Disconnecting hot water heater from engine

[John C. Bollinger]

Hello Everyone,I have a 1983 C30, M25 Engine. A few weeks ago during a repair I had to have the hot water heater taken out of the engine coolant loop. Some of my friends tell me to leave it out.My question is this: How many of you have taken the hotwater heater out of the engine loop and left it out,relying on the 110 Volts for hot water. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.I have had this boat for about 7 months and never turned the hot water on, I guess it would be nice during cruising someday.ThanksJack

 

[Bob Camarena]

No Apparent Downside

I don't see any apparent downside as long as you never want hot water away from the dock. On the other hand, what's the point of disconnecting it? Personally, I like having the hot water to wash up the lunch dishes after returning from a day trip, not to mention weekend cruises.

 

[Jeff Walker]

I did it

I also have an '83 C30 and the problem I had was with the water heater being installed higher than the engine, the system was very hard to bleed all of the air out. This was causing blockages in the coolant loop and caused me nothing but trouble. I now use just electric heating or better yet, I heat water using the stove or leave jugs of water in the sun for a nice warm shower when I'm at anchor. I would suggest re-plumbing the heat exchanger to bypass the shut-off valve. You will get better coolant flow and less chance to overheat.Hope this helps,Jeff

 

[John C. Bollinger]

Thanks Guys, Jeff what engine temp.

Thanks guys,That was the same problem I was having.Jeff what does your engine temp. stay at under normal operating load?Is your hot water heater under the port lazerette ( I have no idea how to spell that).Jack

 

[Jeff Walker]

About 140 to 160F now

Hi John,Before I bypassed the water heater, the system was running about 175F at the dock. That is not bad in itself but my system would create an air bubble sometimes after heeling in high winds and when I started the engine, it would go as high as 200F and the alarm would come on. It would take me a long time to clear the bubbles and I had to disconnect some of the hoses and manually fill them to get flow. My heater is in the aft port lazerette as well. I got frustrated until I hired a good mechanic and he showed me the problem and re-plumbed my system. I have not gone over 160F in the 10 years since it was done.Good luck and there is a great schematic of the cooling system in the Tech pages off of the Catalina 30 site. Link to it from catalina.com.Jeff

 

[Jeff Walker]

Sorry Jack

I called you John :>)

 

[Jeff Walker]

Jack, try this site

http://www.tcsn.net/bosun/c30/fwcsys.htmcooling system and other good references.Jeff

 

[John C. Bollinger]

Thanks for the Info....

Thanks Jeff,No need to apoligize for the John Jack thing, nicknames you know.....I will look into hooking up the hotwater as per the drawings, if it doesn't work I will just disconnect it again.Thanks againJohn(Jack)