There's a lot of information about our hot water heaters in the USA, so won't go into too much detail.
1. Models:
The early Westies had a three (3) gallon, manual light (matchstick) Suburban hot water heater.
Later Westies apparently had a four (4) gallon Suburban hot water heater. Not clear whether these all had electronic ignition, with the control near the generator switch control (near closet).
If anyone has the four gallon heater with control, it'd be nice to have photos.
There was a poster who replaced their three gallon heater with a four gallon heater and control.
NOTE: The typical Suburban 6 gallon water heater may not fit. Also, the doors of the various Suburbans may have different dimensions--so double-check dimensions if replacing door.
2. James Cook:
The James Cook does not have a Suburban hot water heater with the big ugly door. Instead, the James Cook has a small propane Truma water boiler mounted behind the bathroom mirror in the fiberglass top area, with the exhaust going through the rear part of fiberglass top.
3. Suburban Maintenance:
The sacrificial anode rod should be replaced annually or as required.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390&highlight=Hot+water
WARNING: Besides turning off propane, make sure to release water pressure BEFORE unscrewing anode rod--if not, the water pressure will launch anode rod like a missle.
WARNING: The water pressure valve should also be checked periodically for safety and replaced as necessary.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=344725&postcount=10
QUIRK: The drain valve (underneath water heater, next to Kerstner black plastic box) may also act as a relief valve and drip.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60319&highlight=shower
Camco Water Heater Tank Rinser is handy to flush sediment out as water hose won't fit into tank, or can make your own.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Camco+11691
4. Hot Water to Outdoor Shower:
Several Westy owners have modified water lines so the outside shower has hot water.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49280&highlight=Carr
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35535&highlight=shower
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41531&highlight=Hot+water
Several posters found a source for the attachment to the outside shower at McMaster Carr, Amazon, etc.. Thread below has document showing how to make complete shower hose.
Airstream used to sell the outside shower hose and showerhead as an accessory, but apparently no longer available.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95&highlight=shower
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48505&highlight=shower
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35535&highlight=shower
1. Models:
The early Westies had a three (3) gallon, manual light (matchstick) Suburban hot water heater.
Later Westies apparently had a four (4) gallon Suburban hot water heater. Not clear whether these all had electronic ignition, with the control near the generator switch control (near closet).
If anyone has the four gallon heater with control, it'd be nice to have photos.
There was a poster who replaced their three gallon heater with a four gallon heater and control.
NOTE: The typical Suburban 6 gallon water heater may not fit. Also, the doors of the various Suburbans may have different dimensions--so double-check dimensions if replacing door.
2. James Cook:
The James Cook does not have a Suburban hot water heater with the big ugly door. Instead, the James Cook has a small propane Truma water boiler mounted behind the bathroom mirror in the fiberglass top area, with the exhaust going through the rear part of fiberglass top.
3. Suburban Maintenance:
The sacrificial anode rod should be replaced annually or as required.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390&highlight=Hot+water
WARNING: Besides turning off propane, make sure to release water pressure BEFORE unscrewing anode rod--if not, the water pressure will launch anode rod like a missle.
WARNING: The water pressure valve should also be checked periodically for safety and replaced as necessary.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=344725&postcount=10
QUIRK: The drain valve (underneath water heater, next to Kerstner black plastic box) may also act as a relief valve and drip.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60319&highlight=shower
Camco Water Heater Tank Rinser is handy to flush sediment out as water hose won't fit into tank, or can make your own.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Camco+11691
4. Hot Water to Outdoor Shower:
Several Westy owners have modified water lines so the outside shower has hot water.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49280&highlight=Carr
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35535&highlight=shower
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41531&highlight=Hot+water
Several posters found a source for the attachment to the outside shower at McMaster Carr, Amazon, etc.. Thread below has document showing how to make complete shower hose.
Airstream used to sell the outside shower hose and showerhead as an accessory, but apparently no longer available.
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=95&highlight=shower
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48505&highlight=shower
https://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35535&highlight=shower
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