hot water heater

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jack

The electric or engine 6 gallon hot water tank started leaking causing a pressure drop on the fresh water system. As a quick fix I by-passed the water tank by simply connecting the fresh water in hose with the fresh water out hose. Is this OK to do? Also, what is a decent but economical replacememt tank and where is a thirfty place to buy it. The oringal tank was made by American Appliance mfg, model #amgsr6. Ideally the replacement tank hoses would match up with the existing hoses so little modification would be needed. I do see the $500 dollar tanks advertised at West Marine, is this the best option? thanks, jack
 
D

Don

bypass

That's what we northerners have to do to winterize the tank, i.e., bypass it as you described. That will be fine in the short term. For a replacement to duplicate your old one, someone else may hopefully know a reasonably priced source, however, if not, you can find the typical aluminum tank at most any marine stores. Don
 
Dec 14, 2003
1,450
Hunter 34 Lake of Two Mountains, QC, Can
Seaward and Force 10 both have 6 Gal tanks

which are reasonably priced. Both are aluminum tanks with a stainless casing. Don't know about the match up of hoses. As Don said, we Northerners bypass the water heater to winterize. Rather than connect and disconnect every year, I have made a 3-valve manifold. Simple and quick and no danger of messing up the threads anymore. Good luck
 
J

Jack

thanks for your help

The tank I have now is round so the round Raritan replaement tank might be easiest to install.You know what they say about fitting a square peg into a round hole. I didn't know about Force 10 and Seaward so thats the info. I haven't decided if I want to remove the old tank and by-pass the heat exchanger and save myself $500 bucks. The old tank is rusting and it may cause a problem jamming the bilge pump someday. Anyone ever take out the old tank and just by-pass the whole hot water idea? Anything special I should know about doing that? We spend more time down here trying to keep water cool than hot and I honestly don't need hot water for the type of sailing I do. Thoughts? thanks, jack
 
Jun 4, 2004
629
Sailboat - 48N x 89W
No Problem

You can shunt (bypass) & remove the old HWT without worry - or just plug the HWT inlet/outlet hubs & remoce hoses.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.