Forum Discussion

jerem0621's avatar
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2013

Replacing Water Heater- Suburban or Atwood?

I am going to replace my Suburban DSI water heater with a pilot light version.

Quick reason, I have been fiddling with this DSI water heater off and on since I bought it and am tired of it. I want a pilot light.

The question is my mind is, which one. Suburban or Atwood?

Is there any reason to go with one brand over the other. I am leaning towards the Suburban, but just wanted to bounce the idea off the forum and see if there is any reason to replace it with an Atwood 6 gallon.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
  • CavemanCharlie's avatar
    CavemanCharlie
    Explorer III
    Jul 23, 2013
    enblethen wrote:
    I would use the same make as you currently have. It will save doing some minor which always turns into major structural changes. Should be bracing and different opening size.


    X2, And I have had water heaters with both a pilot and a automatic light version. Never had a problem with the auto light feature. It's up to you but, I would try to fix the one you have now before going to all the trouble to swap it out. There is no reason it shouldn't light every time by itself easily.
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Jul 23, 2013
    BarneyS wrote:
    I have had nothing but Atwood heaters for the past 25 years or so and have never had a problem with them. They do not use an anode rod.
    Barney


    Thanks Barney, I may call PPL and see if I can replace the Suburban with an Atwood. Maybe a brand change is in order here

    Thanks!
  • jerem0621's avatar
    jerem0621
    Explorer II
    Jul 23, 2013
    Huntindog wrote:
    dbbls wrote:
    I would never go back to a pilot light water heater.


    X2.

    I ALWAYS had issues with the pilot light models. All my DSI units have been trouble free.


    Man I wish I had this experience with DSI. My heater will light everytime if I have someone flip the switch on while I am holding a lighter in the burner. Lol

    I know DSI is only a few bucks more but I am worried that I'll spend $300.00 and still have a no lighting water heater. Lol.

    Thanks for the suggestions all.

    Jeremiah
  • BarneyS's avatar
    BarneyS
    Explorer III
    Jul 23, 2013
    I have had nothing but Atwood heaters for the past 25 years or so and have never had a problem with them. They do not use an anode rod.
    Barney
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2013
    dbbls wrote:
    I would never go back to a pilot light water heater.


    X2.

    I ALWAYS had issues with the pilot light models. All my DSI units have been trouble free.
  • dbbls's avatar
    dbbls
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2013
    I would never go back to a pilot light water heater.
  • enblethen's avatar
    enblethen
    Nomad
    Jul 23, 2013
    I would use the same make as you currently have. It will save doing some minor which always turns into major structural changes. Should be bracing and different opening size.
  • dtzackus's avatar
    dtzackus
    Explorer
    Jul 23, 2013
    I would opt for the one that doesn't have the Anerod. But I have read some things about tankless units.

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