APPLIANCE BRAND?

Oasisbob wrote:
I realize making parts that contain mercury is a bad idea. So now Atwood makes units without mercury. Why can they not make an alternative part to help those of us who need a non mercury replacement? That's all I'm saying. For this reason I want to buy another brand. I researched Atwood, Wedgewood & Dometic and found they are all owned by the same co. So looks like Saburban or a marine unit?

Put yourself into the manufacturers "shoes" so to speak.

Would YOU take your hard earned money (IE company profits and or research and development money) to put a team of engineers on a long out of production device which is way long out of warranty to make a retrofit part?

In this case especially the manufacturer would not only have to design a part from scratch, they MUST also FULLY TEST that part in one of those long obsolete appliances.. Not only would they have to test this in house, they would have to PAY for third party testing such as UL in order to qualify that part will not malfunction in that application..

Because you are dealing with an appliance that uses propane and creates a lot of heat the manufacturer must spend a considerable amount of time and money to ensure the device is not going to malfunction in any way that may cause harm to you or your RV..

And YES, I do work in a manufacturing company, while not in the RV area, devices my company makes are supposed to save peoples lives.. I understand what it takes to make stuff that doesn't kill and the testing/costs involved in order to get a "widget" to market. Recently my company passed FDA class 2 certifications level for medical devices.. Pretty serious stuff to get that certification!

A visit or call to a used RV parts seller might get you what you need. Or, a good gas appliance repair center, even on that doesn't work on RV appliances, may be able to help.

Hi Dutch. I would love to replace the manifold as you did with your oven. No one wants to talk to me about which parts can make this happen. Probley due to liability. How did you determine which part would work? I know Atwood makes ovens now with no mercury in the unit so why can they not tell me what parts I can use to make it worik? Is that too much to ask?

How about checking with some of the RV Salvage places to see if you can get what you need, or an oven that's been removed from a rig and take the part you need from that. Kind of like going to the junk yard to get an old part you need for a car that isn't made anymore.

Oasisbob wrote:
Hi Dutch. I would love to replace the manifold as you did with your oven. No one wants to talk to me about which parts can make this happen. Probley due to liability. How did you determine which part would work? I know Atwood makes ovens now with no mercury in the unit so why can they not tell me what parts I can use to make it worik? Is that too much to ask?

I'm sure Atwood would rather sell new stoves than advise folks on how to repair old ones, so that may be part of the problem. I compared the parts I found on eBay with the parts in my stove mostly by comparing the drawings in the parts catalogs I found online for both models. It was a little bit of a gamble that it would fit ok, but it paid off nicely for us. The newer oven burner/control setup maintains a more even temperature than the old one did. This one modulates the main burner down to a low flame when it reaches the set temp, rather than turning off completely except for the pilot light like the old one did when it worked right.

I found a SABURBAN range on Amazon which I will buy today. Parts plentiful, minor modification may be needed to install. I am through with Atwood as they can, but choose not to, offer an alternative part for my oven.

Oasisbob wrote:
My ATWOOD oven burner frfuses to light. Part I need positively no longer available. Atwood has stopped making original part, as it contained mercury, and offers no alternatives. I am now looking at a new oven but want to steer clear of any and all Atwood products as customer support stinks. So I know the RV industry often makes several brands but really the same. So what brand can I purchase that will have replacement parts and a good track record?

While you are not likely to replace the range, it is an option.
We just upgraded our 2005 Magic Chief to an Atwood sealed burner unit with 270 degree control on all three burners.

Atwood Range

Oasisbob wrote:
I found a SABURBAN range on Amazon which I will buy today. Parts plentiful, minor modification may be needed to install. I am through with Atwood as they can, but choose not to, offer an alternative part for my oven.

Which control manufacturer makes an alternative part you think fits your range? Atwood doesn't make them...