Atwood Water Heater Thermostat question

[ret2006]

My 2006 Cruiser has an Atwood 6 gallon Gas/Electric water heater, Model 4 E, I think. Although I am pretty good at figuring out things by reading manuals and instructions, I can't figure out how to adjust the temperature on the water heater, mine heats the water very hot, too hot. The manual refers to these water heaters having either a White Rodgers or Robertshaw control valve with the diagram of each but neither look like the valve on my Atwood and I can't find any knob or adjustment.

Can anyone give me some suggestions?

[Chrisnan23]

Most water heaters do not have an adjustable thermostat. Our 2005 is not adjustable.

[Hamops]

If your water heater has an "E" designation, it uses neither of the two valves that you mentioned.Instead, it uses a soleniod valve that suppliesgas to the burner andaccording to the manual the ECO/thermostat (item 17) controls the solenoid valve. If your water is getting too hot then I would check to see if the ECO/thermostat is turning off the solenoid valve. Connect a meter to the lead going to to the solenoid and ground and monitor the voltage as the heater is working on gas. Your should read about 12 volts nominal. If the voltage drops to 0 volt and the burner continues operate, then I would suspect that your solenoid is stuck open. If the voltage remains at 12 volts nominal and the water temperature continues to rise, I would suspect the ECO/thermostat.

Presently, I have a problem with the solenoid, in that it will not open when voltage is applied to it and it will have to be replaced which is a lot more costly option than the ECO/thermostat. Edited by: Hamops

[cwit]

I believe you can now buy a mixer valve that you can add cold water to hot.

[Stan]

The water heater I have is the 10 gallon model and it does not have an adjustable thermostat. The temp is set to 140 dgs at the factory which I think is too hot also but we have learned to live with it. We just turn down the hot water and actually you can take a long shower if you turn down the hot instead of turning up the cold.

[Chrisnan23]

Originally Posted by Hamops

If your water heater has an "E" designation, it uses neither of the two valves that you mentioned.Instead, it uses a soleniod valve that suppliesgas to the burner andaccording to the manual the ECO/thermostat (item 17) controls the solenoid valve. If your water is getting too hot then I would check to see if the ECO/thermostat is turning off the solenoid valve. Connect a meter to the lead going to to the solenoid and ground and monitor the voltage as the heater is working on gas. Your should read about 12 volts nominal. If the voltage drops to 0 volt and the burner continues operate, then I would suspect that your solenoid is stuck open. If the voltage remains at 12 volts nominal and the water temperature continues to rise, I would suspect the ECO/thermostat.

Presently, I have a problem with the solenoid, in that it will not open when voltage is applied to it and it will have to be replaced which is a lot more costly option than the ECO/thermostat.

The easier way to see if it's the gas valve or not is to run it on electric and see if the water is still just as hot. If it is then it's the fixed thermostat if not it may be the valve.

[Hamops]

Chrisnan23

The easier way to see if it's the gas valve or not is to run it on electric and see if the water is still just as hot. If it is then it's the fixed thermostat if not it may be the valve.

After having a closer look at the schematic, that would be another and simpler way to determine if the ECO/thermostat is at fault.



In my case, the soleniod valve is knackered, and I have to replace it. Edited by: Hamops

[Chrisnan23]

In my case, the soleniod valve is knackered, and I have to replace it.











Been an awfully long time since I heard "knackered"!



Thanks for that!

[jgerni]

I'm wondering if the optional accessory from Atwood (adjustable thermostat 93105) would work. Check out the Atwood HW heater brochure clicky

[Stan]

I would imagine the thermostat would work in electric mode but not gas (?).

[jgerni]

Called Atwood and they said the Thermostat would work in Gas or Electric mode. That might be your answer if it works for your model.

[oldblue]

Have 2007 tlr 10 gal tank runs 155-160 degree put new thermostat in no change put in ajustable did not work but a short time then could not keep it adjusted which i have heard they do not work right called atwood again they sent new one at no cost i am back to 155 - 160 i give up this way to hot if any one has an idea would like to here from them 3 reg and 1 adjustable and back to sq one thanks for any info gerald