Why is the hot water side dark gray?

[Skipper]

My hot water side is dark gray. Just started showing this color. Ran it a bunch. Still gray.
This is from a new HTP Superstore 6 gal heater. Put it in last year.
Cold water side is clear. Neither side has any oder.
Is this corrosion? Why would a stainless heater tank be corroding?

 

[woodster]

call Superstore and see what they say...... they may have a good answer for this......

 

[centerline]

the anode that is in the tank may be breaking down faster than normal for some reason.... in the search for the problem, the first thing i would do is check the voltage differentials to see if there is a voltage leak somewhere that may be causing the zinc to erode.....

 

[capta]

the anode that is in the tank may be breaking down faster than normal for some reason.... in the search for the problem, the first thing i would do is check the voltage differentials to see if there is a voltage leak somewhere that may be causing the zinc to erode.....

Are certain there are zincs in hot water heaters? It seems like that could be a pretty toxic thing to add to potable water.

 

[Skipper]

There's no anode. I don't think stainless tanks have anodes.
The voltage leak theory is interesting. But it's fresh water inside.

 

[Skipper]

call Superstore and see what they say...... they may have a good answer for this......

I will good idea. It's under warrantee but I dread having to change it out. Maybe they know this issue. They discontinued their marine water heater. I think about 4 minutes after I bought mine.

 

[Bill Roosa]

Is the water dark gray or the hose?
if the water is dark gray did you install a charcoal filter? Is the water going into the heater clear?

 

[Skipper]

Is the water dark gray or the hose? if the water is dark gray did you install a charcoal filter? Is the water going into the heater clear?

No filter. Yes it's clear going in. And there's no odor. Smells fresh.
I checked it again this morning. You can't really see the gray in a clear glass. It's when I use a white ceramic mug that it looks very cloudy gray almost black. But cold side water in same mug is totally clear. Using white mug discovered gray color, so maybe it has been gray the whole time (?)
I think the tank metal is leaching into the water. Need to find out why.

 

[GeorgiaBII]

Any black rubber hoses in the system? The hot water might be breaking them down.

 

[Skipper]

Any black rubber hoses in the system? The hot water might be breaking them down.

No rubber hoses. Copper plumbing on the hot side from the heater to galley and head sinks.

 

[petersea]

run a bypass on the heater and see what color water you get, at least by bypassing it you can determine if it is the problem and replace it.

 

[CaptainDave]

My hot water side is dark gray. Just started showing this color. Ran it a bunch. Still gray.
This is from a new HTP Superstore 6 gal heater. Put it in last year.
Cold water side is clear. Neither side has any oder.
Is this corrosion? Why would a stainless heater tank be corroding?

What method are you using to heat the hot water tank?

 

[CaptainDave]

My hot water side is dark gray. Just started showing this color. Ran it a bunch. Still gray.
This is from a new HTP Superstore 6 gal heater. Put it in last year.
Cold water side is clear. Neither side has any oder.
Is this corrosion? Why would a stainless heater tank be corroding?

I would run out and pick up a water quality test kit to see exactly what's in the water. I install pretty fancy drinking water filters on any boat I take care of. You might consider installing a filter.

 

[ggrizzard]

Copper water lines... Solder in the connections leaching out?

 

[capta]

Copper water lines... Solder in the connections leaching out?

Boy, that must be a huge heap of solder. LOL
I agree with the water filter idea, if you have pressure water. We use the Purr spigot filter on the galley spigot and it works like a charm, averaging 6 weeks per filter (2 people, full time liveaboards). We never add bleach to our water because of our watermaker, so I like having a good filter for potable water from 30 year old baffled tanks, not that the water tastes or smells bad w/o the filter.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

Relax ... if it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger.

 

[Skipper]

Boy, that must be a huge heap of solder. LOL
I agree with the water filter idea, if you have pressure water. We use the Purr spigot filter on the galley spigot and it works like a charm, averaging 6 weeks per filter (2 people, full time liveaboards). We never add bleach to our water because of our watermaker, so I like having a good filter for potable water from 30 year old baffled tanks, not that the water tastes or smells bad w/o the filter.

Thank you. Yes, am not worried about the water coloration that much; it's the heater I'm concerned about. We have drinking water separate. Use the faucets for washing, etc.

I don't want that expensive, bear-to-install, highly recommended heater going bad because I didn't fix a problem.

Also, because I've paid a huge amount of attention to the fresh water system (New heater, rebuilt pressure pump, rebuilt manual pump, hand-cleaned both water tanks, replaced couplings and check valves, repaired the galley faucet, kept the water tanks bacteria-free, proper winterizing, etc.) It would be nice to have clear water

 

[capta]

Thank you. Yes, am not worried about the water coloration that much; it's the heater I'm concerned about. We have drinking water separate. Use the faucets for washing, etc.

I don't want that expensive, bear-to-install, highly recommended heater going bad because I didn't fix a problem.

Also, because I've paid a huge amount of attention to the fresh water system (New heater, rebuilt pressure pump, rebuilt manual pump, hand-cleaned both water tanks, replaced couplings and check valves, repaired the galley faucet, kept the water tanks bacteria-free, proper winterizing, etc.) It would be nice to have clear water

Indeed. I agree completely. I have absolutely no idea why your hot water is grey, sorry. It doesn't make sense to me. If, which I don't believe you have, you also had engine heated hot water, then you could have a factory fault in the exchange piping, but that would more than likely be a reddish colored water.
Good luck w/ this one, I wish I had an idea that would help you.

 

[Skipper]

Indeed. I agree completely. I have absolutely no idea why your hot water is grey, sorry. It doesn't make sense to me. If, which I don't believe you have, you also had engine heated hot water, then you could have a factory fault in the exchange piping, but that would more than likely be a reddish colored water.
Good luck w/ this one, I wish I had an idea that would help you.

Thanks Capta.

I do have the heat exchanger for hot water. Yep, if it were cross-pollinating I'd have green coolant color.

I also called HTP support line. Was on hold 15 minutes, then hung up but pushed their button for automated call back. No calls back yet. I also hit their chat screen - guy said to call the support line :-| So I emailed. Nothing yet.

I wish Mainesail would chime in. He's the one who said he used to work for HTP and that this was on his list of recommended heaters. Maybe he knows what this issue is.

 

[RobG]

I'm thinking it's super fine air bubbles. The hot water side plumbing/heater could be mixing them in or the process of heating the water could too. Take a sample off the boat in a clear sealed container and bring it home. Let it sit very still for a while and see if anything precipitates out. If air it will also work it's way out and you can then try a white mug.