Hot Water Tank on Empty

[Brad Meilink]

I'm getting ready for early spring sailing. Last fall when winterizing, I drained the water tanks and by-passed the hot water heater, leaving it empty.

My question: Do I risk damaging the heat exchanger in the hot water heater if I run the engine while the water heater is empty? If the answer is yes, can I fill it with RV anti-freeze (pink) without causing problems. It is still too early to fill the tanks with water and let her ride!

I'm thinking I'll be alright, but the question has been nagging me and I thought I would check with the group before I missed something and would need to start spending boat bucks on repairs .

Thanks,

Brad



bmeilink@shentel.net

[Lyn Heiges]

Brad,

I am NO AUTHORITY on this, however, the system to the best of my knowledge is just a coil through which the water circulates around the periphery inside the tank assembly. This is just a means of disapating some of the heat, if desired, and otherwise the normal heat exchanger should be more than adequate to handle the job. Many of the engine installations are without the water heating and they all seem to use a common heat exchange for the particular type engine installed.

Therefore, in MY OPINION, there is no problem in operating without anything in the water system. I would be a little more concerned when using the "pink stuff" because I believe it uses some types of fats to keep the fluid safe for drinking, but how do these break down with heat? You might invite other problems if they are dispersed in the hot water system!

Contact Raritan (if they were the heater manufacturer) or Yanmar or Volvo, etc. if they manufactured the engine.

There's my nickle's worth!

Good Luck,
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD (with a water heater-but in Florida!)
CD27 GUILLEMOT (raw water cooling and no hot water!)

I'm getting ready for early spring sailing. Last fall when winterizing, I drained the water tanks and by-passed the hot water heater, leaving it empty.

My question: Do I risk damaging the heat exchanger in the hot water heater if I run the engine while the water heater is empty? If the answer is yes, can I fill it with RV anti-freeze (pink) without causing problems. It is still too early to fill the tanks with water and let her ride!

I'm thinking I'll be alright, but the question has been nagging me and I thought I would check with the group before I missed something and would need to start spending boat bucks on repairs .

Thanks,

Brad

lheiges@compuserve.com

[Brad Meilink]

Lyn:

Thanks for your response.

I guess I wasn't clear when I stated my question. I agree, there should be no problem with the engine. My concern is harming the heat exchanger inside the water heater. Will it become 'too hot'? I wouldn't think so, but I'm not sure if it is designed to operate only immersed in a water 'heat sink'.

Any other thoughts?

Brad

Brad,

I am NO AUTHORITY on this, however, the system to the best of my knowledge is just a coil through which the water circulates around the periphery inside the tank assembly. This is just a means of disapating some of the heat, if desired, and otherwise the normal heat exchanger should be more than adequate to handle the job. Many of the engine installations are without the water heating and they all seem to use a common heat exchange for the particular type engine installed.

Therefore, in MY OPINION, there is no problem in operating without anything in the water system. I would be a little more concerned when using the "pink stuff" because I believe it uses some types of fats to keep the fluid safe for drinking, but how do these break down with heat? You might invite other problems if they are dispersed in the hot water system!

Contact Raritan (if they were the heater manufacturer) or Yanmar or Volvo, etc. if they manufactured the engine.

There's my nickle's worth!

Good Luck,
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD (with a water heater-but in Florida!)
CD27 GUILLEMOT (raw water cooling and no hot water!)

I'm getting ready for early spring sailing. Last fall when winterizing, I drained the water tanks and by-passed the hot water heater, leaving it empty.

My question: Do I risk damaging the heat exchanger in the hot water heater if I run the engine while the water heater is empty? If the answer is yes, can I fill it with RV anti-freeze (pink) without causing problems. It is still too early to fill the tanks with water and let her ride!

I'm thinking I'll be alright, but the question has been nagging me and I thought I would check with the group before I missed something and would need to start spending boat bucks on repairs .

Thanks,

Brad

bmeilink@shentel.net

[Joe Wysong]

I'm getting ready for early spring sailing. Last fall when winterizing, I drained the water tanks and by-passed the hot water heater, leaving it empty.

My question: Do I risk damaging the heat exchanger in the hot water heater if I run the engine while the water heater is empty? If the answer is yes, can I fill it with RV anti-freeze (pink) without causing problems. It is still too early to fill the tanks with water and let her ride!

I'm thinking I'll be alright, but the question has been nagging me and I thought I would check with the group before I missed something and would need to start spending boat bucks on repairs .

Thanks,

Brad

Brad:

No problem. The only thing to be concerned about is using the water heater on shore power if empty. This will mucho pronto burn out the electric heat coils which are totally separate from the hot/cooling water circulating system.

On the "pink stuff." We used to sail out of the Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol, Maine. This is the yard where the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, the Harvey Gamage, the Shanandoah, and other great wooden ships were built. One fall I noticed cases of cheap Vodka stacked against the wall. I looked at Linwood Gamage, son of Harvey, and said: "No matter how bad the winter gets, you can't possibly drink all that!"

"Nope." (Linwood is famous for his long windedness).

Linwood was using the vodka in place of non-toxic anti-freeze to winterize the fresh water systems of all the boats he stored for the winter. Unlike the nasty pink stuff, it leaves no taste in the water system. Start your spring fresh without that yucky sweet taste! We stop off at one of those famous New Hampshire State Liquor stores on the way to the boat and buy whatever brand they have on sale that day. It usually costs less than non-toxic anti-freeze.

There is a great movie, "Signs of Life," about the closing of a traditional shipyard that was filmed in and about the Gamage yard about 15 years ago. It was shown on PBS as an American Playhouse special and can still be purchased/rented.

When asked his opinion of the movie, Linwood responded: "Great pictures, lousy plot." (Once he got going, it was hard to shut him up.)

Joe



tgjournal@gestalt.org

[Lyn Heiges]

Joe,

I loved your post regarding the "winterizing"!! I have heard of that product's use before, but never compared price.

I remember a time in college where I made "instant coffee" using vodka instead of water. My roomate had a party in our dorm room that night and I was zonked out in bed and allegedly people were sitting on the bed and I was undisturbed. I can remember the next day somewhat and I remember the dorm mother making me eat scrambled eggs to clear my noggin.

I did not mention the electrical in my previous post and you are 100% correct!

I am a Lynwood and with the "Y" being further down the alphabet, than the "I", I am a little longer-winded than Mr. Linwood Gamage.

Warm Regards from St. Pete Beach, Florida
Lynwood Heiges, Jr.
CD28 MOON CHILD
CD27 GUILLEMOT

I'm getting ready for early spring sailing. Last fall when winterizing, I drained the water tanks and by-passed the hot water heater, leaving it empty.

My question: Do I risk damaging the heat exchanger in the hot water heater if I run the engine while the water heater is empty? If the answer is yes, can I fill it with RV anti-freeze (pink) without causing problems. It is still too early to fill the tanks with water and let her ride!

I'm thinking I'll be alright, but the question has been nagging me and I thought I would check with the group before I missed something and would need to start spending boat bucks on repairs .

Thanks,

Brad

Brad:

No problem. The only thing to be concerned about is using the water heater on shore power if empty. This will mucho pronto burn out the electric heat coils which are totally separate from the hot/cooling water circulating system.

On the "pink stuff." We used to sail out of the Gamage Shipyard in South Bristol, Maine. This is the yard where the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, the Harvey Gamage, the Shanandoah, and other great wooden ships were built. One fall I noticed cases of cheap Vodka stacked against the wall. I looked at Linwood Gamage, son of Harvey, and said: "No matter how bad the winter gets, you can't possibly drink all that!"

"Nope." (Linwood is famous for his long windedness).

Linwood was using the vodka in place of non-toxic anti-freeze to winterize the fresh water systems of all the boats he stored for the winter. Unlike the nasty pink stuff, it leaves no taste in the water system. Start your spring fresh without that yucky sweet taste! We stop off at one of those famous New Hampshire State Liquor stores on the way to the boat and buy whatever brand they have on sale that day. It usually costs less than non-toxic anti-freeze.

There is a great movie, "Signs of Life," about the closing of a traditional shipyard that was filmed in and about the Gamage yard about 15 years ago. It was shown on PBS as an American Playhouse special and can still be purchased/rented.

When asked his opinion of the movie, Linwood responded: "Great pictures, lousy plot." (Once he got going, it was hard to shut him up.)

Joe

lheiges@compuserve.com

[Lyn Heiges]

Brad,

By now you have probably read Joe Wysong's post and I you can still see after possibly sampling the recommended anti-freeze---!! Just kidding!!!

I think he said it properly. The electrical element is the one to watch out for as it has nowhere to dissipate the energy (heat) and it WILL burn out quickly!! However, I believe the coil used for the water system is similar, if not the same, as your copper pipe in your household plumbing. If you touch your household hot water supply pipe soon after hot water has run through the pipe, it will feel warm to hot on the outside of the pipe, but no damage results.

Call BOAT/US or Raritan to get some accurate info, for sure.

Warm Regards from St. Pete Beach, Florida!!

Lyn Heiges

Lyn:

Thanks for your response.

I guess I wasn't clear when I stated my question. I agree, there should be no problem with the engine. My concern is harming the heat exchanger inside the water heater. Will it become 'too hot'? I wouldn't think so, but I'm not sure if it is designed to operate only immersed in a water 'heat sink'.

Any other thoughts?

Brad

Brad,

I am NO AUTHORITY on this, however, the system to the best of my knowledge is just a coil through which the water circulates around the periphery inside the tank assembly. This is just a means of disapating some of the heat, if desired, and otherwise the normal heat exchanger should be more than adequate to handle the job. Many of the engine installations are without the water heating and they all seem to use a common heat exchange for the particular type engine installed.

Therefore, in MY OPINION, there is no problem in operating without anything in the water system. I would be a little more concerned when using the "pink stuff" because I believe it uses some types of fats to keep the fluid safe for drinking, but how do these break down with heat? You might invite other problems if they are dispersed in the hot water system!

Contact Raritan (if they were the heater manufacturer) or Yanmar or Volvo, etc. if they manufactured the engine.

There's my nickle's worth!

Good Luck,
Lyn Heiges
CD28 MOON CHILD (with a water heater-but in Florida!)
CD27 GUILLEMOT (raw water cooling and no hot water!)

I'm getting ready for early spring sailing. Last fall when winterizing, I drained the water tanks and by-passed the hot water heater, leaving it empty.

My question: Do I risk damaging the heat exchanger in the hot water heater if I run the engine while the water heater is empty? If the answer is yes, can I fill it with RV anti-freeze (pink) without causing problems. It is still too early to fill the tanks with water and let her ride!

I'm thinking I'll be alright, but the question has been nagging me and I thought I would check with the group before I missed something and would need to start spending boat bucks on repairs .

Thanks,

Brad

lheiges@compuserve.com