Hot water heaters

[Gary R Larkin]

I have a 86 allegro and need to replace the hot water heater, what do you recommend. Can the 10 gallon replace the 6 gallon, is the 10 gallon just deeper?  Also are the size of the hot water heaters all about the same?  Does any one recommend anything else.  I have a Gasliter (brand), Direct Spark Igniter with a whole in the tank.  Thanks

[Cristina Gouin]

If you have the space... and can adjust the port hole for the heater you can put anything in I'm guessing. I went with the direct replacement when it was time for Gone's.  I think I have an Atwood 6gal with a remote switch to light it inside the rig.  Sizes I looked at when pricing were the same as I didn't want to have to modify the opening, and ours is under the bed so including insulation etc can't go much taller.  Sounds like the PO left the tank full of water which froze...   The other option you can find is a system which can use either propane or electric to heat...  pay attention to the orientation of hte heater when looking at dimensions.. some go in length wise, some width wise though overall dimensions are the same... 

We've found 6 gallons is plenty for 2 to take "submarine" showers and do dishes etc as the waste tanks only hold 40 gal so always trying to conserve water use. 

Bob at Sands RV (Madison Ohio) can help you get the right one ordered and his prices are reasonable, unless you have a local place so no shipping costs.... 

[John "T" Nordhoff]

 Its been my experience when you replace a hot water heater it may be easier to USE THE SAME BRAND such as an Atwood or Suburban etc since the plumbing and gas lines may be in the same approximate location. Likewise if its a 6 gallon Id go back with a 6 as that's plenty. As long as you get cold water lines in and hot out all plumbed up and run the roll copper gas line to it, the rest isn't rocket science. The same brand may even use the same On Off rocker switch making installation easier.

 John T

[Cristina Gouin]

And while at it also install the bypass kit so you can drain it, then bypass it to fill the RV water lines with antifreeze etc....  without having to fill the tank too. 

[Gary R Larkin]

Thanks will do. 

[Gary R Larkin]

Thanks John, would you know what brand this is by looking at the picture. 

[Cristina Gouin]

It looks just like my Atwood but they all look pretty much the same.. mine is installed wide side out vs short end out.  hard to tell in your pix. 

[John "T" Nordhoff]

 I also think its an Atwood, it looks just like my Atwood. Id replace it with a 6 gallon Atwood as that way installation should be a piece of cake. I sure agree, add the by pass when you're at it for easier winterizing.

 CAN SOMEONE CORRECT ME IF IM WRONG but I also think its an Atwood because it just has the single drain plug BUT NO OTHER PLUG for the sacrificial anode rod like Suburban uses. I think ONLY Suburban does that and NOT Atwood, am I right gang???

 ALSO I upgraded my Atwood for dual LP or Electric by adding a 120 volt "hot shot" or "hot rod" 400 watt element that goes into where your drain plug is located. HOWEVER unlike my buddys conversion where he had to cut away insulation inside to mount his t stat, my control t stat mounted SO EASY against my pressure relief pop off valve there on the outside. PIECE OF CAKE.

 ORRRRRRRRR just buy a new dual fuel LP or Electric to begin with..........

 John T

[Cristina Gouin]

From 10 yrs of ownership.. I only turn the hot water on about 20min or so before I need it.. on propane it heats very quick. yes I do forget and leave it on becuase they really do need to figure out how to have the switch inside have dual power... one to make sure it lights.. the other to let you know it is on.... yea awakened to the poof/burn many nights as its right under my pillow basically.. ooops.. get up turn it off. LOL... 

Atwoods do not have the sacrificial anode.  

[Lakota Wolf]

Your right John T,, its an Atwood,, no anode port and single drain.

On the replacement size, I would highly recommend the same size. Would be less custom fitting etc. Plus the size of your water heater reflects how much your holding tank will hold,(Scientists and engineers do all the math and stuff to determine size of heater, size of holding tank, max passengers to be sleeping in the rig and showers, for a typical weekend get away.)

If you plan on extended stays with shore hook ups, you can look into an electric water heater for a secondary source or even an on demand unit).

I installed a 20 gallon electric water heater for extended stays in RV parks with shore hook ups, and have my 10 gallon gas water heater for travel.