Does anyone have any information they could share about tankless hot water heaters on boats. Pros, cons, why I should install one, why I shouldn't install one. Any views would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
- Status
I lived with one for six months
I lived with a propane instant water heater for six months aboard a sailing cat. I was somewhat disappointed with the thing. It was suppose to be a great brand but the pilot kept going out for no reason at all so it was hit or miss when you went to take a shower. The pilot light came on automaticly and this automatic feature seem to have problems. The owner had it worked on and serviced but seems like it was always hit or miss. My boat at the time had a electric which was 100% when ever you wanted hot water. It rusted after 20 years and I replaced it with a stainless steel which lasted the rest of the life of the boat.
I lived with a propane instant water heater for six months aboard a sailing cat. I was somewhat disappointed with the thing. It was suppose to be a great brand but the pilot kept going out for no reason at all so it was hit or miss when you went to take a shower. The pilot light came on automaticly and this automatic feature seem to have problems. The owner had it worked on and serviced but seems like it was always hit or miss. My boat at the time had a electric which was 100% when ever you wanted hot water. It rusted after 20 years and I replaced it with a stainless steel which lasted the rest of the life of the boat.
Used to be common
as I have been told. Then some idiot put one in and did not vent it properly. Somebody died from the exhaust gas and there was a big law suit. They stopped making them for boats after that.
as I have been told. Then some idiot put one in and did not vent it properly. Somebody died from the exhaust gas and there was a big law suit. They stopped making them for boats after that.
Electric Tankless
I should have been more specific. I am looking at installing and electic tankless water heater as opposed to propane. I know I will only have hot water when connected to shore power. I have heard some say that because of power supply water only gets warm, not hot. Some have said it works ok but they have to turn off EVERYTHING on the boat in order to run it. Any input?
I should have been more specific. I am looking at installing and electic tankless water heater as opposed to propane. I know I will only have hot water when connected to shore power. I have heard some say that because of power supply water only gets warm, not hot. Some have said it works ok but they have to turn off EVERYTHING on the boat in order to run it. Any input?
cons of tankless water heaters...
They reduce your water capacity by 5 gallons. They don't won't heat water by only running the engine. They don't work well in homes why would you think they'd work better in boats...a total waste.
They reduce your water capacity by 5 gallons. They don't won't heat water by only running the engine. They don't work well in homes why would you think they'd work better in boats...a total waste.
Really hot water
In the summer the engine make the hot water as hot as you can stand it. Of course it is only converting from 70 deg. to scolding temp. In winter it takes a good bit more of motoring but it works! In the winter, at the dock the elect hot water tanks works fine, it just takes time. Leave it on overnight and you can have a hot morning shower. Would your instant hot system work better? Hmm.
In the summer the engine make the hot water as hot as you can stand it. Of course it is only converting from 70 deg. to scolding temp. In winter it takes a good bit more of motoring but it works! In the winter, at the dock the elect hot water tanks works fine, it just takes time. Leave it on overnight and you can have a hot morning shower. Would your instant hot system work better? Hmm.
What is your purpose?
Chuck: What is your purpose for wanting a tankless water heater? It is hard to beat a Seward water heater at $225 that will heat off the engine or electricity. If you had a tankless run off of propane you could heat water on demand regardless of where you were. If that is not your goal, then I would replace what you have.
Chuck: What is your purpose for wanting a tankless water heater? It is hard to beat a Seward water heater at $225 that will heat off the engine or electricity. If you had a tankless run off of propane you could heat water on demand regardless of where you were. If that is not your goal, then I would replace what you have.
Years ago they used to sell a...
shower head heater that worked quite well at 110V providing hot water just for for a shower. I think they went out of use as a number of people electrocuted themselves by badly rigged wiring installations. Nowdays with GFCI circuit breakers I think they could be safely used again. They would be ideal for those older boats that have no hot water plumbing and cool their engine by raw seawater. A unit could be installed under the sink or vanity and connected to water by an inlet to a water hose and hooked up to a mixer on that sink or vanity. If anyone knows if they still manufacture these shower heads in the US please let me know.
shower head heater that worked quite well at 110V providing hot water just for for a shower. I think they went out of use as a number of people electrocuted themselves by badly rigged wiring installations. Nowdays with GFCI circuit breakers I think they could be safely used again. They would be ideal for those older boats that have no hot water plumbing and cool their engine by raw seawater. A unit could be installed under the sink or vanity and connected to water by an inlet to a water hose and hooked up to a mixer on that sink or vanity. If anyone knows if they still manufacture these shower heads in the US please let me know.
See my recent article
in the photo archives. I installed a pilotless, propane, tankless system in my Cherubini H-33. Works at or away from dock. Hell, don't you have showers at your marina, why install an electric water heater. This system is also certified as ventless. It has an oxygen depletion sensor to shut the system down if ambient O2 levels drop below safe limits.
in the photo archives. I installed a pilotless, propane, tankless system in my Cherubini H-33. Works at or away from dock. Hell, don't you have showers at your marina, why install an electric water heater. This system is also certified as ventless. It has an oxygen depletion sensor to shut the system down if ambient O2 levels drop below safe limits.
Ad
I saw and ad for one in a cruiser's magazine about a month ago. It seems like a great idea but it say how much they cost. My heater is leaking a little now so I will be needing to replace mine soon and have to make a decision on that. Hopefully I can hold out til fall.
I saw and ad for one in a cruiser's magazine about a month ago. It seems like a great idea but it say how much they cost. My heater is leaking a little now so I will be needing to replace mine soon and have to make a decision on that. Hopefully I can hold out til fall.
Buy a Ventless Propane Water Heater
I installed an "Excel" ventless, pilotless propane water heater on my 450 about 2 years back and it's hands down the best modification I've made. I bought it from a distributor on EBay for around $150 and plummed it into the hot water lines just after they exit my electric heater. When the hot water in the tank runs out I turn a lever that directs the outflow from the tank through the heater and back into the hot water circuit. I installed the heating unit on the bulkhead under my companionway. I run it at less than 1/2 its maximum so I don't burn myself in the shower. It operates at a claimed efficiency of around 80%. I put a splitter on my propane line inside the propane box after the stove solenoid so the propane circuit for the heater is as safe as the one for the stove. Engine-based hot water systems are great when the engine has just been running and electric is great when you are connected to shore power. I spend a lot of time under water away from the dock and my friends and I ALL want hot showers when we get back to the boat. No one wants to run the engine or the generator for an hour to refill the tank before showering. Jim
I installed an "Excel" ventless, pilotless propane water heater on my 450 about 2 years back and it's hands down the best modification I've made. I bought it from a distributor on EBay for around $150 and plummed it into the hot water lines just after they exit my electric heater. When the hot water in the tank runs out I turn a lever that directs the outflow from the tank through the heater and back into the hot water circuit. I installed the heating unit on the bulkhead under my companionway. I run it at less than 1/2 its maximum so I don't burn myself in the shower. It operates at a claimed efficiency of around 80%. I put a splitter on my propane line inside the propane box after the stove solenoid so the propane circuit for the heater is as safe as the one for the stove. Engine-based hot water systems are great when the engine has just been running and electric is great when you are connected to shore power. I spend a lot of time under water away from the dock and my friends and I ALL want hot showers when we get back to the boat. No one wants to run the engine or the generator for an hour to refill the tank before showering. Jim
Please tell me more
I have been looking for a hot water solution for our H-33 and it seems like maybe this is a way to go. I checked the archives for Dale's pics but found nothing there. I did a search on excel heaters and found nothing. Any other brands ???
I have been looking for a hot water solution for our H-33 and it seems like maybe this is a way to go. I checked the archives for Dale's pics but found nothing there. I did a search on excel heaters and found nothing. Any other brands ???
Propane Hot Water Heater Source
Search EBay for "excel water heater" I just checked and they are still selling both LPG and natural gas models for $239 through their EBay store. This is not a marine unit but it is pilotless and has an O2 sensor as well as an automatic shutoff after 20 minutes. Mine has worked flawlessly. Jim
Search EBay for "excel water heater" I just checked and they are still selling both LPG and natural gas models for $239 through their EBay store. This is not a marine unit but it is pilotless and has an O2 sensor as well as an automatic shutoff after 20 minutes. Mine has worked flawlessly. Jim
Instant Hot
If you could afford the electric bill there is a company called instant hot which will give you hot water but very $$$$$$ to buy and operate. good luck
If you could afford the electric bill there is a company called instant hot which will give you hot water but very $$$$$$ to buy and operate. good luck
Tony Z
Sorry, been working and not watching this thread. Look under 'Hunter Forums', 'Photo/Project Forum' and you'll find my article 'Hot Showers for Cherubini 33's'. The web page for the Excel heater is: http://www.excelamerica.com/calentadores_eng.htm They sell through E-Bay. I recieved mine 2 days after I ordered it. Hope this helps. Dale
Sorry, been working and not watching this thread. Look under 'Hunter Forums', 'Photo/Project Forum' and you'll find my article 'Hot Showers for Cherubini 33's'. The web page for the Excel heater is: http://www.excelamerica.com/calentadores_eng.htm They sell through E-Bay. I recieved mine 2 days after I ordered it. Hope this helps. Dale
- Status