Community Forums

chuydog · 10-01-2012, 08:08 PM

Does anyone know if there is a thermostat on the hot water heater in our '04 Inspire? Something like the heat selector on a residental gas/electric water heater.

Thanks

Skip426 · 10-02-2012, 12:27 AM

Most of the newer HW tanks work with a pre-set limit switches, to shut down the propane and 110. What brand and size do you have?

chuydog · 10-02-2012, 12:47 AM

It's an Atwood model MPD93756 and thanks for the response.

Tony Lee · 10-02-2012, 01:34 AM

Running on propane or 120V when this happens.

Is this a new fault?

Do you have provision to heat water from the engine coolant and it is only super-hot after a drive.

TXiceman · 10-02-2012, 06:49 AM

RV water heaters generally do not have an adjustable t'stat on the water heater. There are some aftermarket ones you can add. Since the water volume is small (6 to 10 gallons) you want the water HOT and blend a little with the cold so you have enough for a shower.

Ken

chuydog · 10-03-2012, 08:09 PM

Tony, the water is alway scorching hot no matter if we are on propane or electric. Somewhere, somehow this water heating is costing us money that needs to get into the fuel tank. The hot water source is not manifolded to the engine as far as I can determine.

We can throttle back the mixer in the shower but if you hit the lever with an elbo you will look like a ready to eat Maine lobster.

Tom

BFlinn181 · 10-03-2012, 08:38 PM

Here's a video on how to replace the thermostat on an Atwood heater with an adjustable thermostat.

AOL On - How to Install an RV Water Heater Thermostat

You can also get preset thermostats at other temps. Normal is 140 F, you can buy 130 F or 120 F. I don't mind the 140 F, I use lots of cold and never run out of hot.

frankdamp · 10-03-2012, 08:53 PM

Why the RV water heater manufactureres choose not to give the owners the ability to set their thermostats to a temperature that fits their lifestyle is a complete mystery to me.

Our first RV (an '85 Jamboree Class C) the water heater provided water that was almost hot enough to brew tea - it must have been close to 200F. Our current rig is a bit more reasonable (maybe around 180F), but still not owner-settable. While we don't have young children that might be close to being scalded, it's still a good deal hotter than our residential WH.

It would be nice to have the adjustability so that you could decide what is best fo your particular lifestyle. I'm starting to research what the existing thermostats do, and whether there are adjustable ones that could replace the fixed ones provided by the tank manufacturer.

We'd be comfortable with a 160 degree t/stat - the S&B is set to 135, but the tank is 75 gallons. We might replace the 6 gal heater with a 10 gallon one to keep the total hot flow to be enough for two showers in a fairly short elapsed time.

I think the temperature setting on the fixed thermostats is dangerous, and I'm surprised there haven't been lawsuits from folks who've been scalded.

Are there any after-market thermostats that you can install to keep the HWH temp where you want it to be? Looks like an entrpreneurial opportunity if there aren't any!

BFlinn181 · 10-03-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankdamp

Are there any after-market thermostats that you can install to keep the HWH temp where you want it to be? Looks like an entrpreneurial opportunity if there aren't any!

You mean like this one? Atwood 93105 Thermostat Adjustable Retrofits Front Mount Thermostat Water Heater Parts Trailer Camper RV

See post # 7 for link on how to install it.

Suburban water heaters have thermostats that are preset. You may purchase in preset temperatures of 120 F, 130 F, and 140 F that I know of.

Tony Lee · 10-04-2012, 02:49 AM

Yes, I thought you might have a fixed thermostat - set to 70C or even 80C, guaranteed to give full-thickness burns to children in a few seconds. Here all new houses have to have tempering valves fitted to limit the temperature to any fitting where kids can get at it, and RV manufacturers are doing the same. Called duty of care.
As others have said - if the water temperature is very high, the apparent capacity of the water heater is higher.

I prefer hot water to the kitchen sink where hygiene is an issue and warm water just doesn't cut through the grease anyway, but in bathrooms, there is never any good reason for the water temperature to be higher than needed for a nice hot shower.

tncruiser · 10-04-2012, 07:45 AM

three ways to set temp
1 blend
2 blend
3 blend
we have a 6 gal tank and can take a limitless shower and not run out of hot water,altho kinda simplistic in their approach ,it does well
brianj

Tony Lee · 10-04-2012, 05:13 PM

I recall a case years ago when an elderly person was taking a shower and accidentally turned the cold right off and slipped and fell. By the time he could get out, he had 3rd degree burns over most of his body.

Fixed tempering valves to limit the maximum temperature - or a reduced setting on the water heater thermostat - prevents those sort of accidents