Atwood GE 16-EXT -- Help with two open tubes on back

Question

Just received a new Atwood GE 16-EXT (10 gal gas/elect) hot water heater which is identical to my 10 year old one EXCEPT it has two non-threaded, horizontal, aluminum tubes (1/2" ID & 5/8" OD), sticking out about 3" at the bottom rear of the tank. They are welded on the exterior of the tank and communicate with each other but not with the tank itself. Since they are not directly linked to the water inside the thank I'm thinking they must be some kind of heat exchange tube for an external device heated by water.

Is anyone familiar with this new style heater and know if my speculation is accurate or flawed? If accurate, can I just leave them open (uncapped) and use the water heater as I did before? If flawed, what are the tubes for and what do I do with them for the re-install?

Thanks

Dan DeRenzy

dougrainer · Answer

You purchased the Water Heater with the OPTIONAL MotorAID kit. Those 2 tubes are supposed to have your Chassis engine Hot water lines connected to heat the water while driving down the road. You are correct. You just leave them alone. You do not have to do anything with them. Doug

chris_bryant · Answer

That's the motor aid option- hooks to the engine coolant line to heat the water. No problem leaving it disconnected.

old-biscuit · Answer

Motor-aid heat exchanger connections.......RV Coach engine coolant runs thru heat exchanger heating water while in transit. Just like the 'heated' for hot air in cab of vehicle.

Should be marked as GEH 16-EXT or GCH10A (same tank) #91028

Did it come with new T&P Relief Valve?
New tanks use 3/4" Relief Valve

On Edit:

OK this is more interesting than purging propane lines....

Doug...your post was NOT displayed when Chris posted and when I later posted yet your post shows up prior to any post :H

Where is the 'worm hole'......cause this happens all the time.
No big deal (who posts what/when) just a very strange observation/occurrence with the way your posts show up

'What time zone is your computer set for.......Hawaii'??

old-biscuit · Answer

Old-Biscuit wrote:On Edit:OK this is more interesting than purging propane lines....Doug...your post was NOT displayed when Chris posted and when I later posted yet your post shows up prior to any post :HWhere is the 'worm hole'......cause this happens all the time.No big deal (who posts what/when) just a very strange observation/occurrence with the way your posts show up'What time zone is your computer set for.......Hawaii'??What do you Moderators have to say about this 'delay in posts showing up'?Why does this happen with Doug's Posts???Would think that info from a knowledgeable individual would not be held up/delayed?

derenzy · Answer

Thanks for the responses.  Plan to re-install today.Dan DeRenzy

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Atwood GE 16-EXT -- Help with two open tubes on back

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