I just got a Mr. Heater Base Camp water heater and while it works great, it sounds like it has a ball bearing rolling around in it. Just curious if you guys that have one have experienced the same thing or if I should send this back. Too expensive to have one that might not hold up. Thanks guys.
Mr. Heater Base Camp water heater owners/users
- Thread starter Higbean
- Start date
Fear not - mine is the same. What you are hearing is the "Tilt Switch". When you remove the back cover, you will see a spherical bulb that contains a ball bearing. When the ball rolls off the bottom of the sphere, the system senses it's been tilted and cuts off the propane. I was concerned at first as well... but it's just a safety switch.
I actually used this to my advantage. I wired in a switch from the tilt switch wire terminals so I can choose when I want hot water or cold water. By flipping the switch, I trick the system into thinking it's been tilted. In this case, the pump still runs, but no propane is flowing and no ignitions occurs which gives me cold water. Turning the switch "off" returns the unit to it's factory setting.
-JM
I actually used this to my advantage. I wired in a switch from the tilt switch wire terminals so I can choose when I want hot water or cold water. By flipping the switch, I trick the system into thinking it's been tilted. In this case, the pump still runs, but no propane is flowing and no ignitions occurs which gives me cold water. Turning the switch "off" returns the unit to it's factory setting.
-JM
Yuman Desert Rat
Expedition Leader
Brilliant! ! As soon as I get mine I'm doing that!!
kb7our
Explorer
Agree! Unit should come this way. Great mod. Now to figure out a way to actually plumb it to a water tank vs. drop in.