Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Harold,

About two months ago I replaced the water heater in my 83 PT35. I
selected a 12 gallon "SuperStor" marine water heater from _www.defender.com_
(http://www.defender.com) . It is a 110 volt 1500 watt with engine heat
exchang
er. I have not any much experience with this unit but so far no problems. I
only mention this model because I have not seen anyone else recommend this
unit. The price was $556 plus $20 shipping. I don't know anything about the
FC models but the size of this unit actually fit better in my PT than the
factory original. Take a look at it and determine if this one will work for
you.
Either way it's a lot of work to shoe horn the water heater in their tight
space.

Regards,

Jim Elliott
83 PT 35



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I don't find anything in the files about replacing a water heater in
an FC. Maybe someone can offer some advice on this. It doesn't look
like a quick job.
The one that I have to replace is an American Appliance Mfg. Corp.
Model marine10. It has chassis heat and 110ac, no propane.

Harold Prescott
'85 FC35
Northern California

Hi Harold,
Don't know what your coach bed configuration is but ours has a side bath with
twin beds
in the back. I replaced ours old unit with an Atwood heater and learned the
following:

1. Atwood heater is slightly taller than original heater and I had to raise the
drivers side
bed about 1 inch. Used sections of square aluminum tube stock around the
perimeter of
the bed to make the change.

2. Atwood heater has a high temperature switch that trips at 185 ºF so
circulating jacket
water through it in the summertime can cause it to shut down when the coach
engine is
working hard. Resetting the switch is a pain so I shut off the water
circulation from the
engine in the summer and let the generator do the work.

3. Space is very cramped under the bunk with lots of sheet metal screws, etc to
cut your
hands while working on the piping.

4. I used PEX piping and fittings to pipe up the heater.

5. Total job took 8-12 hours for a first timer.

Not my favorite job but great feeling of accomplishment when it's done!

Regards, Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SBWL2


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Harold Prescott"
wrote:
>
> I don't find anything in the files about replacing a water heater in
> an FC. Maybe someone can offer some advice on this. It doesn't look
> like a quick job.
> The one that I have to replace is an American Appliance Mfg. Corp.
> Model marine10. It has chassis heat and 110ac, no propane.
>
> Harold Prescott
> '85 FC35
> Northern California
>

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Harold Prescott"
wrote:
>
> I don't find anything in the files about replacing a water heater in
> an FC. Maybe someone can offer some advice on this. It doesn't look
> like a quick job.
> The one that I have to replace is an American Appliance Mfg. Corp.
> Model marine10. It has chassis heat and 110ac, no propane.
>
> Harold Prescott
> '85 FC35
> Northern California
>



I didn't mention this coach has the side bath with twin beds.
Looking around the internet I found a Seaward 11gal #F1100 water
heater with the heat exchanger.
The size is 1" wider-taller, and 2.5" longer. It has side or front and
back mounting brackets. Looks like it will fit with little
modification required..
Does any one know about the Seaward or Atwood brands.
I've calledc the OEM supplier, [American Appliance Mfg. Corp.,Santa
Monica,Ca.] recieved no answer.

Harold