Hot water

replaced our 6 gallon propane water heater with a 20 gallon short electric heater in travel trailer-put a short utility shed next to trailer w/heater inside & wired & plumbed it. works wonderful. 110 volt got it at menards

Old-Biscuit wrote:

Captain Obvious wrote:
If your water heater had an aluminum tank, it may be possible to have it welded. There is always someone advertising RV water heater tank repairs around here. I would first find out what kind of tank is in your heater and if the possibility exists for repair. No sense pulling the tank only to find out your effort was for naught.

It is my understanding that Atwoods have a glass lined tank that cannot be repaired, and suburbans have an aluminum tank (and anode rode) that can sometimes be repaired. I could be very wrong, or have things mixed up.

Got it backwards....
Atwood Aluminum Tank....if cracked can be welded
Suburban Glass-lined (that's why the anode rod).....if cracked---junk

To remove:
Disconnect water line connections on backside of tank
Disconnect 120V AC & 12V DC wiring (120V AC if electric option)
Disconnect propane line
Remove screws in outside frame
Pry caulking loose around frame
Pull entire unit out cut-out in side of RV

Then you have to remove the collars around the combustion & exhaust 'U' tube that holds tank to the external pan (you will need new collars for tank install)

Thanks, this is also what I was after. So the tank is removed from the outside of the trailer and I have to remove all that caulk stuff. It just didn't look like it was going to come out of there and when I looked from the inside that presented an even tougher road.

I found out that Atwood makes replacement tanks which is all I need beings all the electronics and whatnot are fine I just have a damaged tank. I am also considering just getting a hot water heater like you would put in a home and just plumb it in that way. Just not sure if it is doable.

Yes, 120V units exist, BUT take the time to read up on them and check out user reviews. If you think you're going to get loads of HOT water out of a 120V unit, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.

greende wrote:
There are many point of use water heaters that only require 120 volts. Lowe's and others sells them. Check online for sizes & prices.

There are many point of use water heaters that only require 120 volts. Lowe's and others sells them. Check online for sizes & prices.

Captain Obvious wrote:
If your water heater had an aluminum tank, it may be possible to have it welded. There is always someone advertising RV water heater tank repairs around here. I would first find out what kind of tank is in your heater and if the possibility exists for repair. No sense pulling the tank only to find out your effort was for naught.

It is my understanding that Atwoods have a glass lined tank that cannot be repaired, and suburbans have an aluminum tank (and anode rode) that can sometimes be repaired. I could be very wrong, or have things mixed up.

Got it backwards....
Atwood Aluminum Tank....if cracked can be welded
Suburban Glass-lined (that's why the anode rod).....if cracked---junk

To remove:
Disconnect water line connections on backside of tank
Disconnect 120V AC & 12V DC wiring (120V AC if electric option)
Disconnect propane line
Remove screws in outside frame
Pry caulking loose around frame
Pull entire unit out cut-out in side of RV

Then you have to remove the collars around the combustion & exhaust 'U' tube that holds tank to the external pan (you will need new collars for tank install)

If your water heater had an aluminum tank, it may be possible to have it welded. There is always someone advertising RV water heater tank repairs around here. I would first find out what kind of tank is in your heater and if the possibility exists for repair. No sense pulling the tank only to find out your effort was for naught.

It is my understanding that Atwoods have a glass lined tank that cannot be repaired, and suburbans have an aluminum tank (and anode rode) that can sometimes be repaired. I could be very wrong, or have things mixed up.

SMT0911 wrote:

calamus wrote:
If its one that sits Bosch makes an electric on demand that is 240 volt that supplies plenty of hot water. My cousin put one in theirs a few years ago around $200 would not try to repair it just order a new one.

Sounds like exactly what I am looking for. I don't even have a truck big enough to pull it so anytime it moves I have to have someone else pull it. $200 is right in my wheelhouse so I will look into this. If you have any other info that would be GREAT! Thanks for the reply

If I'm understanding this correctly, you are planning on replacing a propane heated tank with an electric tank that requires 240 volts? Do you have access to 240 volt power? I would suspect you don't, which means you'll want to find a propane hot water heater of the same gallon size as the one that is presently installed. The replacement may also be 120 volt heated as that is a common option.

calamus wrote:
If its one that sits Bosch makes an electric on demand that is 240 volt that supplies plenty of hot water. My cousin put one in theirs a few years ago around $200 would not try to repair it just order a new one.

Sounds like exactly what I am looking for. I don't even have a truck big enough to pull it so anytime it moves I have to have someone else pull it. $200 is right in my wheelhouse so I will look into this. If you have any other info that would be GREAT! Thanks for the reply

If its one that sits Bosch makes an electric on demand that is 240 volt that supplies plenty of hot water. My cousin put one in theirs a few years ago around $200 would not try to repair it just order a new one.

SMT0911 wrote:
Because it was over the winter and whatever water was in it froze and now it has a crack in it. The RV stays parked at our lake lot. It doesn't roll very much but I'd like to get hot water back in it without spending a ton of money.

The WH tank come out the space where you access the tank controls. Look up the service install manual for the model of heater and it will explain how to remove.