how do i replace a hot water tank throu a hole that is'nt big enough to remove the old let olone replace the new one?
hot water tank replacement
- Thread starter steely55
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Oh Boy... Well, on my 79 H30 I had the following options (This is assuming that your old heater is in the starboard cockpit locker and that you have a low profile engine in engine bay):
1. Cut side of cockpit locker and cockpit sole down enough for new heater to slide in from the outside, to fit onto the shelf. Re-glass the FG panel that you cut out, re-gelcoat to match old finish! I didn't like the radical surgery required, so...
2. Take portside interior engine/quarter berth divider panel out (just a few screws). Take starboard cockpit locker plywood panel out (no screws on mine, just fits in a slot). Remove interior teak trim piece that forms the slot for plywood panel (several screws, accessed from inside by lying across engine bay from starboard side). Take a break!
Measure the vertical clearance between shelf on starboard side and cockpit sole in a span of 30 inches, from the inside (laying across engine bay from starboard side). Write down these dimensions. Go online or to your chandlery and find the unit that is the the closest fit from starboard side, over engine bay (you will need to remove the batteries) and into the opening you measured, to get it on the shelf. You'll fing the opening is too small. You will have to cut the starboard cockpit locker shelf down the width (plus a smidge) of the unit, along the edge of the shelf, allowing the unit to slide onto the shelf from the engine bay. Once cut, you can take out the old unit (in pieces perhaps), install new unit, re-plumb with new hoses, clamps and fittings, (consider a unit with heat exchanger), re-wire with ABYC approved boat wire to AC panel, fill, test, and if all is ok, have a pro re-fiberglass the cut out section of locker shelf so that you can repeat the process without further cutting.
If your set up is different than mine, "Never Mind"!
You can send me a PM if you would like to discuss this in detail.
Have fun.
G.
1. Cut side of cockpit locker and cockpit sole down enough for new heater to slide in from the outside, to fit onto the shelf. Re-glass the FG panel that you cut out, re-gelcoat to match old finish! I didn't like the radical surgery required, so...
2. Take portside interior engine/quarter berth divider panel out (just a few screws). Take starboard cockpit locker plywood panel out (no screws on mine, just fits in a slot). Remove interior teak trim piece that forms the slot for plywood panel (several screws, accessed from inside by lying across engine bay from starboard side). Take a break!
Measure the vertical clearance between shelf on starboard side and cockpit sole in a span of 30 inches, from the inside (laying across engine bay from starboard side). Write down these dimensions. Go online or to your chandlery and find the unit that is the the closest fit from starboard side, over engine bay (you will need to remove the batteries) and into the opening you measured, to get it on the shelf. You'll fing the opening is too small. You will have to cut the starboard cockpit locker shelf down the width (plus a smidge) of the unit, along the edge of the shelf, allowing the unit to slide onto the shelf from the engine bay. Once cut, you can take out the old unit (in pieces perhaps), install new unit, re-plumb with new hoses, clamps and fittings, (consider a unit with heat exchanger), re-wire with ABYC approved boat wire to AC panel, fill, test, and if all is ok, have a pro re-fiberglass the cut out section of locker shelf so that you can repeat the process without further cutting.
If your set up is different than mine, "Never Mind"!
You can send me a PM if you would like to discuss this in detail.
Have fun.
G.
Just a thought: check out the 'Slim Line' Isotherm water heaters. They are a different shape and may fit without all the cutting, altho you'll have to cut yours to get it out. Actually, you may not need to cut it. I disassembled one and when you remove the cover, which is just sheet metal, the actual water heater vessel is small, and probably easily removed. Please understand that I don't know the layout of your boat, so my idea may be all wet. It's just a thought.
http://shop.hunterowners.com/google/custom.htm?vp=158618
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...d=267&cat_id=43&aid=7390&page=article&mn=40.5
http://shop.hunterowners.com/google/custom.htm?vp=158618
http://hunter.sailboatowners.com/in...d=267&cat_id=43&aid=7390&page=article&mn=40.5
again, thanks everyone for all the suggestions. i think i'll go KISS and go sawzall and pro glassman!
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