Atwood water heater 10 gal

JRMunn wrote:
I have a 2004 Sunnybrook Titan and agree with both the high water temperature and lack of temperature control for a 10 gallon Atwood gas/electric HWH. But knowing that, water temperature can be adjusted by mixing at the sink or shower valve. Instead, my main concern is that this HWH seems to use a lot of propane when in gas mode. I thought turning it down might help, but there is no control. I suppose that using less hot water would help after the HWH shuts off, but I can see a larger, stationary propane tank in my future for home (off-grid) use to reduce trips to fill the trailer tanks. In answer to another post, I can also verify that this HWH makes a lot of noise when first turned on. But, for some reason, it is less noisy when re-heating.

Atwood 10 gallon WH uses a 10,000btu burner
Propane has 91,600btu per gallon

That is 9.16 HOURS of 'continuous fire' for 1 gallon of propane used

I have a 2004 Sunnybrook Titan and agree with both the high water temperature and lack of temperature control for a 10 gallon Atwood gas/electric HWH. But knowing that, water temperature can be adjusted by mixing at the sink or shower valve. Instead, my main concern is that this HWH seems to use a lot of propane when in gas mode. I thought turning it down might help, but there is no control. I suppose that using less hot water would help after the HWH shuts off, but I can see a larger, stationary propane tank in my future for home (off-grid) use to reduce trips to fill the trailer tanks. In answer to another post, I can also verify that this HWH makes a lot of noise when first turned on. But, for some reason, it is less noisy when re-heating.

There is a adjustable thermostat for attwood. Around $28. takes 10 minutes to install. Works great. I put one in 2003 pace arrow 2years ago

Jim&Sharon wrote:
I used to think that my water heater was too hot until I measured it with a food thermometer. It was right at 120 degrees. just where it should be, so my equipment was working like it should.

I did not consider adding a mixing valve because my wife likes to scald dirty dishes, and I'm not dumb enough to tell her how to do it.

Just curious....

Where was temp taken....at faucet, at WH T&P Relief?

What Brand/Model of water heater?

Jim&Sharon wrote:
.......and I'm not dumb enough to tell her how to do it.

Wiser words have never been said!

I used to think that my water heater was too hot until I measured it with a food thermometer. It was right at 120 degrees. just where it should be, so my equipment was working like it should.

I did not consider adding a mixing valve because my wife likes to scald dirty dishes, and I'm not dumb enough to tell her how to do it.

Gray Fox wrote:
I have a 10gal Atwood water heater, is there a way you can turn the temp down, the water is very hot. We never run out of hot water...

Thats why the temp is 140, what should be available is a scald proof valve at the shower, or tub fixture, but you might have to install a residential valve to accomplish this.

ScottG wrote:
OB, anything like that for Suburbans?

Suburban uses a 130*F normal......optional 140*F
Both preset.non-adjustable

High is same on both.

Normal/High come as a SET wired together on a backing plate
120V AC Set for electric and 12V DC Set for the propane

Propane only uses same draw pan with cut out for electric and propane t-stats but only propane set used
DIYs have used that empty space when electric set is missing to install a residential t-stat that is adjustable and wired into the propane set.
BUT that is IF WH is Propane only

OB, anything like that for Suburbans?

Jim@HiTek wrote:
With that new of a WH, it's possible you have both gas and electric. Is it possible you're running the gas all the time?

If so, I'd recommend shutting the flame off and only use electric (assuming you have that heating element). While you research how to turn the temp down.

(I mention this because I've known several RV'ers who had no idea they had a dual function water heater as the electric element switch wasn't obvious).

:H