Troubleshooting Atwood GC6AA-10E (Replacement, Manual, Parts)
If you are fortunate enough to have an Atwood water heater, do not be surprised if you cannot find that brand anymore. The brand name is being phased out and you will have to look to Dometic to get a compatible replacement or parts. Dometic owns Atwood.
Your troubleshooting options are limited to what is wrong with the water heater. When you find out what is wrong, you may not be able to find the right parts under the Atwood name. The manual may still be around but the brand name is going to change soon.
To learn more about this topic just continue to read our article. It delves into the problems this water heater model has and provides as many solutions or directions as possible. Take a few minutes to see what you need to do to rectify your water heater situation.
Atwood GC6AA-10E Troubleshooting
RV Water Heater Atwood GC6AA 10E Replacement
Right now there may be 2 replacements you can get. There is the standard Atwood GC6AA 10E model that is in some stores. The second option will be the Dometic RV Water Heater # DMC74FR.
It seems that Dometic is phasing out the Atwood brand name and replacing those parts with parts and appliances under their brand name. This is probably an expected move ever since Dometic bought Atwood some years ago.
The model mentioned above is a 6-gallon water tank which is exactly the same as the Atwood model. Unfortunately, it is not as big as the Atwood model it is replacing but it can recover at the rate of 12 gallons per hour.
Its lighting system is an automatic direct-spark gas pilot and an internal electric heating element that should heat the water very quickly even when in use. However, you may have to change the door to the water heater.
The Water Heater Door Conversion Kit for 6 Gallon Electric and Gas Water Heater # DMC84FR for the white door or # DMC24FR for the black door is the one to use per e-trailer.
Atwood GC6AA-10E Specifications
This is a 6-gallon water heater that weighs roughly 19 pounds. They come with an aluminum-clad tank which eliminates the aluminum anode that usually is found in water heaters.
When placed in your RV or travel trailer, 95% of the parts can be accessed and repaired through the outside door. The rest of the important specs are as follows-- Direct Spark Ignition Input 8,800 BTU or 1400-watt Recovery Rate of 11.6 Gal/Hr on LP / 6.2 Gal/Hr on Electric / 17.8 Gal/Hr. on Combo.
Then because the majority of parts can be fixed from the outside, you do not have to worry about having a repairman enter your RV or travel trailer. He should be able to do all his work outside.
The cost of this water heater model is up to the seller and you may not find it on Amazon anymore. If this model is not available, try using the Dometic alternative listed in a previous section. That seems to be the replacement for this water heater now.
GC6AA-10E Dimensions
The size of this 6-gallon water heater is roughly 16 W x 15-1/2 in. H x 20-3/4 in. D but we suggest that you measure yours first to make sure the size is correct. Always double-check measurements.
However, its replacement the Dometic RV Water Heater # DMC74FR is said to be a bit smaller than this model but you should get the same, if not better, service when you install it.
The specs for the Dometic model are-- Gas and Electric - Automatic Pilot - 120 Volt - 10,000 Btu - 6 Gal Tank and its dimensions are-- 12-3/4 L x 12-3/4 W x 19-7/8 D Inches.
This should easily fit inside the door built for the Atwood model and you may find that you have to convert the door to a Dometic option through one of the conversion kits that are available for this change.
Talk to your retailer about these kits when you need to replace your Atwood model.
Atwood GC6AA-10E Not Working on Gas Or Electric
The first place to look would the bypass valves. If they are not in the right position, then water cannot get into the tank. Make sure those valves are in the correct position to have the water flowing properly.
Next up would be to check your wiring. The multimeter should read +12 on the orange or white wire when you take a reading. Then if your green ground wire does not read +12 then you have an open ground wire. The green wire is at pin 6 next to pin 4.
You are not done yet as you should check the voltage coming to the water heater as well as the continuity at the element. Any one of those parts can fail as can the control board. it will take some time to find the source of the problem as it could also be the automatic starting system that has gone bad.
You just have to do one step at a time until you get to the problem. Once you find it, repair or replace that part. Check both Atwood and Dometic replacement parts.
Atwood GC6AA-10E Won't Stay Lit
The first place to look would be the thermostat. If this part has gone bad, then your water heater won’t stay lit. Your chances of repair are slim so a replacement thermostat will be the solution in this situation.
Actually, that would be the second place to check. The first place to look would be your propane tank. If it has run out of propane, then the pilot light will go out and not light again.
Or if you are using the electric side, then check breakers, fuses, your inverter, or battery. Any one of those parts can fail, run out of power, trip, and so on. If everything at these points is okay, you will need to check the thermocouple.
That part will fail to keep the water heater from working if it has been moved out of position or is dirty or broken. One solution would be to put the part back into the correct spot and your trouble should be over. If not, clean it and see what happens.
If the thermocouple is broken, then replacement is your only option. If you still can’t find the problem call in a repairman to examine the water heater.
Finding Atwood GC6AA-10E Parts
One of the benefits of the internet is its ease of use. You will find more retail and wholesale outlets selling parts for just about anything with a quick search. The internet helps save time, trouble, and fuel when you need an Atwood water heater part.
Our search turned up more outlets than we could possibly mention here. From Amazon to PDXRVwholesale parts to High Sky RV parts, there is a myriad of parts outlets that can get you replacements for this water heater.
You can also, find parts and wiring diagrams without leaving your home. Then print them off so you have easy access to those parts and know their location. We do not link to any right now as they may not be in your area.
It is best to do your own search so you can find a parts outlet selling Atwood parts close to your location. Then you can contact them directly to see if they have what you need in stock. Your search will cut down on the time you spend as well as the fuel you will use when searching for replacement parts.
Just keep in mind that you may be directed to Dometic replacement parts as that company is phasing Atwood out of existence.
Atwood GC6AA-10E Anode Rod
This water heater model does not have an anode rod installed in it. The reason for this absence is that the tank is made of aluminum. This construction design eliminates the need for an anode and the water heater may work better because of it. One less part to go wrong.
Anode rods for Atwood water heaters are made and on sale but they do not go with this model of the water heater. If by chance your GC6AA-10E does have an anode rod, there is a good reason for it.
When Atwood made the water heater, they used a plastic or nylon plug. Many owners were not happy with that plug so they replaced it with a brass or other metal one or a brass petcock drain valve.
When they did this, they created the need for an anode rod and installed one themselves. It is not a factory installation. Replace that anode rod with a new one if it is needing replacement.
GC6AA-10E Heating Element Location
It is a small water heater so locating this part will be easy. Also, it is probably the one part where the repairman will have to enter your RV to get to it. If not, he may have to pull the whole unit out to access the part.
The water heating element is inside the water tank at the back of the water heater. Because of its location, Atwood or Dometic advises against doing it yourself. You should call a repairman and have him do it for you.
This may be good advice to follow as there are wires and other connections you have to deal with to get the tank in position to remove that element. Remembering where they all go can be a problem and the possibility of connecting something to the wrong spot is possible.
Atwood GC6AA-10E Temperature Adjustment
It seems that the temperature setting control is a slide bar that moves two ways. You slide it down to make the water a little bit cooler and you slide it up to make the water hotter. That is all there is to it when it comes to temperature control.
You should be able to get the water to the setting you prefer in a second or two. It is that easy to use. To start the water heater, you just need to use the propane side first to get the pilot light to function.
Then when you want to use the electric side, leave the pilot light on and just flip the electric switch to on. When you are done using the water heater, you will have to turn both the pilot light and the electric switch to off.
The system is designed to be simple to use so that you have a mistake-free operation.
Download Atwood GC6AA-10E Manual
Our simple search turned up many results so you should have the same amount of luck if the following links do not work for you. But before we give those, you can always contact Dometic to see if they have this manual ready for download.
First, up will be our go-to manual website. They seem to have almost every manual possible for your convenience. Click here to get to this version. This second link has more than just the manual for you to download. Check them out to see if those alternatives will be of use to you.
Number three has their version as a PDF file and it should be easy to download. We only caution you to be prepared to pay a little price for this opportunity. These companies do not always do this service for free.
Some Final Words
Atwood is a dying brand. Once it was bought out by Dometic, the writing was on the wall. But fortunately, you can still buy the Atwood version as well as Atwood replacement parts.
Or you can just replace your Atwood with a similar water heater made by Dometic. The choice is up to you and your search time will vary depending on the parts you want, etc. If you buy the Dometic version, be prepared to replace the access door.
