Atwood hot water heater

[Jones714]

I have a 2012 Journey we just took out of a 3 month storage period. Our hot water heater seems to be on the fritz. It's warm at best and inconsistent from faucet to faucet. The shower seems to be the hottest. Also it can go from warm to cold for a few seconds and then back to warm. We've been told it may be the thermostat but if so why the change from faucet to faucet? Any thoughts?

[HIDEOUT]

kalsbeek wrote:
Just probably a simple thing that has happened to me a couple of times.
If you have an outside shower.....check to make sure both hot and cold are shut off.
If not you are mixing before the interior faucets.
Let us know your result please.

This just happened to me around a month ago. Problem solved with a great technician from Lodi California. Might want to check this out before you take your coach to the dealer. jmho

[tony_lee]

and he told me it was a thermostat

Assuming he had the same fault description as we did, this solution shows an appalling lack of ability to fault-find.

[Jones714]

Thanks. I first called Lazy Days and spoke with a Tech Specialist and he told me it was a thermostat and that I would have to bring it to an authorized dealer. That would have been a 40 mile drive and who knows how much time and expense. So I decided to once again post the question on this forum and you guys just don't disappoint. After running water thru the outside shower for a few seconds all was good. Who knew? Apparently you guys. Thanks again.

[1rooster]

Find out if your Atwood heater has a mixing valve. If it does, then that is your problem. There is a temporary fix for it. Send me a PM

[wa8yxm]

I will go one step farther

You have described a very common conditoin. The Kalsbeeks covered one possible cause (What I call the dog shower, or outside shower) is often the culprit.

But in this case you said something else noteworthy "STORAGE"

Did you bypass the water heater before putting it in storage (many do)

And do you have the 3 valve system

DID you remember to CLOSE the bypass valve?

The third option is like the first (Outside shower) only it's the INSIDE shower.

Yup, those are #1, #2 and #3 on the hit list for this issue.. And unless you have a 10 gallon in a six gallon hat water heater (Attwood makes one like that) There is no suspect #4

(If you have that 10 gallon in a six gallon hat attwood the mixing valve that does the magic is also suspect, but odds are you don't have it)

[kalsbeek]

Just probably a simple thing that has happened to me a couple of times.
If you have an outside shower.....check to make sure both hot and cold are shut off.
If not you are mixing before the interior faucets.
Let us know your result please.

[enblethen]

Water flow could effect the temperature and operation.
Check to insure that if equipped the water heater by pass is in the correct position.
Inspect your thermostat and ECO in the water heater exterior access. make sure they are tight to the tank. They are spring loaded. Inspect the connection of the wires on the thermostat and ECO. Look for dark colored connections. That would indicate a loose or poor connection.