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03-31-2013, 03:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 405
SUN #4422
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water heater leaking
hello again,
there was a small leak coming from the outside edge next to the water heater, and when I looked under the bench seat, sure enough the whole bottom of the hot water cover was molded and wet. i tore back the water heater cover a bit but can't see where the water is coming from. neither the intake hose or output hoses were leaking, so it seems like it's coming from the bottom somewhere. It seems unlikely that the tank itself has a hole since it's so thick, and the water is not gushing, but it's dripping. I don't see another way the water could be leaking from.
my question is how should I go about investigating this further? I'd rather hire someone to install a new one if this one should be scrapped.
and if I tear off the cover, how do I replace it--that is assuming I don't have to replace the whole unit-?
thanks for reading,
noralee
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1983 Sunline TT1350
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04-01-2013, 06:16 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
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Pretty common the bottom of the tanks rot and get very small pin holes in them. There is no way to completely drain the tanks and all the crud collects on the bottom and rots the tank. They make a little hose that fits in the tank to wash it out but I',m not sure that helps a whole lot.
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04-01-2013, 06:54 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 22
SUN #4473
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The same thing happened to me, only it was under the bed. After several attempts to locate the leak, I finally replaced the tank (Atwood)
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04-01-2013, 06:19 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 945
SUN #258
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After I picked up my T-1950 and put water in the system I had a leak on the bottom of a brand new unit. Since there was evidence that there was water on the floor before, when the dealer replaced it he thought they may have left water in it when they winterized it on the lot. It was a small split hole on the bottom.
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Paul & Sheri - Upstate New York - SUN-0258
Amateur Radio KD2KCY - VHF 146.520 MHz
2012 F150 F/X 4, 6cyl EcoBoost, Max Tow pkg
2013 Rockwood 8280WS 5th wheel
2006 Sunline Solaris T-1950
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04-01-2013, 09:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 405
SUN #4422
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ok. well, i guess i'll do some more investigating tomorrow and if i don't find anything i can plug up, it'll have to be replaced.
Does anyone know of any directions I could read or info about how to remove the tank? I think I'll probably end up replacing it with a tankless water heater the tank is 30yrs old and likely it will be shot. any suggestions about those would be great too!
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1983 Sunline TT1350
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04-02-2013, 03:53 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
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The tankless heaters are expensive the little 6 gallon tank ones can be bought for less then half the price of a tankless. To me a tankless one in a small camper is kind of worthless you'll have plenty of hot water but not much water to heat it least the water heater gives you another 6 gallons of water storage.
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04-02-2013, 06:41 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,515
SUN #768
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I had to replace my water heater tank right after I bought my "slightly abused" Sunny. (previous owner didn't winterize). I see replacement tanks online now ranging from $160 to $250 or more. Mine was just under $200 at the time in 2004. You do need to know the exact model number of the heater to get the right tank. It took me the better part of a day to replace the tank part of the heater since I knew nothing about what I was doing at the time and I was working slow. I took a few pictures so the wires would get put back in the right places. I recall seeing instructions in the last year or two on how to change just the tank but can't find them now. If you choose to try replacing the tank I may be able to offer more detail on what I did.
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Gene & DW Ginny
2002 Sunline T-2363
2008 Toyota 4-runner 4wd 4.7L V-8
Reese Dual Cam straightline - P3 Brake controller
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04-05-2013, 05:37 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: New York
Posts: 945
SUN #258
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Check out Camping world. A tankless or on demand WH is about $1000. A new 6 gal HWH is about $500. The little I use it it's not worth it. I have plenty of hot water and use two tanks of gas a season. If I saved one tank a year it would take me 17 years to break even at $1000 for the tank vs $500.
I think you'll find that all new campers will come with tankless HWH soon.
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Paul & Sheri - Upstate New York - SUN-0258
Amateur Radio KD2KCY - VHF 146.520 MHz
2012 F150 F/X 4, 6cyl EcoBoost, Max Tow pkg
2013 Rockwood 8280WS 5th wheel
2006 Sunline Solaris T-1950
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04-06-2013, 03:30 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 405
SUN #4422
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Thanks for the tips.
Took out the WH today and there was a small hole at the bottom. the floor underneath will need to be replaced as well because of a lot of mold.
now just have to decide what to replace it with. my next thoughts on a tankless WH is that i was thinking about putting in an outside shower, so filling up the grey water tank which is small isn't such an issue with that. but otherwise, it also sounds like a 6 gal would also work pretty well for me. whatever i do, i'll have to get a used one.
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1983 Sunline TT1350
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04-06-2013, 05:52 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
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Here is a price after a very quick check Suburban 6 Gallon Water Heater SW6P - $238.15 The best choice would be the same type that is in it just makes it a lot easier to replace.
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04-10-2013, 07:41 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 405
SUN #4422
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thanks for that mainah. i had a 4 gallon atwood. but i wouldn't put in another 4gal. looks like either a 6 gal or a tankless.
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1983 Sunline TT1350
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04-10-2013, 07:50 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 405
SUN #4422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pwb01
I think you'll find that all new campers will come with tankless HWH soon.
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why do you think this is true, pwb01? this makes me think that i should go tankless if i can.
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1983 Sunline TT1350
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05-07-2013, 05:37 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 405
SUN #4422
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mainah
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mainah,
can i use the 6 gal suburban to replace the 4gal atwood, or does it have to be an atwood?
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1983 Sunline TT1350
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05-07-2013, 06:21 PM
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#14
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,651
SUN #89
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Noralee
See this post. Frank_a replaced his 4 gallon with a 6 gallon Suburban and did a good job at documenting the journey, complete with pics
http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f7...ons-13705.html
and some more
http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...h-13846-2.html
And this one with the install
http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f6...all-13869.html
You will have to work through the depth and outer face size changes.
Hope this helps
John
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Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
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05-17-2013, 10:37 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 405
SUN #4422
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here's what i got from adventurerv.net, $255 with shipping should arrive next week.
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1983 Sunline TT1350
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05-18-2013, 09:53 AM
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#16
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Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,651
SUN #89
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A new Atwood gas control job. Very nice!
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Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
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05-18-2013, 07:10 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,515
SUN #768
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That looks like a wise choice and a good investment. Being an Atwood, it should be a "Plug and Play" as they say.
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Gene & DW Ginny
2002 Sunline T-2363
2008 Toyota 4-runner 4wd 4.7L V-8
Reese Dual Cam straightline - P3 Brake controller
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05-18-2013, 08:23 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 405
SUN #4422
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thanks guys! and thanks for all the help with this decision! hope it is 'plug and play.'
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1983 Sunline TT1350
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