how to tell if water heater is old or new?

[discocaravan]

I have recently become the owner of a 1972 31' Sovereign... don't know much 'bout airstreams except that I love them! and I have lived in mine (full time) for a year now.

My hot water heater suddenly stopped giving me hot water (it has worked great for a whole year). Before I spend loads of money on a technician I thought I'd try a little investigation on my own.

The heater is an Atwood, model no. GC6AA-8, spec no. 117017, serial no. 96117000022 --- nowhere can i find a manufactured year. I'd like to know if it is the original water heater or if it had been replaced by the PO (I vaguely remember him telling me that the water heater had been replaced)

I have always operated it on electric, but it runs on gas too, though I could never get it to light.

The other night I thought I sensed a burning smell coming from my bathroom (where the water heater is tucked underneath). I could have been wrong, it was late at night.

any thoughts on how an amature might be able to diagnose the problem? and what year the HW heater was manufactured?

Thanks!!!! this is my first post.

Elissa

[TomW]

Originally Posted by discocaravan

...any thoughts on how an amature might be able to diagnose the problem? and what year the HW heater was manufactured?

Thanks!!!! this is my first post.

Welcome to the forum, Elissa.

Post some pictures of your water heater. Someone will recognize it.

To what degree are you willing to work on it? Replacement might be the easier route.

Tom

[Ganglin]

Your original one would have said Bowen - later became Atwood - can't be too awfully old if it's a gas and electric model.

[mandolindave]

You might be able to fix it if you throw time and money into the heater, but then you will have a heater, and tank that could go at any time. For me safety and reliability are important.
By the way, it is just a water heater not a hot water heater....why would you need to heat HOT water ( ha ha only teasing ) Dave

[Ganglin]

Looks like that is actually still for sale.

RV Water Heaters & Accessories

[InsideOut]

At that price...I would say it's worth fixing, especially since it's still a current model with parts readily available. Looks like replacement parts will run about 1/4-1/3 the cost

Any RV shop could do it...it's not an Airstream-specific part.

Shari

[SteSpot]

We had a new controller installed on our "old" water heater and it works great......C & G Trailer Service in Bellflower did the work......pj

[Fyrzowt]

Hi Elissa,
I don't have much to add regarding the water heater, all good points made above.
Mainly I wanted to welcome you to the forums!
BTW, I live in Templeton.
Dave

[mandolindave]

The board seems to be the module that is suject to failure ( even out of the box ) Dirt and cobwebs seem to be other likely troubles. I would want to have a professional look at an appliance that has fire, propane, electricity, water, and is near sleeping quarters. ( but I am not that handy with devices that I have never worked on before)

[discocaravan]

I really appreciate all the quick replies

I figured it was a newer water heater... so I think I am going to give it a shot and try to repair it. I'm eager to learn about the innerworkings and systems of my trailer, anyway.

So, in order to examine the water heater's parts to determine what is broken, I will need to unmount it from its position in the sidewall cutout? that requires popping out some rivets and a few screws?

I'll see what I can do.

Thanks for all your advice!

ps. Dave, in Templeton -- do you know of any local RV/airstream repair technicians that you would recommend in case I need help? I contacted the TrailerHitch in Pismo, they want $150 for the first half hour to come out and diagnose the problem... is that reasonable? (my trailer is in Carpenter Canyon off Hwy 227)

[TomW]

Originally Posted by discocaravan

... So, in order to examine the water heater's parts to determine what is broken, I will need to unmount it from its position in the sidewall cutout? ...

No need to remove the water heater at this point - Servicable items should be located behind the exterior access door.

For the heater to work soley on electricity, it needs electricity, a thermostat, and a heating element. Make sure the tank is full of water, and take your multi-meter & set it to volts-AC. Verify power is getting to the thermostat, then verify the thermostat is letting power get to the heating unit.

If power appears to be getting to the heating element (and there is no hot water), then disconnect power (pull the shore power plug), remove one of two wires going to the heating element, set your multi-meter to ohms, and measure the heating element's resistance. If the element is bad, your meter will indicate infinite resistance.

Tom