Water Heater Replacement

[Boundless Cruising]

New to this forum. Just bought a ‘new to me’ 2014 Jayco JayFlight 30’ travel trailer. The water heater internal temp sensor no longer works and heat will not shut off resulting in boiling water, high tank pressure, and an overall danger.
My Atwood 6-gal LP/Electric unit is rectangular and no longer made. The replacement options seem to be a Suburban or a Dometic but both are 12x12.
Has anyone replaced an old Atwood and what did you choose? Was there a kit to fill the gaps?

[colby]

Originally Posted by Boundless Cruising

New to this forum. Just bought a ‘new to me’ 2014 Jayco JayFlight 30’ travel trailer. The water heater internal temp sensor no longer works and heat will not shut off resulting in boiling water, high tank pressure, and an overall danger.
My Atwood 6-gal LP/Electric unit is rectangular and no longer made. The replacement options seem to be a Suburban or a Dometic but both are 12x12.
Has anyone replaced an old Atwood and what did you choose? Was there a kit to fill the gaps?

I had a new Dometic unit installed this year when my tank broke. It doesn't come with the door, that had to be purchased separately. You get the one with the adapter for the larger opening - https://www.dometic.com/en-ca/outdoo...6-gal-_-314843

[SmokerBill]

Originally Posted by Boundless Cruising

New to this forum. Just bought a ‘new to me’ 2014 Jayco JayFlight 30’ travel trailer. The water heater internal temp sensor no longer works and heat will not shut off resulting in boiling water, high tank pressure, and an overall danger.
My Atwood 6-gal LP/Electric unit is rectangular and no longer made. The replacement options seem to be a Suburban or a Dometic but both are 12x12.
Has anyone replaced an old Atwood and what did you choose? Was there a kit to fill the gaps?

Does the water really boil, or does it just get extremely hot. Atwood water heaters typically do heat the water to scalding temperatures.

When running on propane do you notice the burner cycling on and off at all?

You can buy replacement thermostats for a reasonable price, and some are adjustable. The stock Atwood thermostats are not adjustable.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=atwood+wa...f=nb_sb_noss_1

[norty1]

As stated, the thermostat is mounted external to the tank and is replaceable. Why replace the whole thing?

[Boundless Cruising]

Thank you for your input! I will look into the temp thermostat replacement first.

[Boundless Cruising]

It seems to boil, but merely my observation as it bubbles out of the vent out back. Scalding water.

[SmokerBill]

Originally Posted by Boundless Cruising

It seems to boil, but merely my observation as it bubbles out of the vent out back. Scalding water.

It may be normal operation. Get a thermometer and check the hot water temperature. I think they run 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit usually, which is pretty hot.

I think they run hot like that so there's more capacity for showers and other use. If they were set at 110-120, a 6 gallon water heater would empty pretty quick during a shower.

And with my water heater, when it heats water from cold to hot, it builds up a lot of pressure in the system. When I'm starting from cold water, or have used a lot of hot water I leave a hot water faucet dripping so the pressure doesn't build up. When the water in the heater is hot, I turn off the drip.

Some leakage out of the overpressure valve will happen if you haven't "exercised" the valve manually for a while. It should be opened manually every so often, which will help it keep the seal.

[JFlightRisk]

Originally Posted by Boundless Cruising

New to this forum. Just bought a ‘new to me’ 2014 Jayco JayFlight 30’ travel trailer. The water heater internal temp sensor no longer works and heat will not shut off resulting in boiling water, high tank pressure, and an overall danger.
My Atwood 6-gal LP/Electric unit is rectangular and no longer made. The replacement options seem to be a Suburban or a Dometic but both are 12x12.
Has anyone replaced an old Atwood and what did you choose? Was there a kit to fill the gaps?

You can get a replacement thermostat kit on Amazon. Very simple to replace from the outside, and may save you needing a whole new water heater. Worth a few bucks to at least try.

https://www.amazon.com/Thermostat-As.../dp/B07QR85Q1T