With the purchase of a 1988 Cat. 30 recently, I was running the hot water from the head and galley taps for the first time after adding water to the tanks and noted a foul odor. It was not a hydrogen sulfate (rotten egg) smell but a pungent strong odor not pleasing to the senses that I was not expecting. The cold water seemed to be fine. That brings up the question of the health of the hot water heater. If they have internal electrodes for heating, can I have a calcium carbonate build up that may be fouling the water under heat? Atlanta does have hard water. Should I try to drain the tank or the entire system and try a new? Bacteria in the water? If the heater is heating the water, its doing its job, but if its stinking it up, something is definitely going on. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Bob
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First Thing
Bob One of the tricks we learned was to get used to using the hot water faucet even when there is no hot water. Because of our experiences at home, we tend to use the cold water faucet for cold and hot for hot. On the boat we tend to do the same. What this does is leave the water in the heater all the time, so when you eventually use it it's "old" water. You could try flushing it out, but an easier way to do it would be to run the hot water faucet for awhile, and put "new" water in the tank. Then get in the habit of using the hot water faucets when there's no hot water in the tank to keep it circulating and fresh. Stu
Bob One of the tricks we learned was to get used to using the hot water faucet even when there is no hot water. Because of our experiences at home, we tend to use the cold water faucet for cold and hot for hot. On the boat we tend to do the same. What this does is leave the water in the heater all the time, so when you eventually use it it's "old" water. You could try flushing it out, but an easier way to do it would be to run the hot water faucet for awhile, and put "new" water in the tank. Then get in the habit of using the hot water faucets when there's no hot water in the tank to keep it circulating and fresh. Stu
Will Do Stu..........
Stu. Makes good sense to me. Its a small tank and I can ease the release with the cold to drain the system. But, it is malodorous! I have no idea how long the water has been in the tank while in the hands of the prior owner before our purchase in July. Appreciate the response. Bob Cat 30 Atlanta
Stu. Makes good sense to me. Its a small tank and I can ease the release with the cold to drain the system. But, it is malodorous! I have no idea how long the water has been in the tank while in the hands of the prior owner before our purchase in July. Appreciate the response. Bob Cat 30 Atlanta
Stinky water remedy
I had the same problem with my recently acquired 1989 C27. Friends on the C27 listserv recommended flushing the system by adding about half cup of chlorine bleach to a full water tank, letting the water run until you smell the chlorine, and then letting it sit for about 4 hours. This kills off bacteria and other stinky organisms. After letting sit, run the tank dry, refill with fresh water, and run it dry again. Then refill and use. (Don't leave the concentrated chlorine mixture in the stsyem; it can adversely affect the pump).I followed this recipe and it solved my problem. After two fresh water rinses, the water still had a slight chlorine odor, but that doesn't bother me (I'm not planning to drink the water). Some have suggested flushing a third time with fresh water, or adding a small amount of vinegar to get rid of the chlorine smell, but I haven't bothered with that. This chlorine flush may be needed avery couple of months in hot weather.
I had the same problem with my recently acquired 1989 C27. Friends on the C27 listserv recommended flushing the system by adding about half cup of chlorine bleach to a full water tank, letting the water run until you smell the chlorine, and then letting it sit for about 4 hours. This kills off bacteria and other stinky organisms. After letting sit, run the tank dry, refill with fresh water, and run it dry again. Then refill and use. (Don't leave the concentrated chlorine mixture in the stsyem; it can adversely affect the pump).I followed this recipe and it solved my problem. After two fresh water rinses, the water still had a slight chlorine odor, but that doesn't bother me (I'm not planning to drink the water). Some have suggested flushing a third time with fresh water, or adding a small amount of vinegar to get rid of the chlorine smell, but I haven't bothered with that. This chlorine flush may be needed avery couple of months in hot weather.
Cleaning water heater.
Another way to kill the Bacteria and such in the water heater, is to let the water get good and hot for a couple of days. 140 or so degrees, kills a lot of stuff. My tank stunk after sitting for a year or so, but after leaving it on (dockside 110V) and then running water through it, it smells not.
Another way to kill the Bacteria and such in the water heater, is to let the water get good and hot for a couple of days. 140 or so degrees, kills a lot of stuff. My tank stunk after sitting for a year or so, but after leaving it on (dockside 110V) and then running water through it, it smells not.
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