DSI Water Heater? What is it?
DSI stands for Direct Spark Ignition.
DSI means that the water heater can be automatically lighted by a switch inside the RV.
Back in the RV days before DSI, water heaters were turned on by lighting the pilot flame outside the RV albeit rain or shine…or snow or sleet. Regardless of the weather condition, you had to get of the comforts of your RV and manually light it. And this in a day when the long barbeque lighters were few and far between.
But with the invention of Direct Spark Ignition, now with just flip a switch and that’s it! All from the comfort of the inside of your RV.
Back in the RV days before DSI, water heaters were turned on by lighting the pilot flame outside the RV albeit rain or shine…or snow or sleet. Regardless of the weather condition, you had to get of the comforts of your RV and manually light it. And this in a day when the long barbeque lighters were few and far between.
But with the invention of Direct Spark Ignition, now with just flip a switch and that’s it! All from the comfort of the inside of your RV.
Operating a DSI Water Heater
Just flip a switch and that’s it! All from the comfort of the inside of your RV.
A specified switch (standard light switch or toggle), when switched, activates the propane gas in the water heater while simultaneously igniting the burner with electric sparks. Once ignited the burner will heat the water until it reaches the set temperature. Once this temperature is reached, the burner goes out. The good news with the DSI water heater is that it will restart only when the heated water is used or cools down below the set temperature.
A specified switch (standard light switch or toggle), when switched, activates the propane gas in the water heater while simultaneously igniting the burner with electric sparks. Once ignited the burner will heat the water until it reaches the set temperature. Once this temperature is reached, the burner goes out. The good news with the DSI water heater is that it will restart only when the heated water is used or cools down below the set temperature.
Types of Water Heaters
Suburban and Atwood make up the bulk of water heaters used in RVs. Both makers are proven to be extremely reliable and most importantly safe.
Added, there are different switch types depending on the options. Pictured above is a single purpose DSI LP gas switch. This when the RV's water heater ONLY runs off of the propane tanks and that's it.
The picture below is of switch for a DUAL purpose DSI water heater. Dual purpose is when the DSI water heater is set up to also run on electricity. Thus giving you the options of running the water heater on an electric power source or if you want to run it off of your RV's LP tanks; all with a flip of a switch no matter what kind of crazy weather is going on outside.
Added, there are different switch types depending on the options. Pictured above is a single purpose DSI LP gas switch. This when the RV's water heater ONLY runs off of the propane tanks and that's it.
The picture below is of switch for a DUAL purpose DSI water heater. Dual purpose is when the DSI water heater is set up to also run on electricity. Thus giving you the options of running the water heater on an electric power source or if you want to run it off of your RV's LP tanks; all with a flip of a switch no matter what kind of crazy weather is going on outside.
Safety
Direct spark ignition is easier and safer than using a pilot flame; the DSI circuit board closes the gas valve automatically as soon as the set temperature is reached.
But a word of Warning...
Make sure there is water in the heating tank before using the water heater for the first time by connecting the RV to a water source, checking to see if the bypass valve is open and turning on the on-board water pump.
But a word of Warning...
Make sure there is water in the heating tank before using the water heater for the first time by connecting the RV to a water source, checking to see if the bypass valve is open and turning on the on-board water pump.
One Last Tip...Troubleshooting
You flipped the switch, you hear the electric clicks of the igniter but it doesn't ignite?
Please make sure the valves of the propane tanks are open. If they're open, double check if they have propane in them.
It is surprisingly common to make this mistake from time to time. I know this author has!
Please make sure the valves of the propane tanks are open. If they're open, double check if they have propane in them.
It is surprisingly common to make this mistake from time to time. I know this author has!
Authored by Isaac Allen
