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Topic: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater (Read 3272 times) previous topic - next topic

Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Pulled into the campground this afternoon and water was leaking from my water heater. I have the 10 gallon Atwood with 110, propane, motor aid. I started looking for a new one online and discovered they are $1700 to $2000. They are also in extremely short supply.

I tried looking with a mirror and with a remote camera, it appears the water is coming from the bottom of the water heater on the backside. I've bypassed the hot water heater so I can function with cold water. You can buy tankless and suburban water heaters for about half of the cost. I'm going to be stuck changing this out in a campground somewhere, and I need to make a decision quickly if I'm going to purchase the Atwood, because it will have to be delivered to my sons house in Albuquerque. We are on the road until October. Bad timing.

I also can't figure out what comes out in order to remove the water heater. I just finished installing a residential refrigerator. I'm a little worn down at the moment. The current hot water heater is original to the coach.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #1 –
Not having a propane coach water heater I can only guess that it would have an anode rod that periodically needs replacement to stop electrolysis from eating the tank. If not then they have a finite life and yours may have died. Taking it out and brazing or soldering a patch might be possible. 
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #2 –

Short term solution?
Amazon.com: Bosch Electric Mini-Tank Water Heater Tronic 3000 T 4-Gallon...
I had considered this before I repaired our aqua hot. I know nothing about them and if the would be large enough. Just a idea

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Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #3 –
Quote from: craneman –
Not having a propane coach water heater I can only guess that it would have an anode rod that periodically needs replacement to stop electrolysis from eating the tank. If not then they have a finite life and yours may have died. Taking it out and brazing or soldering a patch might be possible. 
I thought they were a stainless tank.

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #5 –
Your water heater tank is likely aluminum, mine is on an Atwood dated late 98. No anode rod. Look closely at the 2 fittings on the back of the heater, as well around the heating element. I've had to replace both fittings.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #6 –

If you want another fun project (after doing the fridge), they sell replacement tanks.  Google "Atwood 10 gallon water heater replacement tank" for a list of suppliers.  Also, there are some Youtube videos showing how to R&R the tank.  It's not rocket science, but there are some tricks to it so good to watch the videos before diving in.

Amazon.com: Atwood AT91059 Replacement Inner Water Heater Tank : Automotive


As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #7 –
I'm going to have to remove it one way or another.  How does it come out? Need to check out fittings on back for sure.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #8 –
Have you drained the tank yet.  If you do and there's some sediment that comes out with the last of the water then the tank could be corroding but I doubt it.  Ive had ours twice and the first time some yucky stuff came out.    It's probably an aluminum tank and the leaking just might be from the fittings on the back of the tank.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #9 –
My HW tank was leaking from the line that goes to the water manifold from the HW tank. I r/m the line and was able to get the fitting over to the hole in the side wall to replace the cone gasket. I also changed the gasket on the fitting at the manifold just in case. I thought my HW heater had a hole in it but it was replaced about a year before I bought the coach.
To take mine out you remove the screws around the lip, take the gas line off and slide it out. There is caulk between the lip and wall and it is tight pulling it out. There is thermostat and power wires that come out too. make sure none of the lines on the back doesn't pull tank sensor wires loose. I wasn't careful.
Just my two cents.
Good luck and I hope your leak is simple to fix.
Ron
Ron Clark
Sherwood,Arkansas
1999 U 295 40 foot Build # 5550
2020 Jeep Gladiator
Motorcade # 18173
FMCA # F485593

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #10 –

I installed a Fogatti  tankless in my (now sold) Wanderlodge PT40. We were very happy with the never ending supply of hot water but it takes some adjusting to get it to come on and not cycle when you are taking a shower. I installed ball valves on the supply and return piping so I could adjust both intake and outflow.

Amazon.com: RV Tankless Water Heater, Fogatti 2.9 GPM, 55000 BTU Hot Water...

TOM

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SOB (Some Other Brand) division
1995 Wanderlodge WB40
8V92 :D

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #12 –
Try PPL in Houston.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #13 –
PPL was the first place I checked- listed but not available. Drained tank and water was clear. Tank is aluminum. I have drained tank several times in last six years of ownership. Also have replaced pop off valve when it started leaking.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #14 –
Is there slack in the pex lines so that it can be pulled out, or do you disconnect by feel? How about motor aid lines?
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #15 –
Have you checkef the fittings on the back of the water heater, I changed them with the heater in place. The pex lines will not have enough slack in them.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Realmccoy –
Is there slack in the pex lines so that it can be pulled out, or do you disconnect by feel? How about motor aid lines?
Depending on how your water heater is situated, and what is in the adjacent bay, you may be able to cut a access port in the bay wall.  If this is possible on your coach, it makes it easier to get at the fittings on the back of the water heater.  Note I said "easier"...which is not to say it is actually EASY.  Every little bit helps when working in tight quarters.  See thread below:

Behind the Water Heater Access Port

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #17 –
2nd that.  Bruce.
  The pex  lines will likely not have enough flex in them to pull it out. You'll have to disconnect the them blind.  But on mine you can at least see what you need to do by looking through the port hole on the right side of the bay.  Maybe even get your arm in there to disconnect.....  I didn't figure that out until the second time I needed it out ( don't remember why I removed it the second time).

  And ( thinking about next time) the smart thing would be to add 2 ft of braided flex in between the tank and the pex line. Way easer to remove next time.   

    OH and while your in there, change out your electric 110 sensors , reroute your overflow line and install your See Level strips on the water tank....  Now I remember why I yanked it out the 2nd time.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #18 –
Forgot about Seelevel. My fresh water tank sensor is notoriously inaccurate. Also would like to reroute overflow.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #19 –
On my '95 u320 there was enough slack in the hoses and power cable to pull the water heater out and set it on a box. Easy access to all connections.
I think I had to disconnect the motor aid hoses then pull it out.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #20 –
Consider Atwood 120v electric + propane without motor aid, which is not necessary. Many coached did not have motor aid.

We also changed tank hose connections to terminate at manifold, cold side into tank, hot side out of tank, turn off both manifold valves to bypass tank. Use long flexible hoses.

New Atwood tanks use circuit board to control 120v heater probe with relay. Bringing relay away from tank rear will allow checking heating element resistance to check for burn out.

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #21 –

Remove the tank and check all the hose connections and the 120v element for leaks before you spend money on a new tank. It's more likely to be that than a leaking tank.

Personally .... I would spend the extra for the 3 way heater because we really like the motor aid feature while traveling. (If ... of course you can obtain one)

Just my 2 cents worth, do what makes you happy

Good luck and safe travels
Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #22 –
2nd that on the motor aid option.
 I like it.  Nice to have hot water while traveling and when you arrive. Rather that run the propane water while underway.    Sometimes it's hot enough to run H water the rest of the night. 

  I suppose when leaving the next morning you'd have dash heat quicker IF ..... the water heater had been on also.  Haven't officially tested that one.  but  DWMYH.
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #23 –
Wow! Replaced mine 3 years ago and the entire unit was $600. Inflation baby, inflation
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.
 

Re: Replacement for 10 gallon Atwood Water Heater

Reply #24 –
Not sure it's simply inflation. Since Dometic bought Attwood we've seen models dropped, competition reduced, innovation slowed, and prices double on models no longer being supported as supply dwindles. I can't ever remember a merger like this that was good for the consumer. The so called "synergies" end up costing you and me.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.