Water heater questions

MbFlash · 10-01-2023, 09:34 AM

Just came back from a week long trip to Strawberry Park in CT. The water heater worked fine and provided plenty of HOT water, it just seemed to run a lot when I wasn't using any water. No leaks or drippy faucets. It just seemed to run a lot, could there be that much standby loss? Any ideas or thoughts?
BTW Strawberry Park

**chuckster57** · 10-01-2023, 10:06 AM

How much is a lot? if you use a lot of hot water and you only have a 6 gallon tank it will burn a bunch of propane to recover. If your on full hook ups I would use the electric and only supplement with the gas when your doing showers or dishes.

MbFlash · 10-01-2023, 10:11 AM

It seemed to turn on every 20 minutes or so with no water usage. Unfortunately there is no electric option for this heater that I know of,

**chuckster57** · 10-01-2023, 10:14 AM

What year/model trailer and WH?

MbFlash · 10-01-2023, 12:21 PM

2022 Hideout 178RB Dometic WH-6GA water heater.

**chuckster57** · 10-01-2023, 01:50 PM

That is gas only. How long does it run when it lights?

MbFlash · 10-01-2023, 02:20 PM

Yes I know its a gas only unit, unfortunately. My 05 Cub had both electric and gas it was nice. Never really timed the run time. Next time out I will. It just seems to start and stop a lot.(standby loss?) It does have a lot of very hot water (no complaints there) enough for the two of us to take showers and not run out.

**JRTJH** · 10-01-2023, 04:48 PM

Just thinking out loud here, but you may have a defective thermostat. The way it's "supposed to work" is that the gas fires, water heats until the thermostat reaches 130F. Then it shuts off until the temperature falls to 100F and the thermostat calls for heat until the temperature go up to 130F again and the cycle repeats.

If your thermostat is not "tightly secured to the tank wall" it may not be reading a consistent temperature, but cooling too fast (if the screws are loose).... So, those two black rubber plugs on the tank face, just above the gas valve, pull the rubber plug and check that the thermostat is tightly screwed in place and that the wires are securely connected.

This may not be your problem and you may eventually need a new thermostat (easy to change out) but I'd first check the installation to make sure things are properly tightened and making good contact with the tank.

**chuckster57** · 10-01-2023, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Just thinking out loud here, but you may have a defective thermostat. The way it's "supposed to work" is that the gas fires, water heats until the thermostat reaches 130F. Then it shuts off until the temperature falls to 100F and the thermostat calls for heat until the temperature go up to 130F again and the cycle repeats.

If your thermostat is not "tightly secured to the tank wall" it may not be reading a consistent temperature, but cooling too fast (if the screws are loose).... So, those two black rubber plugs on the tank face, just above the gas valve, pull the rubber plug and check that the thermostat is tightly screwed in place and that the wires are securely connected.

This may not be your problem and you may eventually need a new thermostat (easy to change out) but I'd first check the installation to make sure things are properly tightened and making good contact with the tank.

You’re thinking what I’m thinking, but I think this has the two “buttons” held in place by a foam pad.

MbFlash · 10-01-2023, 06:03 PM

Interesting thought, I will try to check tomorrow. I will let you know what I find.

Thanks

MbFlash · 10-05-2023, 02:46 PM

I took a look for the rubber plugs and I don't see them. I will try to post a picture of it.

bobbecky · 10-05-2023, 06:22 PM

If he has a gas only unit, it will have only one reset plug. That is if the water heater was a Suburban. Not sure what a Dometic/Atwood water heater has for the thermostat, but don't think it has reset buttons under any rubber caps.

**chuckster57** · 10-05-2023, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbecky

If he has a gas only unit, it will have only one reset plug. That is if the water heater was a Suburban. Not sure what a Dometic/Atwood water heater has for the thermostat, but don't think it has rest buttons under any rubber caps.

Like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Thermostat-As...22073617&psc=1

bobbecky · 10-05-2023, 09:25 PM

For those thermostats on the Dometic water heater, then there are no reset buttons to push.

MbFlash · 10-06-2023, 05:19 PM

Thanks, Very interesting I will have to carefully remove the rubber cover and check it out.

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