Water heater replacement

[akflyr]

It's now warm enough to turn the water on up here. Filled up the tanks turned on the water pump and started filling the bilge!! The water tank gave up. Is the Raritan 6 gal a direct replacement? Or is there a better replace ment out there. Can this be done from the starboard lazaret? Sure looks like fun.
Thanks Mark

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

No it's not a direct replacement, but...

there is no better replacement, nor a replacement that's anywhere as good when it comes to quality and durability. Average life is more than 20 years.

 

[Richard Shelby]

I think I have exactly the same problem: Leaking Raritan 6 gal in a 1981 H37c. This leak could not possibly be in a worse place. I'll let you know how it comes out.

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Are you sure the tank is leaking?

That you don't need a new water heater, just a new pressure relief valve?

 

[Jim Legere]

Remove the water heater...

...Through the starboard cockpit locker. Once you remove all the plywood partition panels (not just the access hatch), its pretty straightforward. I took min out to rebuild the outer casing and insulation - the inner tank was OK, but a drip from the pedestal rusted the outside parts away. I think my original is a Raritan and is probably about 6 gal. Its 26 years old now and will probably need replacing soon too. I guess they are pretty good if they last so long, but I might look at one of those little square stainless steel jobs next time round.

 

[Richard Shelby]

It was, in fact, the pressure relief valve. The local hardware had an exact (and I mean same mfg). 1 gal of sweat, two scraped knuckles, a series of %$##@!!, and nine dollars later, it's fixed.

 

[OBX Sail 37C]

It was, in fact, the pressure relief valve. The local hardware had an exact (and I mean same mfg). 1 gal of sweat, two scraped knuckles, a series of %$##@!!, and nine dollars later, it's fixed.

I just changed mine on my 37C with a "little square One". Works great. Take off the plywood in the starboard locker, and it pretty much slides in. Some labor but not too hard.