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diftw's avatar
diftw
Explorer
May 31, 2021

Water Heater Question

We have a 2016 Grand Design Reflection 337 with an Atwood Gas/Electric water heater. It is still heating the water but the temperature is noticeably cooler than in the past. Is there something I need to replace? Thank you.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Atwood it should not matter if on gas or electric or both.
    What does matter?
    Three things usually possibly 4
    One: Bypass valves. are they all fully in the USE position?
    Two: "Dog Shower" Actually the outdoor shower used to wash up after a sewer dump/hose activity... I have fixed a few by mentioning the cut off valve in the head stops water flow. but allows cold water to cross over to the hot lines if both hot and cold valves are open.. Optional: the main shower may have a cut off on the head as well same effect. (that's the #4)

    3: how do you put 10 gallons of hot water into a six gallon hat?
    Easy, heat the water to like 180 then use a thermostatic mixing valve to blend in cold down to 120.. and if you have that kind of water heater that valve may need attention.
  • Thank you Old-Biscuit. I checked the bypass and sure enough it wasn’t completely open. Appreciate the help!!
  • 2016 Atwood gas/electric uses ONE set of t-stat/eco for temp control on electric or gas

    T-stat s fix temp to open at 140*F
    If wire connections are loose on the t-stat it could not allow full temp heating

    If BYPASS valve (backside of water heater connects cold to hot) is open/cracked open/leaking thru cold will dilute hot right as it leaves WH Tank

    If shower (outside/inside) are turned off via button on handle then hot/cold mix inside the shower faucet....luke warm water in hot water system
  • I tried both but the outcome was the same. We’ve owned the rig since it was new so we know how hot the water used to get. Seems like some sort of a temperature regulator issue but not sure how to correct. There is a type of a circuit board on the upper-right side of the unit when you drop the door outside. I don’t think I can post a photo here.
  • If I remember right. If you forget to close the bypass valve, that you opened last fall to drain the tank, then the water will circulate and not heat all the way.
  • How long did you let it heat for before trying the water?

    And as mentioned, are you use gas or electric (or both) for heating the water?

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