Water Heater Temperature

Bug512 · 01-05-2011, 10:44 AM

Since we took delivery late last year we were unable to really "use" all the appliances. One thing that I did notice was the hot water was really, really hot.
Looking at the operation and maintenance manual I do not see that there is any adjustment on the temperature.

Am I overlooking something?

Thanks..

powerboatr · 01-05-2011, 10:53 AM

if its an atwood there are two cut off switches located on on the tank. you can access them through the outside door panel
one is a ECO (emergency cut off) and th eother is the normal temp cut off.

turn off ALL power to the water heater, 12v and 120 volt
then unplug the wires from teh cut offs gently.
clean then if they have some corrosion on em.
the cut offs just use conduction as a source of heat temp and sometimes the backs where they touch the case gets corroded or grimy
you will need to gently pull back the foam insulation tape and save it for reuse.
then lightly squirt some wd40 or similiar around the switches and gently rotate then 1/4 turn either way to help clean out any crude behind them.
then put all back together and see of it starts to work better.
if not its a about 20 bux for a set of replacement temp switches at most rv places and takes less than 15 minutes to put new ones on

if its a suburban water heater it to has similar temp switches now sure of the cost, as its been awhile

this is just a quick troubleshooting procedure and in no way is an end all repair

Bug512 · 01-05-2011, 11:03 AM

Thanks !.. That is another thing to put on the list..

GaryKD · 01-05-2011, 05:43 PM

Hi Bug512,
If you have a Suburban 10 gallon HWH there may be no adjustment. The temp is set at 140 degrees from the factory. This is done to make one mix more cold water with the HWH water and the 10 gallons will last longer before running out of hot water. This is how mine is set up.

TXiceman · 01-05-2011, 05:47 PM

You want the water hotter than you do at home since you have such a limited supply (6 gallon or 10 gallon vs. 40 or 50 gallons at home). All you need to do is mix a bit more cold with it.

ken

dieselclacker · 01-05-2011, 05:52 PM

Ditto Garys post above on our 2004 Allegro. Just add more cold water.

Dieselclacker

Bug512 · 01-05-2011, 06:29 PM

I understand that we have a limited amount (as I did in my older travel trailer) but this is HOT.. I will need to look into this come when I can run water again in March..

Thanks for the replies and things to check..

David K · 01-05-2011, 08:34 PM

I have the Atwood water heater and the factory set temp is between 140 and 160 degrees --- a lot hotter than your stick house ---- this is so the limited amount will last longer -- mix more cold water with the hot.

Eric_H_E · 01-05-2011, 08:48 PM

does someone make an anti scald valve for the sink, shower like is found in stick houses?
IE the faucet will not let water that is too hot flow out the valve?

JC2 · 01-06-2011, 06:50 AM

I believe the Moen shower faucett in our MH has an internal adjustment where the amount of hot water coming out can be adjusted with the cold to lessen the chance of being burnt. You might check with them.
Faucets, Sinks & Showers for Bathroom, Kitchen & more - Moen

Ray,IN · 01-06-2011, 01:53 PM

If the thermostats are not tight against the tank it causes the water to over-heat too.

jcthorne · 01-10-2011, 08:58 AM

The Atwood water heater does not have an adjustable thermostat from the factory. You can however replace the fixed temp switch with an adjustable one. If you adjust the temp down you will have much less hot water.

We did the opposite and adjusted UP. 180deg. and added a mixing valve on the outlet. Now we get 120deg water and lots of it from a 6 gal wh.