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08-03-2015, 07:47 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1974 27' Overlander
Ventura
, California
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 5
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Can I replace the 'Guts' of my original water heater? 1974 Overlander
Hello all .. I am in the middle of an extensive restoration .. next project is the water heater .. I am on a budget and Im wondering if I can just replace the parts of the water heater and leave the tank in place? Any Help is appreciated!!
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08-03-2015, 08:00 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
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Been there, done that. You're better off biting the bullet and buying a new replacement. The time and effort finding parts and then cobbling it all together would make a new unit look like a bargain. Also, even if you did replace the parts, there's no guarantee how much longer the tank will last. It's an easy and straight swap with a new Atwood to replace the old. You also have the option to stick with straight propane, or add options like electric ignition as well as electric heat (very handy when shore power is available).
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
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08-03-2015, 08:02 PM
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#3
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1 Rivet Member
1974 27' Overlander
Ventura
, California
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 5
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hey Thanks for the fast response!! I posted that question like 5 minutes ago!! Ok Ill go ahead and have it replaced .. Can you recommend an exact model thats a perfect swap and possibly the cheapest? Im flipping this RV .. It needs to work and be reliable but I dont need top of the line .. Thanks again!!
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08-03-2015, 08:04 PM
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#4
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1 Rivet Member
1974 27' Overlander
Ventura
, California
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 5
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Oh and to ad to my repspone .. yes I would like a both gas and electric model preferably with a control switched wired inside the trailer to avoid having to go outside
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08-03-2015, 08:07 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
1974 27' Overlander
Ventura
, California
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 5
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Just found this on eBay:
RV Atwood Water Heater - G6A-7 Six Gallon LP Gas Pilot Light , NEW for $209
will that one work?
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08-03-2015, 10:29 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1972 25' Tradewind
North Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,421
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The Atwood is a straight swap. I can't remember if the overlander came with a six or ten gallon heater. My tradewind had a six and the new Atwood six gallon was an easy swap.
__________________
Cameron & the Labradors, Kai & Samm
North Vancouver, BC
Live! Life's a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death! - Mame Dennis
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08-04-2015, 11:21 AM
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#7
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3 Rivet Member
1961 24' Tradewind
1967 26' Overlander
1973 27' Overlander
Savannah
, Georgia
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 152
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Measure, I believe the Overlander for that year it would be a ten gallon. I agree with the electric/propane dual fuel option. When you are camping with electric, you are not burning your propane. You can also use both fuels at once for fast recovery, which is great if multiple people are showering.
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08-04-2015, 11:38 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
belen
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 191
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I always go for a 10gal when I can. and dream of having a tankless someday!
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08-04-2015, 11:55 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1955 22' Safari
Laredo
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,342
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Not ideal
Quote:
Originally Posted by mewdswing
Just found this on eBay:
RV Atwood Water Heater - G6A-7 Six Gallon LP Gas Pilot Light , NEW for $209
will that one work?
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Pretty sure that model cannot be remotely activated.
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08-04-2015, 12:59 PM
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#10
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Wise Elder
2010 30' Classic
Vintage Kin Owner
South of the river
, Minnesota
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,169
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Hello mewdswing
The advice you a receiving is sound. That is an Atwood water heater, and new Atwood water heaters of the same capacity (6 or 10 gallons as the case may be) would be a drop-in fit.
The ebay listing is for a pilot light unit. That is what you have now. While it would work, you might want to consider installing a spark-ignition replacement. Doing so would require running a 12v electric line and installing a switch inside, but would be far more convenient to use. The pilot light units have to be lit manually from outside the trailer after arriving at the campground, and can blow out in windy conditions.
Whether to upgrade to a combination gas/electric unit is mostly a matter of whether you're willing and able to install the wiring for it. Yes they will allow you to use less propane but that's ordinarily not a big deal, unless you plan on spending many nights a year in the trailer (say, more than 20), or have an unusually serious problem with propane cost or availability.
__________________
To learn to see below the surface, you must adjust your altitude
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08-04-2015, 03:04 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1975 27' Overlander
LaVale
, Maryland
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 58
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I did the parts replacement when I did our '75 Overlander as the tank itself was watertight. We have been using it now for 4 months and more than happy plus it's much cheaper
__________________
Britbat & the Shiny Beast
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08-04-2015, 07:13 PM
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#12
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4 Rivet Member
1967 26' Overlander
Spartanburg
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 437
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The 12 volt ignition is worth whatever the cost. If the trailer has a bath tub as does my Overlander, the water heater is supposed to be 10 gal.
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08-25-2015, 01:08 AM
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#13
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New Member
1971 31' Excella 500
Washington
, VANCOUVER
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 3
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Got a 71 excella 500 31' RB with tub. The PO replaced the WH about 6yrs ago was wondering if one can add electric ignition aftermarket? Can you do a duel fuel retro? Also has any one got a handle on the cost to have are gal re-plumbed in pex? Got a quote for 5-6 hundred and 6 hrs to complete.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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08-25-2015, 06:48 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,118
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If you can install it yourself you can get a gas-electric direct ignition Atwood for 400 to 500 on the internet. I did mine and it was pretty easy. I rarely use the electric. I would suggest just getting a direct ignition gas heater. I think the gas only is quite a bit cheaper. We run the gas and usually the heater is only on for about an hour in the morning and at night. The PEX is pretty straightfoward to work with and if you are just changing the heater there is not much of it to do.
There are aftermarket electric add ons but the one that the PO had put on my old WH was a dangerous piece of junk. I would not go that route.
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