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Topic: Water heater temp set? (Read 467 times) previous topic - next topic

Water heater temp set?

Hot water coming out of my water heater is...
HOT! At the point I'm thinking of a safety thing, more so when the grand kids travel with us.
Believe it's a standard dometic elec/gas unit with the on/off switch and red & green light by the sink.
I dropped the service door outside and see no adjusting screws or anything.
Suggestions?
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Water heater temp set?

Reply #1 –
There are 2 thermal cutout sensors. One on the back (electric) and one on the front (gas). I believe these are 140 degrees from Atwood, so you would have to find 2 that are less than 140. There is no other adjustment available. When the water temp hits the sensor max, it cuts out either the electric or gas depending on which you are using.

1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Water heater temp set?

Reply #2 –
Well, crud!
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad

Re: Water heater temp set?

Reply #3 –

Two things might be happening:

1. The factory thermostats (non-adjustable @ 140F as Twig noted) is too hot to your liking.  They do make adjustable thermostats for a few dollars more : Tjernlund 950-3372 Thermostat, Adjustable, Differential 20: Industrial Hvac...

2. The factory thermostat is actually failing and not cutting-out @ 140 F and getting hotter and hotter until the pressure relief valve starts releasing.  I have had this happen.  Replace the thermostat twice.  Poor quality is what I concluded.  I switch to the adjustable and has been good ever since.  The symptoms I noticed (besides the steaming hot water and nearly burning my hand) was an initial pressure burst when I first turning on the  hot water.  You can always confirm with a thermometer too.

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John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Water heater temp set?

Reply #4 –
Also, if your water heater is actually original the propane and electric have independent thermostats (again as Twig noted).  In the post above I was speaking of the propane one.  Newer heaters (at least since 2005 when I replaced mine) have the electric controlled by the circuit board so it's using the front propane thermostat.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Water heater temp set?

Reply #5 –
I just noticed the link I posted above is for an "off" brand.  No experience with it.
I bought an Atwood: Atwood 93105 Thermostat Adjustable Retrofits Front Mount Thermostat Water...
Mine has letters (A through E) that represent different temperature settings.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: Water heater temp set?

Reply #6 –
Moby, go to an RV store and buy a pack of the lower temp ones and fit them on. Simple thing and the instructions are included.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Water heater temp set?

Reply #7 –
Simple is my friend
In restless dreams I walked alone.
Narrow streets of cobblestone.


'93 U225
Build 4337
'14 CRV Toad
 

Re: Water heater temp set?

Reply #8 –
Is it Atwood, which used a button thermostat pressed against aluminum tank exterior.  Is your overheating only on electric or gas?  Does gas go off after a while.