Replaced the hot water heater

Section for discussion of Chinook interior and appliance issues, repair or installation.
Manitou
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Joined: January 12th, 2014, 7:18 pm

Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Manitou »

Thanks to my improper winterization, I got to replace the suburban hot water heater with a new one. After looking at the old one closer and closer, it wasn't such a bad thing to replace it.
Getting the outside flange to let go of its glue/silicone and come off was the worst of it.
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RyanSnyder
Posts: 1
Joined: July 20th, 2015, 9:43 pm

Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by RyanSnyder »

Well, I say that this is really a good idea. Right now I am still using my old water heater http://www.bestsellingreviews.com/Home/Water-Heater/. But maybe I could do stuff like this when I need to replace a new one. Thanks!
Last edited by RyanSnyder on August 24th, 2015, 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Manitou
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Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Manitou »

Welcome Ryan. I can't say I would have replaced it before it broke, but since it did break (froze.. Somehow screwed up and didn't get antifreeze into it.. Or at least not enough) I replaced it with new. The old one had seen better days anyway, but I'll drain the tank before I start putting in the pink stuff next time just to be safer now.
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Blue~Go
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Joined: July 31st, 2014, 1:01 am
Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Blue~Go »

This is a bit of a spontaneous toss-off, but I bought a brand new Suburban water heater and new door for my Concourse, but have decided to go sans water heater for now. As such, I was just keeping it in the box in storage, ready for that day. But.... maybe I should sell it and then buy another one if/when.

If you are interested, Ryan, just PM me.
1999 Concourse
Concourse
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Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Concourse »

The key to winterizing a hot water heater is to shutoff/divert the two water valves on the coach/inside side of the hot water heater and pull the anode rod to drain the water out of the tank.
2004 Chinook Concourse (Sold and missed)
Manitou
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Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Manitou »

Do you blow out everything with compressed air or use the pink stuff after that?
Skillet
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Joined: March 22nd, 2015, 7:45 am
Location: Northern Virginia

Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Skillet »

Where did you end up purchasing it from? Mine's not looking great and I want to find a good place to keep in my bookmarks when it's time to change it.
'02 Concourse where there's always a project going on...
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Blue~Go
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Location: 1999 Concourse

Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Blue~Go »

I think I either got it from Amazon or maybe Adventure RV. Note that the door/flange are a separate item.

In my rig the water heater is a Suburban SW6D. This is 6-gallon, direct spark ignition (so you can start from inside rig), propane powered. The Suburban SW6DE can also be run on electric power (if plugged in) (with appropriate wiring).
1999 Concourse
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Location: New Hampshire

Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Concourse »

Manitou wrote:Do you blow out everything with compressed air or use the pink stuff after that?
Pink stuff but not in the hot water heater. I divert the water (two valves), drain tank, and drain the floor valves. Pink stuff is for the Pex lines in the coach and P-traps. If there is no water in the water heater then nothing to freeze and expand.

What broke in your water heater?
2004 Chinook Concourse (Sold and missed)
Concourse
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Joined: August 11th, 2014, 9:54 am
Location: New Hampshire

Re: Replaced the hot water heater

Post by Concourse »

Skillet wrote:Where did you end up purchasing it from? Mine's not looking great and I want to find a good place to keep in my bookmarks when it's time to change it.
That Suburban water heater is super common. The local RV shop near me has 3 in stock and I live in the woods not a city.
2004 Chinook Concourse (Sold and missed)
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