Water Heater thermostat?

[geewizard]

Can the hot water heater thermostat be adjusted? Our HW heater is way too hot and brand new.

[creativepart]

The water heater thermostat is not adjustable and are pre-set from the factory. Depending on what model you have some are modifiable by replacing the OEM thermostat with a lower temp thermostat and for some models parts are available to change out that will give you an option to vary the temperature range at the water heater.

I think the thinking with RV water heaters is to get users to need to use less hot water when mixing with cold water to get a satisfactory temp.

If you don't know what water heater you have you can open the door and usually find a sticker on the inside with the make and model number. Then you can look online for a lower temp thermostat for that model. Changing the thermostat is quite easy.

Here's an adjustable thermostat for an Atwood water heater. I don't know if this is the model for your water heater or not so be sure to find the correct model:

https://www.amazon.com/Atwood-93105-.../dp/B001BZ36HM

[geewizard]

Thanks for the reply. I'll do more investigation.

[geewizard]

My water heater is an Atwood DSI gas/electric 6-gallon model.

[creativepart]

You need the model number... it should be on the sticker. Atwood makes about a zillion DSI gas/electric 6-gallon models.

Then with that model number you can look for "colder" thermostat or an adjustable one.

[geewizard]

Dometic WH-6GEA
Product # 958706046
Part # 94002BP
Spec # 20210315

[geewizard]

I checked the trailer hot water temp and it's at 145 degrees. My home water temp is about 130 degrees.

[ThomB]

Originally Posted by geewizard

I checked the trailer hot water temp and it's at 145 degrees. My home water temp is about 130 degrees.

WOW, out house water heater is set to 120. You must like your hot showers!

[geewizard]

Originally Posted by ThomB

WOW, out house water heater is set to 120. You must like your hot showers!

Not really.

[gabbyh]

I think that the RV designers want the temp higher than your home unit , the reason is for you to mix more cold water in , to make 6-10 gallons hot , make more usable wash water, simple fix would be to add more cold water to the mix.

[Bigbird65]

This link shows what heater this variable thermostat will fit.
https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Atwoo...xoCjVIQAvD_BwE
This link shows where it is available.
https://www.amazon.com/Atwood-93105-.../dp/B001BZ36HM
This might solve your problem.

[geewizard]

Thanks all. I've ordered the variable thermostat for my WH.

[09 harley]

Turn the cold water faucet counter clockwise to add more cold water. That will lower the temperature. Similar to the way plumbing systems work in our houses.

[Bigbird65]

Originally Posted by geewizard

Thanks all. I've ordered the variable thermostat for my WH.

Give us a report after you have installed it and tried it out.

[geewizard]

Originally Posted by 09 harley

Turn the cold water faucet counter clockwise to add more cold water. That will lower the temperature. Similar to the way plumbing systems work in our houses.

Dang, I should have thought of that!

[Morich]

The big point of why it is set higher is that it does give us more hot water to allow for more or longer showers with the limited tank size. How to deal with it will depend on the users. My wife and I have fully adapted to doing "navy style" showers as it saves both on hot water as well as filling the holding tank.
Just takes a bit of different approach at times.

[moonie]

I had the very same problem of scalding water. It was so hot it would cook you. I went to a RV warehouse and bought a variable thermostat and installed it in 10 minutes. Total cost about $40.00.
Moonie

[NeilV]

Originally Posted by geewizard

Dometic WH-6GEA
Product # 958706046
Part # 94002BP
Spec # 20210315

The output of those should be 130 degrees since I believe they have a thermostatically controlled mixing valve. If your getting higher than 130 degrees at the faucet then you may have a warranty issue regarding the mixing valve.

To provide higher volume those models heat the water hotter than 130 degrees and then automatically reduce the output to 130 degrees via the thermostatically controlled mixing valve.

Before tinkering with a new water heater adding adjustable thermostats, etc verify if it has a mixing valve and if its still under warranty then you should be able to get a replacement mixing valve at no charge.

This is found in your owners and installation manual on page 20 under servicing the mixing valve.

If you lost your copy you can download the latest revision from April 20, 2021 here: https://documents.dometic.com/search/?query=WH-6GEA

[dkoldman]

Originally Posted by 09 harley

Turn the cold water faucet counter clockwise to add more cold water. That will lower the temperature. Similar to the way plumbing systems work in our houses.

Have you tried this in your RV If so; did it work and how did you get the water to stop?

[Bigbird65]

Originally Posted by Morich

The big point of why it is set higher is that it does give us more hot water to allow for more or longer showers with the limited tank size. How to deal with it will depend on the users. My wife and I have fully adapted to doing "navy style" showers as it saves both on hot water as well as filling the holding tank.
Just takes a bit of different approach at times.

I agree completely with what you said. Since we are 2 adults and no children we have no problem adjusting for a comfortable temperature and we don't run out of hot water. Yes, "navy style" when we don't have full hookups and I have to haul waste water.