Atwood Water Heater Question

[PaulDeb2]

This is our second trip of the season and our water heater is heating inconsistently. We turn on the gas prior to using the water for showers.

The first morning I showered the water was tepid (I'd say cold!). Then last night the hot water lasted, but only for about 5 minutes. When my husband showered after me, he said the hot water was fine.

Our Bullet is a 2011. Has the water heater gone bad? Or does it need a new thermostat?

[Javi]

Are you saying that you are only using the gas side of the heating and ignoring the electric element? Or, are you dry camping and using the gas intermittently just to heat water for a bath... turning it off afterward?

[GaryWT]

More details. We put ours on electric when we arrive and turn the gas on before we shower. If you are just turning the gas on before a shower it might not have had enough time to warm up.

[Steve S]

I've timed taking a shower and on average I get between 7 1/2 to 8 mins and it's been consistent since I've owned the unit.
I run LP only in the summer as I see no point in having water being heated when it only takes the LP 7 mins to heat the tank.

[jkohler70]

I've found that it takes relatively little propane/electric to maintain temperature, so it's just not worth MY effort to switch sources on/off. I consider myself frugal, but unless you're full-timing, it's probably not more than a few bucks a year difference.

[GaryWT]

We keep ours on electric as it does not cost us anything and I like to wash my hands or do dishes during the day and don't want to wait for water but that is. It the issue. I would give it another trip before thinking there is an issue. Maybe the tank was not full or maybe the bypass knobs are not open all the way or some other quirky thing. Give it another try to see how it goes.