Water Heater Replacement Install

[wsonntag]

All:

I have read as many posts as I could bring up with my clumsy search term selection. As usual good information from many of them. I have selected the replacement water heater, learned how to cut up the rusty Raritan in order to get it out through the cockpit locker hatch.

The one question that I'm not sure about is how to adapt/couple the old style grey polybutylene water lines that have spin-on plastic nuts to the 1/2" NPT barbed fittings? The 5/8" engine heat exchange hoses look to be simple.

Please, a description of any experience with this would be most appreciated. Thank you very much in advance.

And FYI, I bought a West Marine 6 gallon unit with shore power and engine heat exchanger heating. Its a Kuuma unit, West Marine branded, looks like an aluminum exterior shroud that should resist rust. It should fit easily and I simply could not find a higher quality, better engineered unit that was going to go in there without structural mayhem. I'm somewhat worried about the anticipated longevity of the new equipment, but keeping up with the sacrificial zincs, using plastic fittings and extra care with draining and winterizing should protect the melon skin like aluminum tank. New unit has a significant weight advantage too. Heck the rusty Raritan slowly leaked for many seasons, I can't really remember when it didn't have a bit of a dribble. But hey 30 years of service ain't bad!

Again, thanks in advance,

Bill Sonntag
Surprise CD31

[Russell]

A short length of hose from the water heater, to an adaptor that connects to your polybutylene plumbing. You can find adaptors that go from polybutylene compression fitting on one side, to threaded on the other, where you could screw in a hose barb fitting.

[wsonntag]

I just posted a relatively detailed description of a water heater replacement installation over on the project description portion of the board. Hope it might be useful for current or future projects and searches.

Bill Sonntag
Surprise
CD31

[Phil Shedd]

Bill

I replaced my heater a number of years ago. System works well. Had to make some changes .
Here are a few pictures of the new install.

Phil

[wsonntag]

Phil:

Thanks, I'll post a couple of photos after I "visit my money" this coming weekend. I note your innovation with the header tank mount, nice arrangement but looks like top offs might be a wee bit difficult, but really, I rarely have had to add coolant over the 18 years I've owned the boat, old engine and new. Also I note that the Force 10 labeled heater (same manufacturer I understand) has side located hold-down/attachment flanges rather than front and back - interesting. Thanks for sharing this, you might want to re-post in the project section for others future reference. Though I did gain some insight from searching the web board before I started, these posts of ours now set the standard for information on this project.

Cheers!

Bill Sonntag
SURPRISE