I replaced my leaking Seaward 6 gallon water heater with a force 10 (now KUUMA) water heater. The old one allowed the water to get very hot from the engine heat exchanger and most times I would still have hot /warm water the following morning. The new water heater does not get nearly as hot and definitely does not stay hot for as long. The factory people tell me I need a check valve on the cold water intake as there will be a heat loss in the line backing up to the pump. This does not seem reasonable - any other thoughts. Thanks Don
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Same conditions, different results means...
your new heat exchanger is not performing as good as the old. You did not have a check valve on your old set up did you? Why should you need one now? What about when connected to shore power - is it as hot as the old? If it is just as hot on the shore power, you may not be circulating enough hot water from the engine. Did you flush the system and then refill fluids - any chance you need to top it off??
your new heat exchanger is not performing as good as the old. You did not have a check valve on your old set up did you? Why should you need one now? What about when connected to shore power - is it as hot as the old? If it is just as hot on the shore power, you may not be circulating enough hot water from the engine. Did you flush the system and then refill fluids - any chance you need to top it off??
The Seaward heater on my boat
has a check valve on the cold water inlet side installed at the factory.
has a check valve on the cold water inlet side installed at the factory.
Also Had a Similar Problem
I replaced my water heater recently and had similar issues. The retail outlet where I purchased the unit told me that most new units are not very well insulated. I noticed that the top of the heater was much warmer than the old unit, so this told me that it was losing more heat. I plan on either adding a water heater blanket or some foam insulation in panels. I did have problems with an airlock in the system so had to add a small bleed valve at a high point after the heat exchanger outlet. If you do not get all of the air out, it will affect the flow and the amount of heat transfer will be substantially lower.
I replaced my water heater recently and had similar issues. The retail outlet where I purchased the unit told me that most new units are not very well insulated. I noticed that the top of the heater was much warmer than the old unit, so this told me that it was losing more heat. I plan on either adding a water heater blanket or some foam insulation in panels. I did have problems with an airlock in the system so had to add a small bleed valve at a high point after the heat exchanger outlet. If you do not get all of the air out, it will affect the flow and the amount of heat transfer will be substantially lower.
Add Some Heat
Don, I do not know what size engine you have or where your water heater is located, but I added a Red Dot heat exchanger for cabin heat when the engine is running at the same time I replaced the water heater. I have a 20hp Yanmar so I was not sure there would be enough output to heat the water and the cabin. It works very well. I plumbed in in after the new water heater and cut a hole in the settee seat within the water heater compartment for air flow. I now have "free" cabin heat and hot water. I also have a forced air diesel heater but hate to run both the engine and heater when just the engine now provides all I need while motoring.
Don, I do not know what size engine you have or where your water heater is located, but I added a Red Dot heat exchanger for cabin heat when the engine is running at the same time I replaced the water heater. I have a 20hp Yanmar so I was not sure there would be enough output to heat the water and the cabin. It works very well. I plumbed in in after the new water heater and cut a hole in the settee seat within the water heater compartment for air flow. I now have "free" cabin heat and hot water. I also have a forced air diesel heater but hate to run both the engine and heater when just the engine now provides all I need while motoring.
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