Click Me for Reference topicI want to reduce the temperature of my hot water (HW) heater. I used to own a trailer with an adjustable thermostat on the LP water heater but my truck camper does not have one. The old trailer HW heater had a continuously lit pilot light that I had to manually start at the HW unit itself.My previous house had a High Efficiency 40 gallon LP HW heater with electronic ignition and an adjustable thermostat. Is an adjustable thermostat available or adaptable for a 6 gallon RV tank?LeRoy

No.But I do believe that both brands do offer two different ranges. You might try to determine if you have a 140 or 150 degree limit.

donn0128 wrote:No.But I do believe that both brands do offer two different ranges. You might try to determine if you have a 140 or 150 degree limit.I am aware of the two ranges but they are WAY TOO HOT, way too energy inefficient*, and way too dangerous for children use. I would prefer a 105 shut off. If McDonalds gets sued for hot coffee spilled in the lap, I would believe that the HW heater manufactures would be concerned about kids being burnt.(I am not suggesting any lawsuits here. I am just making a comparison.)Maybe I should have Titled this thread "How could a HW heater be modified for 105F max".For all the workarounds that have been posted for RV items, I would think that someone come create one for HW heaters. * I dry camp a lot and running low on LP is a major inconvenience.Thanks,LeRoy

close to you requirements. Adjusts from 110° to 150°.Richard

105F max? That's hardly hot water in my book, closer to warm...but I guess that's neither here nor there.You can still get manual pilot RV water heaters, and they have a manual adjustable thermostat similar to a household water heater. Another option might be to install a thermostatic mixing valve (sometimes called a tempering valve) at the water heater output and set it for whatever temperature you deem appropriate.I don't think there's too much of an energy use difference in the grand scheme of things. Not too much heat is radiated to the outside world from the water heater even at 140 degrees or so. That said, a lower temperature will be somewhat more efficient, as the rate of heat transfer is proportional to the difference in temperature (in this case between the water temperature and the ambient temperature), and heat thus transferred is "lost" and must be resupplied by the burner or element.

First off...Suburban OEM t-stat is 130*F ....they offer an optional 140*F t-statAtwood OEM t-stat is 140*F....NO optional fixed temp t-stat BUT they do have an optional 110*F - 150*F adjustable style that replaces the fixed 140*F t-statIF you have an AtwoodIf you have a Suburban then no lower temp replacement is availableBUT IF you have a Suburban GAS ONLY then an DIY mod can be done using a residential water heater adjustable t-stat. Install it in the open area to left of propane st of t-stats (place where the electric set would be installed)The residential t-stat would have to be tied into the OEM propane set ----but it would be controlling temp and still have High temp shut off from OEM t-statSO which BRAND/MODEL do you have....???? (really helps with responses!)Personally I do not like 'mixing valves'....they are problematic as it doesn't take much to clog hot in from water heater so that one does not get ANY hot water.T-stat tempsSmall volume tanks require hotter initial temps so hot water will last longer.......end user tempers it by mixing in cold water at the faucet/shower

Adjustable Thermostat for a 6 gallon RV Water Heater

13 Replies

RLS7201
Explorer II
May 11, 2018
close to you requirements. Adjusts from 110° to 150°.

Richard
Homeless_by_Cho
Explorer
May 11, 2018
donn0128 wrote:
No.
But I do believe that both brands do offer two different ranges. You might try to determine if you have a 140 or 150 degree limit.

I am aware of the two ranges but they are WAY TOO HOT, way too energy inefficient*, and way too dangerous for children use. I would prefer a 105 shut off. If McDonalds gets sued for hot coffee spilled in the lap, I would believe that the HW heater manufactures would be concerned about kids being burnt.

(I am not suggesting any lawsuits here. I am just making a comparison.)

Maybe I should have Titled this thread "How could a HW heater be modified for 105F max".

For all the workarounds that have been posted for RV items, I would think that someone come create one for HW heaters.

* I dry camp a lot and running low on LP is a major inconvenience.

Thanks,
LeRoy
donn0128
Explorer II
May 11, 2018
No.
But I do believe that both brands do offer two different ranges. You might try to determine if you have a 140 or 150 degree limit.

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Adjustable Thermostat for a 6 gallon RV Water Heater

13 Replies

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