Water Heater on boat with engine heat exchanger

[@sailingkeylimepie-pirateflag]

Informative. One suggestion for electrical. I recommend using heat shrink on all your connections.

[@haileighg1687]

Our water heater just died on us. Thank you for this! We have a kuuma so this was helpful. I was worried the installation would be over my head.

[@gregr1541]

Make sure you use the right fittins

[@glennwatkins3322]

Does this require a coolant line pump to move the coolant or is the difference between engine and hot water tank sufficient to allow coolant temp homeostasis?

[@johngotschall]

can you say the size of the potable water connection threads (1/2 or 3/4" npt) that are cut into the bungs on the watertank? thx.

[@VagabondEpicurean]

i think they are 1/2", thanks for watching

[@VagabondEpicurean]

Calvin, 1. the heater needs to be drained and winterized 2. as for tankless, that would take AC power, but with the engine running the engine will heat the water through the heat exchanger when no AC is available, However, there are some propane tankless heaters but I think those are rather expensive

[@timtowles]

Capt Larry has a good point about the internal water heater heat exchanger failing. This happened to me. The engine will loose it’s coolant and overheat along with creating a mess under the water heater. Also, Don’ t say “Hot Water Heater” unless you would describe an ice maker as a frozen water freezer.

[@VagabondEpicurean]

thank you. I have had this type of system on other boats over the past 25 years and never had an issue. But i could see how it could happen.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Tim Tim Tim...There ARE warm water heaters (120-150 degrees) in some industries and in labs. The HOT water heater moniker is correct. I guess you are a retired plumber?

[@timtowles]

Haha! I used the term in front of the diesel mechanic who advises me on engine matters. He scalded me and rolled his eyes so now I must do the same to everyone I encounter who uses this term.

[@sailrxsin]

Did you place an inline fuse on this? what size?

[@strannielson5342]

Would it be possible to only run electrical to the water heater and not the coolant?

[@VagabondEpicurean]

i think so, but i would ck Kuuma www.camcomarine.com/collections/water-heaters thanks for watching

[@IandiBoats]

So the engine heat exchanger works when the engine is running, does the electricity automatically shut off?

[@VagabondEpicurean]

The electricity is off when I leave the pier as I do not have a generator. Plus the temp sensors would not call for elec once the water reached the right temp, so i guess the answer is yes the elec automatically shuts off

[@kyledoody2544]

Is this heater rated to get wet from outside water? Water resistant/weather resistant?

[@VagabondEpicurean]

i dont know, but have never had outside water on it, it is in a closed area.

[@MrTS-rn7pt]

How can I adjust the temperature on the water heater?

[@VagabondEpicurean]

if i remember right there is an ajustment behind the the electric cover for shore power.

[@fluiddynamicist]

Can you please tell us how did you bleed the air in the coolant lines?? Thanks

[@VagabondEpicurean]

All I did was run the engine until it was hot and the thermostat opened, shut off the engine. Then added coolant to the engine, not the expiation tank. I put the coolant cap on, but not tight, just to the 1st turn ran the engine again until it was hot and repeated the process about 3 times. When I did not need to add coolant any more I put the cap on tight and the engine has been running great.I hope this helps.

[@fluiddynamicist]

+WaterfrontVacations1 interesting, my hx iz higher than the engine, and it takes a lot to bleed it... I will try to run the engine at 2000-2500 rpm this time. Rgx. V

[@captlarry-3525]

There is a real risk that a leak in the internal heat exchanger in the hot water heater can introduce toxic anti-freeze into your drinking water.. pressure test the system periodically.

[@steph4287]

So do you have to run the engines to get hot water?

[@VagabondEpicurean]

if you have 110 electric no, only if you don't have electric 110

[@steph4287]

Vagabond Epicurean Sooo is that 30 and/or 50 amp shore power? Sorry if this is an overly basic question.

[@VagabondEpicurean]

@@steph4287 i run mine on 30 amp shore power, not sure what the breaker is, but i will check.

[@steph4287]

Vagabond Epicurean great! Then I may be hooking one up after all! I’ll do some more research (just started looking). Thanks!

[@paulmaldonado1213]

I just want to use for the heat, and hotter the better, I don't understand this part, it has a heating element.. why you need the boat to heat up the hot water tank? On your buy converter box and extra battery, to give enough power for the hot water tank, 🙄 but what ever works,

[@kingswatersystems3882]

Great video! Would you do a video on tank disinfection using Kings Water Systems? We make a hand held machine that creates ozone , hydrogen peroxide and chlorine. It is designed to not only kill all bacteria but reduce orders and tastes.

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Perhaps a request like this is best sent in some other manner. This is a bit tacky.

[@captlarry-3525]

whoo boy.. this is a classic example of the low rent help you pay big money for when getting your boat serviced. Pre-fill the damn water heater heat exchanger with coolant.. so there are very few bubbles .. the expansion tank is NOT the right place to top up the system.. it is not normally connected to the cooling system.. unless the coolant is very hot ! Sheesh.. so much wrong info.

[@VagabondEpicurean]

thank you for you input, so far it is working great, I am the low rent help:)

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Hey Capt...why not advise what SHOULD be done instead of lambast what HAS been done. Sheesh!

[@donjvalley]

Interesting install but I think that I would rather have a watermaker and a Rinnai tankless water heater...

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

So would I yet what has that to do with an affordable hot water heater?

[@giovannimarcofini3556]

Aluminum inner tank. Give me a break. Aluminum is an ANODE ..go stainless or glass lined if you are an educated mariner!

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Who wants to be an educated mariner when we have experts like you Giovanni? Have you studied this particular heater and determined there is a galvanic corrosion bridge point? Never forget that the high-end marine hot water heaters cost three times as much as this puppy. This unit could work for a decade for all we know.

[@roybm3124]

Ring connectors not y connectors.

[@VagabondEpicurean]

true, the ABYC is ok with y-fork as long as they have the ends turned up, thank you for your input

[@steveolson4584]

"F-I-T-T-I-N-G!!!!" Omg...

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Steve. Put on your big boy pants and think before you make a comment like this. Otherwise you look like a complete A-R-S-E.

[@marineguyz8496]

The heater is really low quality.. avoid Kumah.. we dispose them with boring regularity.

[@VagabondEpicurean]

Not true i have this for 8 yeas and still works great.