Atwood vs. Suburban Propane Hot Heaters -Pilot Light Models
Hi folks,
I have been studying ways to heat water using propane for places with little or no electric/running water. (Cabins, Hunting/Fishing Camps, Barns, ect.) The 'Old-School' RV Propane Water Heaters with no electronics appear to be a good solution. The various portable tank-less models require (waste) too much water in order to function.
Atwood and Suburban still make 6 and 10 gallon propane hot water heaters that uses a pilot light. (That must be lit manually from the outside). These models allow one to conserve water and appear to be KISS simple.
Which Brand to choose? Prices are comparable.
.
The Suburban has a bigger burner, is steel, but requires that the anode be changed.
The Atwood uses an aluminum tank, no anode, and claims that their 'Through Tube' Combustion Chamber makes for a more efficient use of the pilot light for maintaining temperature.
I would really appreciate hearing from the members with 'real-world' experience. The main negative I have read about is that strong winds will blow out the pilot light.
Ease of lighting the pilot light, reliability, parts availability and ease of service?
Something that appealed to me was the option of setting to control knob to 'Pilot' during the day just to keep the water lukewarm for handwashing and then turning the control knob to 'on' just before showers are taken.
Thanks in advance for your comments,
Fred
I have been studying ways to heat water using propane for places with little or no electric/running water. (Cabins, Hunting/Fishing Camps, Barns, ect.) The 'Old-School' RV Propane Water Heaters with no electronics appear to be a good solution. The various portable tank-less models require (waste) too much water in order to function.
Atwood and Suburban still make 6 and 10 gallon propane hot water heaters that uses a pilot light. (That must be lit manually from the outside). These models allow one to conserve water and appear to be KISS simple.
Which Brand to choose? Prices are comparable.
.
The Suburban has a bigger burner, is steel, but requires that the anode be changed.
The Atwood uses an aluminum tank, no anode, and claims that their 'Through Tube' Combustion Chamber makes for a more efficient use of the pilot light for maintaining temperature.
I would really appreciate hearing from the members with 'real-world' experience. The main negative I have read about is that strong winds will blow out the pilot light.
Ease of lighting the pilot light, reliability, parts availability and ease of service?
Something that appealed to me was the option of setting to control knob to 'Pilot' during the day just to keep the water lukewarm for handwashing and then turning the control knob to 'on' just before showers are taken.
Thanks in advance for your comments,
Fred
