Oct 24th 2026
Dometic WH-6GEA and Atwood 6 Gallon Water Heater Guide (G6A-8E, GC6AA-10E)
MODEL GUIDE · 6 GALLON
Dometic WH-6GEA and Atwood 6 Gallon Water Heater Guide (G6A-8E, GC6AA-10E)
The old Atwood 6-gallon and the newer Dometic WH-6GEA look alike but have different openings. Here’s how to tell them apart and which parts fit.
The short version
- Older Atwood 6-gallon (G6A-8E, GC6AA-10E, GCH6A-10E): opening about 12-5/8 in. high × 16-1/4 in. wide (wide and short).
- Newer Dometic WH-6GA / WH-6GEA: about 12.9 in. square, much like Suburban’s 6-gallon.
- WH-6GEA: 10,000 BTU burner and 1400 W element (dometic.com). WH-9GEA is a 6-gallon tank with a mixing valve for 9 gallons “effective.”
- Aluminum tank: no anode rod.
Which 6-gallon do you have?
| Model | Opening (H × W × D) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Older Atwood G6A / GC6AA / GCH6A | 12-5/8 × 16-1/4 × 17-5/8 in. | Atwood installation manual |
| XT 6 gal (G9EXT / GE9EXT) | 12-5/8 × 16-1/4 × 18-1/2 in. | Dometic XT manual |
| Dometic WH-6GA / WH-6GEA | 12.9 × 12.9 × 19.5 in. | Dometic 2022 manual (dometic.com lists 12-3/4 or 12.88 in. square) |
| Dometic WH-9GEA | 12.9 × 12.9 × 24 in. | 6-gal tank, 9 gal effective |
Measure your opening: sources differ by fractions of an inch.
Model codes
Atwood codes read the same as the 10-gallon: G gas, C gas + 110V electric, H heat exchanger, 6 gallons, A/AA element type/version, the number after the dash is the revision, and a final E means electronic ignition. Dometic: WH-6GEA = water heater, 6 gallon, Gas, Electric, revision A (product number 9600024379).
Moving from an old Atwood to a WH-6GEA
Because the openings differ, Dometic sells a 6-gallon door kit for older Atwood/Dometic heaters with a 12-1/2 × 16-1/2 in. cutout; it includes adapter plates so you can install a WH-6 or WH-9. Suburban also sells the SAW6 Direct-Fit, made to drop into pre-2020 aluminum-tank 6-gallon openings without cutting.
Doors and conversion
Common 6-gallon parts
| Part | Number |
|---|---|
| Thermostat/ECO (DSI) | 91447 |
| Thermal cut-off | 93866 |
| 110V thermostat/ECO | 91873 |
| Element (1400 W) | 92097 |
| Electrode / spark probe | 93868 |
| Main burner, 6 gal (DSI) | 91638 |
| Drain plug | 91857 |
| Tank service kit (WH-6GEA / WH-9GEA XT) | 92099 |
| Access door, 6 gal (older) | 91386 |
Parts for this repair
Dometic 91447 Front Mount ECO/Thermostat Kit (DSI)View part →
Dometic/Atwood 93866 Thermal Cut-Off KitView part →
Dometic/Atwood 91873 Thermostat/ECO, 110V ACView part →
Dometic/Atwood 92097 AC Heating Element (1400 W)View part →
Dometic/Atwood 93868 Electrode (Spark Probe)View part →
Dometic/Atwood 91638 Main Burner, 6 Gallon (DSI)View part →
Dometic/Atwood 91857 Drain Plug, 1/2 in. NPT (2 pack)View part →
Dometic 92099 Tank Service Kit (WH-6GEA / WH-9GEA XT)View part →
Dometic 94946 Access Door Conversion Kit, 6 GallonView part →
Dometic/Atwood 91386 Access Door, 6 Gallon (white)View part →Shop by category: Dometic part finder, Atwood parts by model, 6 gallon water heaters.
FAQ
What size is the Dometic WH-6GEA opening?
About 12.9 in. square and 19.5 in. deep per Dometic’s 2022 manual.
Will a WH-6GEA fit my old Atwood opening?
Not directly. The old Atwood opening is about 12-5/8 × 16-1/4 in. Dometic’s 6-gallon door conversion kit covers the gap.
Does the Dometic WH-6GEA have an anode rod?
No. The aluminum tank doesn’t use one.
What is the WH-9GEA?
A 6-gallon tank with a mixing valve that delivers about 9 gallons of usable hot water at 130°F.
Not sure which part fits? Contact us with your model and serial number from the data plate and we’ll confirm it before you order.
From the Atwood water heater service manual, Atwood/Dometic installation and operating manuals (MPD 93755/93756, Dometic 94035 and 3317866) and dometic.com.