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Old 03-16-2017, 07:50 AM   #1
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Location: Birmingham, Alabama
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Wink Atwood 6 Gallon Water Heater Problem

Anyone out there had a problem such as this? My hot water heater
is hot to the touch, but no hot water comes out of either of the taps,
whether it is running on electric or propane.

It is a 6 Gallon Atwood Model 6GC-8AE, with a date of 3-24-2008.
It has been modified to run on electric (after market) from what
the manual states regarding this model. I have ordered new valves
to see if that is the problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
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Old 03-16-2017, 08:03 AM   #2
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First thing to check is your by-pass valve. Sounds like it's set on by-pass so no water flowing through it, but it's full of water.
Have a good day, and hope that's it.
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Old 03-16-2017, 02:39 PM   #3
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In my research I found that the Chalet is the Winnebago Aspect made for the rental market. As such, what it has on it may be different than an Aspect.

That said, if there's a factory-installed hot water heater bypass, the valve is behind the water heater. I'm guessing the knob on the valve should be horizontal for normal, up for bypass.

The plumbing diagrams also show a check valve in the outlet of the hot water heater. It could be stuck shut. If that was the case, and the heater was to full temperature, I'd expect the pressure and temperature relief valve might be weeping hot water.

The best thing is to let the hot water heater cool down and then look at its piping to see what is really there.
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Old 03-16-2017, 04:49 PM   #4
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If it has a shower make sure the hot and cold knobs are off. Sometimes the water gets shut off at the shower head and the knobs get left open and this lets cold get into the hot side, the hot faucets get mostly cold water if this happens.

So far as the bypass there are two kinds:

One kind has 3 valves behind the hot water heater, one bypass between hot and cold, and two in the lines going into the hot water heater. To use the two need to be open and the bypass needs to be closed.

Winnebago has another kind that has no valve on the hot side, it just uses a check valve on the hot outlet of the HWH that prevents reverse direction flow into the hot water heater during winterization. It has a valve on the cold side that is a combination close/bypass valve with 3 tubing lines connected to it. Pointing up its in bypass .
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Old 03-18-2017, 03:06 PM   #5
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Also check to make sure the outside shower is turned off (if it has one).
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Old 03-18-2017, 03:53 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ladypilot10 View Post
Anyone out there had a problem such as this? My hot water heater
is hot to the touch, but no hot water comes out of either of the taps,
whether it is running on electric or propane.

It is a 6 Gallon Atwood Model 6GC-8AE, with a date of 3-24-2008.
It has been modified to run on electric (after market) from what
the manual states regarding this model. I have ordered new valves
to see if that is the problem.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
You have you model numbers mixed up
It is a GC6A-8E
That is Gas Combo (OEM electric & propane) 6 gallon with a screw in electric element and is 8th version
Other thing is it being 8th version it was mfg. prior to 2004 when Atwood changed designs ----since then ALL 6 gallon are 10E
SO somebody swapped water heaters
8E versions would have the electric element under the protective cover on backside with it's own set of t-stat/ECO and is powered DIRECTLY from a 120V AC circuit breaker

If model number is G6A-8E
Then that model is a gas only (no electric)
Can be 2008 model (only OEM electric/gas versions changed in 2004)
And if it has an aftermarket electric element it would be installed in the drain hole in outside compartment.
Only thing on backside of WH tank would be valving and hot/cold/bypass lines


Check that model number.........verify which prior to ordering parts as it really matters




As for no hot water out of faucets
IF you just get cold water out of faucet hotside.....bypass valve on backside of WH is still in 'bypass' position. Turn valve handle 1/4 turn so cold water goes into WH Tank

If you get NO flow at all out of faucet hotside........check valve in HOT outlet fitting (top) on WH Tank is stuck/jammed/clogged
Have to replace. They are cheap plastic junk----plastic plunger/spring/o-ring assembly that fail often

If you get 'Luke Warm' water out of faucet hotside.....shower valves not closed or bypass leaks thru
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Old 03-19-2017, 01:39 PM   #7
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We do not have an outside shower. Thanks.

Terry
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Old 03-19-2017, 01:41 PM   #8
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We replaced the valve and turned on the check value to hot. We now have warm water
on the electric side. The switch for electric is situate on the side of our queen bed.

I am not sure exactly yet if we are really going to get hot water instead of luke warm.
The plate on the unit states 3-24-2008.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:21 PM   #9
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Thanks. We changed out a valve and found the check valve for hot water. Turned
it to hot, and it works fine now. Nice and hot so we can take a shower in it.

I ordered the new valve through Lichtsen. Since I have owned two Winnebagos,
I use them as they are the largest parts dealer for Winnebago. David is great,
and knows me personally as I am quite meticulous in maintaining my motor home.
I like the fact that the part are at my house in two days.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:22 PM   #10
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No outside shower Thanks.
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Old 03-19-2017, 02:25 PM   #11
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Randy, I am still trying to figure out what we have. We do have a white lever at the
bottom of a brass fitting that when turned all the way to the left allows hot water
to go through. To the right, it is only cold. I am assuming if it is straight up, it will
be a combination of hot and cold water going through to produce warm water.

I haven't tested it yet. We are not getting very hot water through the taps having
it all the way to the left. I have not seen any other valves on the hot and
cold lines going to the tank.

Thanks for your help.
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Old 03-19-2017, 11:42 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ladypilot10 View Post
Randy, I am still trying to figure out what we have. We do have a white lever at the
bottom of a brass fitting that when turned all the way tyo the left allows hot water
to go through. To the right, it is only cold. I am assuming if it is straight up, it will
be a combination of hot and cold water going through to produce warm water.

I haven't tested it yet. We are not getting very hot water through the taps having
it all the way to the left. I have not seen any other valves on the hot and
cold lines going to the tank.

Thanks for your help.
The valve you are referencing is likely the winterizing valve.
Your problem is likely the upper output check valve on the back of the water heater. Malletizing it may help temporarily.
Check this forum for info on replacing or taking the core out of these check valves. A 1 1/8" deep socket and 1 1/8" box and open end wrenches are required to work on these check valves. There is very little space to work.
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:25 AM   #13
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Yes that was it Thanks so much!
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Old 03-20-2017, 07:25 AM   #14
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We do not have an outside shower. Thanks.
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