Water Heater

 

 

As with many things on an older boat, the water heater was not functioning on the boat. First, I found out that the fresh water plumbing was by passing the water heater all together. So I connected it, ran the water pump for awhile, and flipped the circuit breaker for the water heater. A few minutes later, POP! all the circuit breakers popped off. After researching for awhile, I discovered that the inlet for fresh water wasn't letting any water in. Owell, time for a new water heater.

Went online searching for a good, stainless steel, 6 gal replacement. Best one seemed to be Seaward. Luckily, West Marine had them in stock and they were $100 less than what their catalog price was. So, I got the new water heater up to the boat and then the fun began!

First, we had to get the old one out. Getting to all the bolts securing it and all the hose clamps is quite the chore. Then, after all that pretzle work, you have to get the heater inself out past the standing hoses and wiring. Found that if you rotate the port side first, then ease it out, you can get to the wiring to disconnect. Had to cut the black wire as it threaded inside the heater. Readied the new heater and found that the heat exchanger inlets were way smaller than the old ones and on the opposite side of the tank. Ended up going to Ace hardware and getting some galvanized reducers and threaded pipe to clamp to. For the fresh water in/outlets, I was able to use the 1/2" fittings from the old tanks heat exchanger in/outlets. Wiring it up was relatively simple except there is hardly any slack on the wires. Then we were ready to put it in. Found out that a square tank needs some assistance to be level because of the curvature of the hull to starboard. Also found that the water pump couldn't go under the tank if the tank was on the sole. Tried to test the water heater before working on those two problems and the water pump failed. Left the project as is till next weekend.

Our friend, Steve, made some redwood supports for the new tank and we mounted it on top of them with the new water pump underneath. Turned the pump on to fill the tank and no water was going through the hoses. Primed the pump and still no water. Traced all the hoses and discovered that somehow we had reversed the plumbing. Re-attached the plumbing (the right way this time) and viola! Water was filling the tank. Then a hissing noise started and water started leaking from the water out fitting. Tightened the hose clamp and added another just in case and filled the tank with no further incident. Next came the heat test. Flipped the circuit breaker and waited a half hour, cold water (brrrr!). Traced the wiring, NON STANDARD COLOR CODING!!!! Green was not a ground, but hot! re did the wiring and eureka! Hot water finally! Next test, engine heating. Ran the engine, more heat and no leaks. Dressed up the cables and wiring and the final product is below. Now for a hot shower (oops! no knobs on the shower. And the list goes on..........