected to your propane tank.
5. Temperature increase
You are trying to heat more water than the heater is capable of heating. At 1.5 gallons per minute, you will raise the water temperature 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Please keep this in mind.
Please note: Your incoming water temperature will play a major role in the achievable temperatures your water heater can reach. The colder the incoming water is, the lower the achievable temperature will be. Variable factors such as incorrect or imperfect installations and varying incoming water temperatures may yield different results.