Replace original hot water heater

Section for discussion of Chinook interior and appliance issues, repair or installation.
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terance13
Posts: 69
Joined: July 5th, 2020, 6:00 pm

Replace original hot water heater

Post by terance13 »

What have any of you done when it’s time to replace your original hot water heater? Thanks!
chin_k
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Joined: June 26th, 2017, 9:38 pm
Location: Southern CA

Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by chin_k »

If I do a lot of camping with access to shore power, I may want to get one with AC heating element in there.

But mine is still in very good shape (the previous owner probably only camp in Oregon/Washington with really soft water), or never use the hot water. The rod is like brand-new when I inspect it last time. Probably will last for another 20 yrs.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
terance13
Posts: 69
Joined: July 5th, 2020, 6:00 pm

Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by terance13 »

Thanks!
BobW9
Posts: 252
Joined: February 16th, 2018, 4:46 pm
Location: Full-Time on the Road

Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by BobW9 »

I had to replace mine when the threading for the anode got so rusted and messed up that I couldn't re-attach the anode one Spring. I tried to repair the threads with one of those special drill bits, but it didn't work.

I replaced it with almost the same model, a Suburban Water Heater SW6DEL. This one has the option of heating using AC, as well as propane. Getting the old one out was slow and more work than expected.

Breaking the old (from 2000) seal of silicone around it was the hardest. I used an OLFA 18mm Heavy-Duty Utility Knife (using their long single blade that I bought separately, OLFA 9009 L-SOL 18mm Heavy-Duty Solid Blade, as it comes with snap-off blades) - the long 4" blade allows sliding deep into the seal so you slice through it entirely. After breaking the seal, it was still solidly stuck together, so I used plastic wedges (Katzco Plastic Doorway Wedge Kit) carefully tapped into one side at a time - inserting one wedge, then leaving that in, inserting another wedge a few inches over, and then a third. Pried the frame up bit by bit, with no scratches to the fiberglass gelcoat.

The new SW6DEL wasn't as well manufactured as I expected - the metal rim was not entirely straight, but kind of bowed in. Was a pain to get it all in and sealed up, and had to use extra butyl around where that bowing at the top was, but it worked, eventually. If you get the DEL model, you need to purchase a new inside switch for it and also AC wiring from the heater to the Distribution panel, so it is more work, but I like having hot water without using propane when I'm on shore power.

Oh, and getting my old one out was not so smooth or easy, as the tank itself had swelled over the years. I have no idea why that should happen, but it was obvious looking at the old one and the new one, that the old one was swollen in the middle. It was too fat to be pulled out through the hatch even after removing the styrofoam around it (a good 1/4" to 1/2" and fiberglass has no flex), so I had to remove it from the inside. But then the metal rim on the outside edge didn't have clearance to be pulled inside, so I had to rip that off and get it out through the hatch.

Overall, it was a much bigger job than it should have been. Makes me appreciate when a mechanic comes to me with reasons why a fix to my car or the RV took more labor than expected or usual - when stuff gets old, things happen. Though kind of glad I did it myself because I wouldn't have liked it if an RV shop tech tried to force that tank out through the hatch, and then damaged the fiberglass wall (though hopefully they would have come to the conclusion like I did to open up the inside and remove it that way).

Good luck,
Bob

The first picture shows the tank bulging in the middle. It is showing sideways, click on it for the full size and correct orientation.
WaterHeater-tank-too-fat_sideview_small.jpg
This picture shows the old heater without the frame. It fits okay around the edges, with a fairly consistent gap all around. It is showing sideways, click on it for the full size and correct orientation.
WaterHeater-frame-removed_lots-of-silicone_small.jpg
This last picture shows the new heater without the frame. You can see what a large gap there is at the top.
WaterHeater-in-place-no-frame_shows-top-gap-1_small.jpg
2000 Concourse, Ford Triton 6.8 V10
terance13
Posts: 69
Joined: July 5th, 2020, 6:00 pm

Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by terance13 »

Wow!!! You’re more ambitious than me! Thanks for all the information!
terance13
Posts: 69
Joined: July 5th, 2020, 6:00 pm

Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by terance13 »

Just an update... I had installed a Girard GSWH-2 tankless heater. Used it over two trips and it is great! $1600 installed.
chin_k
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Location: Southern CA

Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by chin_k »

terance13 wrote: June 30th, 2022, 4:17 am Just an update... I had installed a Girard GSWH-2 tankless heater. Used it over two trips and it is great! $1600 installed.
That is a pricey installation, since I see them online for maybe $600-$800. Was the install difficult, or you think it can be DIY? I wish they do make the unit smaller, since it looks like about the same size as the classic heater with tank.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
terance13
Posts: 69
Joined: July 5th, 2020, 6:00 pm

Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by terance13 »

I was charged $800 for the unit..remainder was installation, fees, etc. They said it took 5 hours to remove and replace. It was worth it for the warranty they provide.

I could probably have DIY'd, but I'd rather not "learn" how to do it. My wife likes hot water...and I'd rather provide it than be in it!!! LOL
chin_k
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Location: Southern CA

Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by chin_k »

I completely agree with you, terance13. At this stage, I still do some DIY just to keep busy and my pride often get me into trouble.
2000 Concourse dinette, on 1999 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis
68camaro
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Re: Replace original hot water heater

Post by 68camaro »

Terance13, how would the Girard GSWH-2 tankless heater do in a boonedocking situation, is it always drawing or just when using the hot water? Does it take time for the unit to get to certain temp level to start working.
2001 Concourse XL Lounge model, 6.8L Ford E350 Triton V-10 Chassis.
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