Water heaters

[Jim Blackwood]

Anyone know what's up with Atwood?
I've been looking for one of their #94186 water heaters and nobody has one. Except maybe for one or two price gougers that I refuse to buy from. I'd just like to know what's going on. Critical parts shortage? Can't keep up with demand? Discontinued? What?

It's pretty much exactly what I want. 10 gallon capacity, both electric and propane fired, both can be used at the same time, and it has a pilot light which keeps the water warm when it's not turned on. None of this electronic lighter stuff which I would not really object to if it was used to light the pilot but that's not the way they do it.

I guess Dometic or someone probably makes a similar unit but I do like the Atwood.

Anybody heard anything?

Jim

[Utahclaimjumper]

How about getting a propane only,, then install a "hotrod" and wire it yourself.??.>>>Dan

[Jim Blackwood]

Yeah, that'd be my next approach I think.

Which is fine if there's a plug for an anode and a separate drain, and an aluminum tank so it doesn't need an anode.

Jim

[richard5933]

Atwood is now Dometic. If you are looking for one of the actual Atwood models, you're limited to stock on hand at the retailers. Nothing to do with parts shortages.

Dometic is selling a 6 gal and 9 gal version of the old Atwood heaters with gas & electric.

https://www.dometic.com/en-us/outdoor/hygiene-and-sanitation/water-heaters/water-heaters

There are other options out there besides the Atwood/Dometic depending on your priorities regarding size, electric vs. gas, etc.

[Dave5Cs]

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Water-Heaters/Dometic/DMC74FR.html?feed=npn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20%7C%20Shop%20-%20RV%20Water%20Heaters&adgroupid=131958332559&campaignid=242152337&creative=578411987427&device=c&devicemodel=&feeditemid=&keyword=&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=1019973&matchtype=&network=g&placement=&position=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwxIOXBhCrARIsAL1QFCYKsD3keL8nyRaTV3zl7RkZNwC-9B0fowLfgTVKwVnw4zgEHYfijDsaAuopEALw_wcB
$558.44

[Van]

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Atwood-94186-Pilot-Water-Heater-10-Gallon-LP-Electric/126797051

$660.00 About

Outta stock = nada, zip!

[luvrbus]

Everything is out of stock or on back order lol you can get the lo profile Coleman 15,000 btu heat pump AC in about a year if you order now and pay in advance

[richard5933]

Are these out of stock or out of production? Try looking for a Dometic water heater instead of the Atwood, since that's what they are now. Lots of these are showing as 'in stock' online right now.

[Jim Blackwood]

Outta stock = nada, zip!

That's the one I'm looking for, and the price I'm looking for too. So far the only ones I've seen in stock are from a couple of places charging $1000 for the same thing.

So far all the Dometics I've seen use the spark igniter which is something I don't want.

Jim

[chessie4905]

why not a small electric only or a marine version with a coolant coil? Both are dead reliable, lot cheaper ( maybe not the marine version) and no down the road complexities to fail or act up.

[Jim Blackwood]

That's a reasonable question and it goes to usage. Here's why I'm insistent on a piloted water heater: Once I park the first thing I do is light the pilot and leave the WH on pilot only. That eventually brings the water in the tank up to warm which is just right for washing hands and light dish work, which most of it usually always is. With just the pilot burning, propane use is basically insignificant so it can run like that for very extended periods without concern. If the pilot blows out it'll shut off so it's safe.

I only need HOT water for showers and similar usage, like in this case for the dishwasher and washing machine and it's easy enough to switch on the main burner for that. If I don't want to go outside I can just switch on the electric element. The Gas/Electric adds faster warmup and extended use, I use a lighted switch to turn on the electric element and generally put it by the door for convenience and high visability. And I've found that there really is no need to have the electric side on all the time as long as the pilot is lit. The fact is, I rather prefer just turning on the hot water tap and having the right temperature to having to adjust both the hot and cold. I got used to that really quickly and want it the same way on my bus.

So I guess in reality the Atwood was absorbed by Dometic and is a thing of the past now. Too bad, that means the prices will go up, and from all appearances by about 60%. I'm not so in love with Dometic that I can support that.

I've been looking at the Suburban SW10PE Evidently they have a very good reputation so I think I will go ahead and order one. Has anyone found a really nice access door?

Jim

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Maybe try to find an rv wrecking yard and see if they have any?

[TomC]

I have two 10 gal Reliant electric water heaters straight from Home Depot. My first pair I installed in 1993 and in 2021 replaced them. Besides drain them every so often what did I do-absolutely nothing! I liked it so much I replaced with exactly the same on my bus and the new ones were a bit smaller. I also liked the setup of one water heater feeding into the next, I used it on my truck conversion. If the heating element goes out (which it never did) it is $20 at HD. Stick with simple. Good Luck, TomC

[Jim Blackwood]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments. I found an open box on the Suburban SW10PE (Suburban, Water heater, 10 gal, Pilot, Electric) and paid $530 with tax and shipping. No door though.

Anybody able to recommend a particularly nice looking door and door frame?

Jim

[Van]

Try UnitedRv.com