Water Heater Question

[Fred G]

I replaced the fresh water pump in my 81' H30 this weekend. It works well, and now the sinks work. However, when I turned the pump on, I noticed that there was water draining out of a white plastic tube at the bottom of the water tank. The white plastic tube is about 1" in diameter, is threaded on the outside, and has a large knob that turns on the threads. Unfortunetly I drained the fresh water tank before I could experiment, and I have no water service at the dock right now (they are rebuilding the marina, and have finished the demolition portion of the job). Is this simply the drain port for the tank? Should there be a hose connected to this? We bought the boat recently (december) so I am still learning how everything works. Thanks!

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Are you referring to the boat's water tank, or

the hot water tank? Your header says hot water tank...but you said the tube comes out near the bottom of the water tank... ???

 

[Fred]

Hot water hearter

Sorry, It is the Hot water heater that I am talking about. The fresh water tank is working properly (just needs cleaning).

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

It's prob'ly the drain for the hot water tank

If there's a cap that threads into the tank or onto a nipple, that's definitely what it is. Is it still leaking? If so, you may need to wrap the threads with teflon tape to get it to seal.

 

[Joe Ciccone]

Water Heater Tank

Dear Fred,Small world! I was in Hampton and Norfolk last week on business.Am sure you are talking about the round water heater taks which sits under the cockpit floor. The pipe you reference is the drain for the heater. As you indicated, you drained water out last year and the leaking might be caused by sediment/sand in the valve. Open the valve again and drain off a little more water to clear the valve. If this doesn't work, you can buy a plastic garden hose cap and screw it in place. This will stop the driping into the bilge. One other suggestion I might offer for your overall water supply system is to add an accumilator tank (from ACE or True Value hardware store or a plumbing supply house)The tank will work to buffer the supply system and minimize the cycling of your water pump which will add to its life. I added one 6 years ago and am still runing the same water supply pump.Good luck and if your ever in Oriental, NC look me up.Regards, Joe Ciccone

 

[Fred]

Thanks everybody

Thanks to all of you. One day I hope to have water service again, and I can test these ideas out. Techincally, I gues I could carry 5 or 6 gallons of water to the boat and refill the fresh water tank, but I am a bit lazy for that idea. Joe,  It is a small world. I went to Camp Seagull to learn to sail for three summers when I was a kid. If I remember correctly, Oriental is the closest city to Arapahoe, where Sea Gull is located.

 

[Peggie Hall/Head Mistress]

Have you considered...

Going sailing and putting into another marina to fill your water tank?