All Forums › Boat Talk › Hot water system
- This topic has 8 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 5th May 2013, 8:33 am by .
- AuthorPosts
- 10th April 2013 at 1:16 pm #11163
I have no hot water aboard and the engines are raw water cooled. Does anybody have experience of adding a hot water system for domestic use (not heating) and can offer any advice, please? Thanks.
13th April 2013 at 8:22 pm #12008Hi Dave, when i replaced the plumbing i added a calorifier for the hot water system. We mainly pontoon hop so it runs of the 240v circuit (have also fitted a inverter/charger). When we get the chance to do some long distance cruising i will change the element to a 12v version and add a wind charger and set it up so the excess from the turbine after batteries are charged will go into the calorifier. At the same time i also added solid moulded plastic freshwater tanks and re-piped with hep2o pipe and fittings. Has been serving well for past 2 years just great ( looks around for some wood to touch).. The system you finally went for would really need to suit the type of sailing you planning?
20th April 2013 at 11:39 am #12007Dave, You can use a gas water heater just to heat water, but there are regulations about sealing any places where pipes come through any bulkheads. Also regs about venting any CO2 out of the boat (for safety reasons).
As Salty says you can use a calorifier run off the engine, but that usually is fresh water cooled variety, not raw water as yours is. You could fairly simply put in a tank with an immersion heater and a pressurised pump system to pump it to the heads and galley. Are you going to use it mostly in marinas on 240v or will it need to be 12v? Loads of choices and prices to choose from.
Cheers
Chrissie20th April 2013 at 6:41 pm #12010Thanks for those thoughts. Gas seems to me dodgy on boats so the less the better! I am going to install a new cooker next winter and have the gas checked then so I might reconsider adding a water option. Currently my thoughts are leaning towards the immersion heater especially as Salty mentioned a 12v element which I did not know about. Certainly a pressurised water system is needed with hep2o piping. I am installing a 240v circuit but as an option and not for regular marina use On another tack..is there a way to put a balance pipe between water tanks in each hull to even weight balance? Thanks again
21st April 2013 at 10:26 pm #12011I too sort to minimalise the amount of gás systems on board. I put in a completely new set up for the cooker. In the gás locker is fitted with a bubble leak Checker and also a automatic bottle change over valve which switches to the full bottle when the 'in use' bottle is emptied. Also fitted a gás alarm with sensors both under the floor in the galley and in the forward water tank cupboard between the galley and gas locker. Alarm has solinoid in the locker to suit off supply if alarm is activated. Manual shut off valve at the cooker for belts and braces.
I would think it would be difficult to use a balancing pipe for tanks as they are lower than the saloon floor and forward deck lockers too. I chose the route of a three way valve in the heads and jualsowitch from one tank to the other as needed, also helps with keeping tabs on how much is left ;).. The water pump also is fitted in the heads with calorifier, the engines on the HT are too small to give off enough got water to make use of in the calorifier, went for this option as if needed i could add a small eberspacher water heater like found on a lot of vehicles as an deisel option later if required. So far the electric option has worked great we do on occation use the inverter to heat a tank of water at sew while running the engine to keep the batteries topped up. Electrical system is a whole other thread :).21st April 2013 at 10:31 pm #12009I too sort to minimalise the amount of gás systems on board. I put in a completely new set up for the cooker. In the gás locker is fitted with a bubble leak Checker and also a automatic bottle change over valve which switches to the full bottle when the 'in use' bottle is emptied. Also fitted a gás alarm with sensors both under the floor in the galley and in the forward water tank cupboard between the galley and gas locker. Alarm has solinoid in the locker to suit off supply if alarm is activated. Manual shut off valve at the cooker for belts and braces.
I would think it would be difficult to use a balancing pipe for tanks as they are lower than the saloon floor and forward deck lockers too. I chose the route of a three way valve in the heads and jualsowitch from one tank to the other as needed, also helps with keeping tabs on how much is left ;).. The water pump also is fitted in the heads with calorifier, the engines on the HT are too small to give off enough got water to make use of in the calorifier, went for this option as if needed i could add a small eberspacher water heater like found on a lot of vehicles as an deisel option later if required. So far the electric option has worked great we do on occation use the inverter to heat a tank of water at sew while running the engine to keep the batteries topped up. Electrical system is a whole other thread :).4th May 2013 at 11:06 am #12012Salty
Many thanks for your comments..much to consider as to the best way to stay clean and warm without breaking the bank or sinking the boat! The more I think about it the more I wonder how much one needs hot water in hot climes…..
Cheers
Dave4th May 2013 at 6:54 pm #12014No Problem, Just thinking of being in hot climates and keeping energy drain on the boat to a minimum. One of those black water bags in the rigging would give you enough for a wash down at the end of the day 🙂
5th May 2013 at 8:33 am #12013Yep your right….I do have a solar power shower but it doesn't seem to work very well in Millbrook…it's a bit old so maybe it's faulty?!
- AuthorPosts
- The forum ‘Boat Talk’ is closed to new topics and replies.
