Troubleshooting A Fogatti Tankless Water Heater That Turns On But Won't Ignite

Updated 03/21/2025 | Published 06/19/2023

Products Featured in This Question

JR Products Compact Automatic Changeover 2-Stage Propane Regulator

(216)

$67.10

Question:

I have a fogatti fso61b that wont attempt to light the gas. When I turn it on it makes sound as if a switch is clicking on but no other sounds as if it is trying to start to ignite the gas. The control panel appears to work correctly but running a hot water tap does not turn on the unit. I have tried to determine if there is 12v power but I can not find a bare wire to connect my volt meter to. I have tried to disconnect the plastic connections past the switch but I can not get them apart. How would I expose something to test the power input or what else might be the reason my unit will not attempt to ignite the gas?

asked by: Richard F

Expert Reply:

You wouldn't find exposed wire to test the voltage on the Fogatti RV Tankless Water Heater # LSB64FR, and would instead just poke into the wire casing with your test lead and then cover the hole with some electrical tape after you're done. If the control panel/thermostat is powering on then the issue is most likely with your gas pressure being too low. These units can some times have a cap on the gas inlet that allows you to still thread on your gas line with the cap in place. You'll want to first ensure the cap is removed so gas can flow into the unit.

From there you'd want to have a qualified technician check the gas pressure and ensure that the unit is actually receiving 11" WC. If not then your regulator needs either be cleaned or replaced. If it needs to be replaced then we have the following replacement options depending on your regulator style:

Dual Tank # 37207-31525
Vertical # 108220
Horizontal # 108221

expert reply by: Kevin C

Same C.

2/11/2025

Same issue. Not hearing it trying to to ignite the propane. Should I hear clicks like with regular ever water heaters in attempting to light

Kevin C.

2/14/2025

@SameC Yes, it will make a clicking noise and then a whooshing sound when it ignites just like a residential water heater. I would check to see if the thermocouple is covered in soot and clean it off. I had another person recently have this same issue and after checking the filter on the unit discovered they had water leaking into the bottom of the unit causing issues so I would give your unit a once over to see if anything looks out of order. Checking the propane pressure like I talked about above would be the next thing I would check. Let me know what you find and we can keep troubleshooting.

Tamas K.

3/21/2025

Hi Kevin, I have the same issue that the Fogatti tankless heater does not start up when I open the faucets. However, when I open the pressure release valve it does fire up and hot water comes out of the valve. Any ideas?