Suburban Manufacturing 5242A Gas Water Heater Direct Spark Ignition 10 Gal Boating Maintenance

10-gallon gas water heater

The Suburban Manufacturing 5242A is a direct-spark ignition water heater built for marine installations. It provides a 10-gallon hot-water supply for onboard galleys and showers. The unit is designed for boats that run on LP gas and need reliable ignition without a standing pilot. Boaters seeking an electric-only or tankless solution will need a different appliance.

Direct spark ignition thermals

Direct spark ignition lights the burner only when hot water is demanded, eliminating a continuous pilot flame. This reduces gas consumption during idle periods and keeps the burner compartment cooler when the system is off. Heat output scales with the 10-gallon recovery rate rather than a fixed pilot load. Noise is limited to the igniter click and burner roar during active heating cycles.

Sustained load behaviour

During extended draws the heater maintains flame modulation to match the 10-gallon tank recovery. The direct-spark system re-ignites automatically if the flame is lost to wind or vessel motion. Continuous high-volume use will deplete the stored volume faster than the burner can recover. Installations requiring unlimited continuous flow should consider a larger-capacity or tankless alternative.