There's nothing quite like a freezing frosty shower to damage a weekend camping trip, which will be why keeping a few atwood rv water heater parts on hand is always a smart shift. When your hot water stops flowing, you usually don't have to replace the whole tank; many of the time, it's simply an one component that's made the decision to call it quits. Whether you're dealing with a preliminary light that won't stay lit or an electric element that's given up the cat, knowing which component does what may save you a ton of money and a headache at the particular repair shop.
Most Atwood heating units are pretty reliable, but they reside in a harsh environment. They're bumping down the highway, dealing with tough water, and seated through freezing winters. As time passes, things simply wear out. The great news is that these units are actually quite simple when you get the look behind the particular access panel.
The Most Common Parts That Fall short
If you're standing outside your rig staring from the water heater and wondering exactly where to start, you aren't alone. One particular of the almost all common atwood rv water heater parts to fail could be the thermal cut-off. It's that little bit of piece of wire with a clear piece of tubing over the top of it. It acts like a fuse regarding your gas collection. If the flame "blows back" or even things get as well hot near the burner, it melts and cuts the particular circuit. If your heater works on electrical but won't do anything on fuel, check that small guy first. It's cheap, and truthfully, you should probably maintain two or three in your junk drawer just in case.
Another frequent reason could be the ECO and thermostat kit. These types of are the 2 round sensors pressed against the tank, usually held in location by a foam cover plus some tape. They will tell the heater once the water is hot enough plus when to shut down for basic safety. If your water is coming out lukewarm or, conversely, is getting dangerously hot, these receptors are likely the problem. They're offered as a set, and it's usually best to simply swap both while you're in right now there.
Dealing With the Circuit Board
The circuit panel is the "brain" of the procedure. If you've obtained a DSI (Direct Spark Ignition) design, the board handles the spark, the gas valve, plus the safety inspections. When a panel goes bad, you might hear the "click-click-click" of the igniter, but the flame never catches. Or, you might get absolutely nothing when you change the switch inside the RV.
Modern atwood rv water heater parts have advanced a bit, and you can now find automotive aftermarket boards that are a little more rugged compared to the originals. They're often "potted, " meaning they're covered in a tough resin to guard them from humidity and vibration. When you find your self replacing your plank every two yrs, it might be worth looking straight into one of those heavy-duty versions.
Troubleshooting the Fuel Burner Components
If you're somebody who likes the particular "boondocking" life, you probably rely greatly on the gas side of your water heater. This system has the few moving parts that may get finicky. The burner pipe itself is just a metal tube, but it's a favorite nesting spot with regard to spiders. It noises crazy, but the tiny spider internet inside that pipe can mess up the air-to-fuel rate and cause the "roar" or avoid the flame through staying lit.
You've also got the gas valve and the interest igniter. The igniter may be the little electrode that creates the particular spark to light the gas. Occasionally the end gets protected in soot or even the ceramic casing cracks. You are able to usually clean up with a bit of sandpaper, but in case it's cracked, it won't throw the strong enough spark. In that situation, you'll have to get a replacement from your stash of atwood rv water heater parts .
The Electric Heating Component
When you're plugged into coast power at the campground, utilizing the electric side of the heater is the way to go. It saves your own propane for barbecuing and keeps things quiet. However, the particular heating element is a common failure stage, especially if you've ever accidentally converted it on while the tank was empty. If you that will, the element will certainly burn out within about thirty seconds.
Replacing the element on a good Atwood is the bit different compared to on other manufacturers. Most Atwoods have got the element located on the back of the tank. What this means is a person usually have to crawl under the cabinet or through a storage bay inside the RV to reach it. You'll need a specific thin-walled socket to get it out, yet once you've obtained the tool, it's a fairly straightforward swap. Just make sure the strength is away before you begin poking about using a wrench.
Why Atwood is definitely Different From Suburban
If you've owned several various RVs, you may be searching for an pluspol rod. Here's a little secret: Atwood water heaters don't use them. Unlike Suburban heaters, which have steel tanks that need a sacrificial positive elektrode rod to prevent corroding, Atwood tanks are usually made of an aluminum alloy.
Aluminum doesn't rust the exact same way, so you won't find an positive elektrode rod among your atwood rv water heater parts . Instead, you just possess a plastic drain plug. Don't replace that will plastic plug with a metal one, possibly! A metal put can react with the aluminum tank and essentially weld alone into place, that is a nightmare when a person attempt to winterize your own rig. Stick along with the cheap plastic ones; they're created to be the "weak point" therefore you don't remove the threads on your expensive tank.
Maintenance as well as the Pressure Relief Device
We can't talk about parts without mentioning the Pressure and Temperature (P& T) relief valve. That's the small lever-action valve close to the top of the unit outdoors. If you notice it dripping occasionally, don't panic. This doesn't always suggest the valve is definitely broken. Usually, it ways the air pocket on top of the tank has been absorbed.
In order to fix it, you simply need to drain the particular tank a bit and let a few air back within. However, if it's gushing water or won't stop leaking even after you've tried to reset to zero the air pocket, the particular spring inside offers probably weakened. It's a typical plumbing part, but getting 1 specifically rated intended for your Atwood device ensures the pressure settings are right for your RV's plumbing system.
Tips for Buying and Replacing Parts
When you start shopping with regard to atwood rv water heater parts , the particular most important issue is to have your own model number convenient. You'll usually find it on a small sticker within the outside access door. It'll be something similar to "G6A-8E" or "GC10A-4E. "
The "G" represents gasoline, the "C" appears for combo (gas and electric), and the number (6 or 10) tells a person the gallon capability. Knowing these details is the difference between getting the particular right part the first time and needing to make 3 trips to the particular store while you're supposed to become relaxing by the particular campfire.
It's also worth observing that Dometic purchased Atwood a few years back. So, in case you observe a part in the Dometic box but the description says it's for an Atwood heater, don't worry. It's likely the exact same element. Just double-check the particular part numbers to be certain.
Wrapping Some misconception
At the particular end of the day, keeping your own RV's water heater in top condition isn't rocket science. Simply by understanding how the different atwood rv water heater parts work together, you can troubleshoot nearly any issue that will pops up. Regardless of whether it's a simple fix just like a broken thermal cut-off or something a bit more involved like a brand-new circuit board, getting prepared means you won't be trapped taking "sponge baths" with cold water on your next outing. Keep a small kit associated with the basics in your tool compartment, and you'll be the hero of the particular campground when someone else's heater unavoidably decides to quit.