Replace Atwood water heater with Dometic water heater

[fastwhls]

Noticed a leak from my 6 gallon Atwood water heater. Seems like it's coming from somewhere on tank. Called the RV repair and they told me since Atwood was purchased by Dometic they don't have the same water heater and they are going to replace it with Dometic 6 gallon gas/electric water heater. I checked the Dometic website and saw there is only one 6 gallon water heater (Dometic WH-6GEA 6 Gal Water Heater - Gas/Electric) available. When I read the customers review on Dometic website I was shocked. Every one and I mean everyone hater the water heater. They all complained about the water heater doesn't run on propane. These are people who purchased a 202 or a 2021 motorhomes or fifth wheel.
Like to know if anyone else had the same issues with Dometic 6 gallon water heater?
Another thing I noticed is the connection for coolent from radiator which heats up the water while driving is not on Dometic water heater.

[F239141]

All that changed was the name, the parts are still available.


That being said, just install a tankless, i have put the Ghirad tankless in both of our rigs and by far its one of the best upgrades.

[wildtoad]

Have you checked with Amazon? A quick look showed several Atwood’s.

[Bill Gail]

If the Water Heater is operating well .

Have the tank repaired . The Atwood WH tanks are aluminum and can be welded. I know because I've had the tanks repaired . Being made of aluminum they last forever.

It's easy to remove the tank and take it in to a radiator shop . They can pressure test to find the leak and than test again to confirm it's fixed.

The repair should only run around $50-$100 .

[fastwhls]

Since I'm using my warranty they don't give me the option to change to tankless. Heard they work great. Being on wheelchair I'm not able to do it myself. Getting a mobile RV repair to come and fix it. But the keep saying on the phone they just replace it. But my warranty company wants them to take it out see if it can be fixed first. Sending 8 month last year in Arizona with hard water they had seems like damaged some internal parts. Having issue with hot water pressure so for sure the outlet check valve went bad.

Thank you guys for comments and respond.

[Ljwt330]

Originally Posted by fastwhls

Noticed a leak from my 6 gallon Atwood water heater. Seems like it's coming from somewhere on tank. Called the RV repair and they told me since Atwood was purchased by Dometic they don't have the same water heater and they are going to replace it with Dometic 6 gallon gas/electric water heater. I checked the Dometic website and saw there is only one 6 gallon water heater (Dometic WH-6GEA 6 Gal Water Heater - Gas/Electric) available. When I read the customers review on Dometic website I was shocked. Every one and I mean everyone hater the water heater. They all complained about the water heater doesn't run on propane. These are people who purchased a 202 or a 2021 motorhomes or fifth wheel.
Like to know if anyone else had the same issues with Dometic 6 gallon water heater?
Another thing I noticed is the connection for coolent from radiator which heats up the water while driving is not on Dometic water heater.
Attachment 348122

I read the website reviews as well.

Apparently it’s not just a name change, but a redesign of the heater itself and poor quality parts that is the issue. Having replacement parts available is no consolation if the parts are failure prone and the basic design is leading to failures.

Your post does not tell us if your coach is new and under factory warranty, or older and the warranty is through Atwood or a third party. It sounds like you currently have the coolant preheating feature but it is not available on the replacement, correct? Further, the new replacement uses a different size door that requires an adapter kit, may not be in stock, and may not match your paint scheme.

Edit: just read your last post. Sounds like the warranty company is on board with repair, but the tech is not. Find a new tech or at least one who will remove it and take it to a shop for assessment and possible repair. You can always replace just the tank. You’re better off with your old heater, IMO.

If this was my situation, I would have the old tank repaired and reinstalled. If the warranty won’t cover that, pay it out of pocket and be done.

I could not believe the reviews and the rapid failure of that model heater.

[fastwhls]

I found out this morning when I called the RV tech shop and they told me they are going to replace my Atwood with Dometic one. And you are right sounds like they don't want to bother and take the time to fix the one I have. My rig is a 2006 Winnebago sightseer 34a and I have extended warranty with Us warranty. When I talked with them they were very nice about it and they cover the repair completely of course after my deductible. After finding out and reading all the issues people have with Dometic, as you said I prefer to keep the one I have and have them repair it. Also I like the coolent preheating future is great and it helps the engine run cooler.

[Old-Biscuit]

Dometic 6 gal GAS/Electric is Narrower and deeper then the Atwood 6 gal Gas/Electric and requires the 'door kit' (94016) ---spacer plates to close up each side and wider door panel to enclose the whole unit

Dometic moved the Electric Element to the outside compartment. To do so they relocated the combustion/exhaust 'U' tube to the center of tank and it is now stack vs the diagonal 'U' tube in Atwood models

Biggest issue is the location of the Thermal Fuse....it is now between the combustion/exhaust where heat builds up and causes it to trip...then has to be replaced for WH to work

The other issue is with Gas Burner Tube....NO Air Shutter like Atwood which allowed fine tuning of Air/Fuel Mixture
*Same set up Suburban WHs have used for decades but Dometic didn't get the design right or door is obstructing airflow

Plus they have a Slew of Bad Circuit Boards...something they should have learned from their board issue back in 2014-2016

The NEW Dometic 6 gal does NOT have a version with Heat Exchanger....motor coolant flow to heat while driving

**Dometic now has the NEW 10 gal Versions



Better to remove/repair your old Atwood
Do you have a neighbor that can help....remove it, take it to weld shop and reinstall it for you
Mobile RV Techs want to R&R cause it is easier and less time consuming

**If leak in tank is in area where Pan/Tank have to be separated then you will need New Seal Ring/Gasket set for the Combustion & Exhaust
Ports (they hold the pan tight to tank)
Atwood 96010
https://pdxrvwholesale.com/products/...sket-kit-96010

[fastwhls]

The new design doesn't fit in the water heater compartment I have since they flipped the tank 90°, it too long for the space.