5 Common Problems with Camplux Water Heaters (Troubleshooting Guide)

It is not always a happy ending with household appliances. Not even your beloved and trusted Camplux water heater is exempt from a few issues here and there. 

Within a few years of using the product, many users find their heater won’t ignite, won’t stay lit, is producing odd noises, or won’t reset despite trying multiple times. Luckily, there are DIY fixes for each of these problems. 

Sometimes, you need to replace a faulty thermocouple, such as for a heater that won’t light. Other times, you need to clean away sediments that may be causing your heater’s components to produce strange noises.

This article will go into more detail on why these common issues occur and how to fix them correctly.

Camplux water heater

Why Is My Camplux Water Heater Not Lighting?

A bad ignition pin or thermocouple, faulty water pressure switch, or inadequate gas supply is often responsible for a unit that won’t light. In tankless units, the ignition pin relies on water pressure, so a setting that’s too low can interfere with its function.

Most gas-powered Camplux water heaters like the WA528 series use ignition pins to light the gas burner. Thus, a defective ignition pin will not send the required voltage to the burner to light it up. 

However, this is not always the case with Camplux’s tankless gas water heaters like the AY132 model. Tankless models use a water-controlled ignition pin that relies on water pressure to close the circuit and heat up the water supply. 

The ignition only works when the water pressure is within 2.5 to 110 PSI. That said, the ignition won’t work if the pressure is lesser than the specified range. 

How to Fix a Camplux Water Heater that Won’t Light

So check the pressure switch and replace it if defective. Better still, get a water pressure valve to accurately control water inflow into the heating unit. 

Sediments and mineral buildups in old units and pipes can impede water flow and reduce pressure. Descale to increase the flow.

You should also check the gas valve to see if it’s fully opened. Camplux heaters will not light if there’s no adequate gas supply to the burner. 

What if My Camplux Water Heater Won’t Stay Lit?

It’s annoying when the burner or pilot light in the Camplux water heater won’t stay lit. This means countless trips to the unit whenever it runs out of hot water. 

A bad thermocouple or flame sensor is likely the culprit if your heater won’t stay lit. 

Here’s a quick test to be sure: Check the air filter below the appliance. In most cases, there’s a screen protecting the filter from debris. Check if it’s all clogged up. If not, remove the screen and run a brush through the air filter. 

Did it come up clean? If so, check the thermocouple. If the flame goes out immediately when you take your hand off the start button, the thermocouple is defective. 

Follow this DIY guide for replacing a faulty thermocouple.

Why Is My Camplux Water Heater Too Hot?

Is your Camplux water heater too hot to touch? There’s a problem if the unit’s external temperature is scalding hot. A functioning unit is well-insulated and should be warm to the touch despite its 120 to 140 °F internal temperature. 

Your heater could be too hot because of:

  • A faulty thermostat
  • Worn-down heater insulation
  • A stuck pressure relief valve 
  • Sediments and debris that are covering the heating elements
  • A corroded heating element

Often, insulation wears down and heating elements corrode when the heater is old. You may consider buying a new unit altogether if the internal insulation breaks down. However, a corroded heating element is relatively easy to replace. 

To do so:

  1. Unplug the unit before removing the back panel.
  1. Remove the wires attached to the element before taking it out.
  1. Use an adjustable wrench and rotate anti-clockwise to remove the defective heating element.

You also need to replace a faulty thermostat. For sediment buildup, simply clean up the sediment.

How Come My Camplux Won’t Turn On?

Don’t fret if your Camplux water heater refuses to turn on. This is quite common in both electric and gas-powered heaters. In most cases, the problem is easy to diagnose and solve. 

Your gas-powered indoor or outdoor Camplux water heater may not turn on if:

  • You have a loose or defective thermocouple
  • There’s air in the gas cylinder
  • There is no gas supply
  • The gas valve is faulty.
  • The battery is old or not in the correct position.
  • The incoming and outgoing water flow are wrongly placed. 

In portable Camplux water heater models, the incoming water pipe should be on the far right.

How to Fix a Camplux Water Heater that Won’t Turn On

fixing water heater

Sometimes, propane tanks are contaminated with air. To remove air from the cylinder, cycle your portable tankless Camplux water heater on and off by switching on the showerhead several times. 

Check the thermostat and circuit breaker if you use an electric water heater. Reset the unit if the breaker tripped. If the water heater won’t stay on, look for loose connections and tighten them with a screwdriver. 

But if all connections are tight and the heater still won’t turn on, it may be a faulty thermostat. Find the thermostat by opening the back panel and checking the top or bottom of the heating element.

Once there, press the red button on the thermostat. The thermostat should restart if the button goes in. If it doesn’t go in, replace the thermostat.

How to Perform Camplux Water Heater Reset

You can fix some of these common Camplux water heater problems with a reset. We recommend performing a reset after repairing or replacing damaged components within the unit. 

Perform the reset by following these steps:

  1. For gas-powered Camplux water heaters, locate the breaker box and look for the circuit breaker labelled “HWT” or “water heater.” 
  1. Flip the switch in the opposite direction.
  1. Open up the upper back panel of the unit using a suitably insulated screwdriver.
  1. Remove the insulation to see the red reset button.
  1. Press it and cover up the exposed parts of the unit.
  1. Flip on the circuit switch in the breaker box to turn it on.

Conclusion

It’s not all sugar and spice with Camplux water heaters—problems can arise when you least expect them. This article should provide the right solutions to your problems. If not, check the warranty on your unit and contact a professional.