Forum Discussion

MotorPro's avatar
MotorPro
Explorer
May 17, 2013

Hot Water

How long should it take for an Attwood 6 gal propane water heater to get up to temp? I have heard people say to turn it on 10 min before you need it but mine takes about half an hour to get hot.
  • I am not sure but I am guessing on ours, but after driving say 75-100 miles my hot water is so hot that I have to use some cold with the hot or I will get burnt? The next morning it will be just right. Could it be that my water tank sits above the mufflers? The MH is 31 years old.
    Yes I know climb under it and look. But it would take me longer to get back up than the water heater to warm up...
  • Thanks I have cleaned the burner and the chamber. The flame looks right I just wanted to make sure the time was ok.
  • I get hot water after 10 mins, but the flame doesn't shut off until the tank is fully heated 20-30 mins later.
  • Sounds about right from cold. The one on my TT had both gas and electric so I would run both which helped a lot....especially for a quicker recover between showers.
  • We always heat the water electrically and it takes 15 minutes for the water to get hot enough for dishes probably more for a shower.
  • Depends on how cold the water is to start with. Mine can take 10 to 15 minutes in warmer weather and much longer in the colder times. I just kick mine on when I get up in the morning and just before we start getting ready for dinner.
  • In my experience with a number of different RV 's and water heater brands, 20-30 minutes is typical to reach maximum temperature, with some variation depending on the starting water temp. If my Atwood water heater is turned off at bedtime for instance, and night time outside temps stay in the 50°F range or so, it takes about 10 minutes to get back up to full temp. If it's colder, it takes longer. From a completely cold start at 40°F ambient temps, it may take closer to 45 minutes to reach full temp.
  • Take a look at the flame and see if it is blue or has some yellow, which would indicate a cooler flame. You could also have a dirty heating chamber which is keeping it from transferring the heat from the flame to the water.