Bowen Water Heater

[61BambiCanada]

I just got the bad news from the propane shop. ALl of my appliances are now working with the exception of the Bowen Water Heater. The tech says that the controls are shot, and that it will be several hundred dollars to convert it to the newer controls as the older ones are no longer available. Only then, he says, will he be able to determine if the tank itself is working.

Question - Does the predessessor of Bowen still have controls available? Does anyone have experience in repairing one of these tanks they think would be valuable to me? Does anyone know where I could find a working tank?

Thank you in advance

Larry

[Jim Clark]

Originally posted by 61BambiCanada
I just got the bad news from the propane shop. ALl of my appliances are now working with the exception of the Bowen Water Heater. The tech says that the controls are shot, and that it will be several hundred dollars to convert it to the newer controls as the older ones are no longer available. Only then, he says, will he be able to determine if the tank itself is working.

Question - Does the predessessor of Bowen still have controls available? Does anyone have experience in repairing one of these tanks they think would be valuable to me? Does anyone know where I could find a working tank?

Thank you in advance

Larry

First the tank has a fire tube in it surrounded by water. He can check the tank condition and should check the tank by hydrostatic testing using water before replacing controls. Should be pressurized to 150 %(Verify This Number It May Have Changed) of it's rated capacity. You do not need controls to do this. Ask him about this and if you get a blank stare run don’t walk away he has no clue. Do a search for pressure vessels and hydrostatic testing. ASME


I did mine myself for about $150.00. New control and new pilot and thermocouple. The RV dealer said it couldn't be done. At one time in my life I ran a plumbing shop and changed many a heater control. Be sure the control you use is rated for propane. If you tack on labor you would be better off with a new unit. I did my own labor and really wanted to save the style of the cover to stay with the look and feel of the unit.

Bowen was no help. Get hold of a good plumber not a RV mech. A Hot water heate is a hot water heater the fuel is the difference.

[Larry71]

Originally Posted by 61BambiCanada

I just got the bad news from the propane shop. ALl of my appliances are now working with the exception of the Bowen Water Heater. The tech says that the controls are shot, and that it will be several hundred dollars to convert it to the newer controls as the older ones are no longer available. Only then, he says, will he be able to determine if the tank itself is working.

Question - Does the predessessor of Bowen still have controls available? Does anyone have experience in repairing one of these tanks they think would be valuable to me? Does anyone know where I could find a working tank?

Thank you in advance

Larry

Hi Larry,

I was searching for info on the propane control for my Bowen water heater in a 71 Safari. The only thing I found was a thread from you in 2002 looking into getting repair parts for this heater. I see that you never got any response. I wonder if you ever found out anything and if you did could you share it with me.

Thanks,

Larry