Can I save this bowen water heater

[valentine]

Hi evryone! I have a 64 globetrotter with the origional bowen hot water heater. The water heater is missing at least the pilot knob on the controller. I have posted an ad on air classifieds looking for the controller but havn't had a even nibble. The tank seems to hold water, but w/o the controller working, I can't give it a full test. Does anybody out there have a controller they don't need anymore?
I understand that putting too much time or money into a 45 year old hwh isn't going to get me anywhere. So, this leads me to the next question. How do you get the old water heater out? I have read several threads on this subject and it sounds easier for some than others. I have removed all the screws that I can find and given it a few good tugs...doesnt budge.
So, given that I don't find a controller to get my bowen working again, and I effortlessly slide out the old hunk of corosion. What is the best hwh to use for this trailer, while still keeping as many of the cover pieces possible? Is there anyone out there that has upgraded to a larger, or tankless and would like to find a home to their last?

[DEITZ645]

Valentine,
Take a look at this thread...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f445...ter-29828.html

I have seen other threads here where people replace their Bowen water heater with a new modern water heater and modify the outside trim / door from the Bowen to keep the vintage appearance.

Try a Google search like this...

water heater door site:www.airforums.com

And you will be given a list of threads where "water heater door" appears in the thread.

Good luck.

[Foiled Again]

50 year old propane device ...
Airstream restored. Cost: hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars...
Light flame, walk away...


Doesn't sound like a good combination to me. Replace it.

I fulltime, leave my water heater on all of the time. I expect it to last 5 years max. The water heater in many units gets a lot more wear and tear than the stove or oven or furnace - or even the refrigerator on the propane side. My vintage buddy Sharon - GT1963 who came over to the "dark side" and bought my 2005 22' CCD has been ruined by not having to go outside in the freezing cold or rain to light the water heater... Oh the decadance of simply flipping a switch to turn it on! Safer and spoiled - sounds like a good combo!

Paula

[SilverHoot]

I removed the Bowen heater from my 1963 SS and will send any parts from it that you can use for the price of postage only. I cannot currently as I am recovering from foot surgery. Hopefully within a weeks time though. I have attached a pic that I took a few weeks ago if it helps at all.

Michael

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by SilverHoot

I removed the Bowen heater from my 1963 SS and will send any parts from it that you can use for the price of postage only. I cannot currently as I am recovering from foot surgery. Hopefully within a weeks time though. I have attached a pic that I took a few weeks ago if it helps at all.

Michael

You didn't drop the water heater on your foot did you?

[SilverHoot]

I dropped the whole trailer on my foot, but no, had neuroma's removed.

[Kevin245]

Ditto to Post #3. Two primary reasons

Safety

Efficiency

Convenience


OK...Three Reasons

[bevman]

I put a 6 gal Suburban in as a replacement, but kept the original Bowen door. (The Atwood and Suburban doors are more appropriate on the white box trailers.) The Bowen tank does go out, but you may have some straps/brackets inside bolting it to the floor - I did. It was snug, getting it out. I sat on the floor and used my feet to push, left and right, to work it out of the hole.

[VIKING]

These pictures may help with the removal process. The first shows the gas feed coming up through the floor and connecting to the water heater. there should be an access panel to get to this inside the trailer.
the second photo shows the connections on the back side (so to speak) of the WH. the green hose is the drain line, then there are a couple of pipes to remove. the pipe on the far right of the photo with the cap on it can stay. You just have to turn the WH as you pull it out to get it through the opening. There are some aluminum trim pieces in the right side of the photo also. They had to be removed to get the WH out as well.
As you can see, it's pretty easy if you have already stripped out your whole interior! I have more pics if needed.
Good Luck! Rich

[Jim Clark]

If you remove the cover and insulation you should find a very nice aluminum
tank, mine was close to a work of art.