Community Forums

fixn2gocamp · 05-03-2014, 09:19 AM

Has anyone out there replaced their own elec/gas water heater? If so, would you share your experience? We are getting ready to replace our Atwood GC10A4E on our MH. Have read several forums that claim that installation is easy enough to do...but of course, the manufacturer warns that it must be installed by trained qualified technician..etc. Debating the several hundred dollar installation cost vs doing it ourselves if possible and advisable. Thanks for the feedback.

Skip426 · 05-03-2014, 09:43 AM

Turn off the propane , disconnect coach from shore power, drain the water.
Take photos of all connections ; water & electric ; before you remove them . Have the grey sealant tape that most manufacturers use to seal the heater mount flange to the coach wall in hand. Remove connections & mount screws, pull heater, clean old seal tape from coach wall, install new tape, install new heater , re-connect, fill with water check for leaks, test fire, propane .
Are you done yet ?
Sorry I've done 8>10 of these, no real problems for anyone that's at all handy with tools.

fixn2gocamp · 05-03-2014, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip426

Turn off the propane , disconnect coach from shore power, drain the water.
Take photos of all connections ; water & electric ; before you remove them . Have the grey sealant tape that most manufacturers use to seal the heater mount flange to the coach wall in hand. Remove connections & mount screws, pull heater, clean old seal tape from coach wall, install new tape, install new heater , re-connect, fill with water check for leaks, test fire, propane .
Are you done yet ?
Sorry I've done 8>10 of these, no real problems for anyone that's at all handy with tools.

You have inspired me to give this a try! Now I'm all pumped up and have to wait for the water heater I ordered this morning to arrive. Thanks for the info Skip!

Skip426 · 05-03-2014, 10:06 AM

I forgot , check propane connection with soapy water before flashing the heater up.

jesilvas · 05-03-2014, 10:21 AM

It's not hard. Just keep track of all steps and take your time the first time. Skip's step are great.

gacamp · 05-04-2014, 01:52 PM

There are a couple of video's on youtube showing exactly how to do this, does not appear difficult at all.

fixn2gocamp · 05-08-2014, 03:08 PM

Thanks for the tips everyone!

The water heater came yesterday....was put in today, after reading Skip's post, watching a couple of UTube vid's. It was VERY easy...came right out, went right in, all testing was done and we have hot water with no leaks!! Took about 1.5 hours. Friend of ours put the old tank under pressure in his shop and found a one inch crack at the weld on the old one....