Water Heater on 2002 Sailfish

[sluggoe]

had the boat about 6 months and never used the water heater.....but now want to use it.

i read the manual and it says make sure there's water in the tank before using.

i assume you press the water pressure switch and that fills the water heater tank but i am not sure.

can someone tell me the procedure for filling the heater tank, checking the water level in the heater tank, and utilizing the heater on the shore power?

---sluggoe.

 

[BobP]

Whenyou open the hot water faucets and HW shower faucet, does water run out ?

 

[Legend]

The hot water is pressurized by the fresh water switch. to make sure there is water in the tank just turn on the hot water and if water flow you are set. Heats up pretty quick and stay hot for several hours when you are not connected to shore power.

 

[Marty grady 272]

It only takes about 30 seconds or less to burn out the electric elements on a water heater if the heating elements are energized with no water around the elements to take the heat away from the element. This goes for any electric water heater in a boat or in a house or business. The manufacturers warranty does not cover this. Always make sure that the oot water tank is filled before putting 120 v or any other power to them. Most elements in water heaters are hard to get out even when there is room to work. On a boat with restricted space it can be terrible

 

[sluggoe]

not sure i follow:

do you mean turn on the hot water at the faucet/shower first (before connecting to shore power) and see if anything comes out?

is there a gauge on the water heater itself to check and see if it has water and how much?

by pressing the water pressure switch while on battery power, will the hot water tank automatically draw water from the aft 32 gallon water tank and fill it up?

 

[Marty grady 272]

When I said turn on the water heater on I was refering to the electric power to the heater. I would open a faucet on the hot water to see if any water comes out. It reguires that the pressure pump to be on to get the initial fill up of water in the spring after the water heater was drained for the winter.I repeat my origional warning that there must be water filling the water heater before the electric power is turned on!!! If not the electric element will burn out very quickly.

 

[Hookup1]

Water tank

It's really pretty simple. The water heater fill from the bottom with cold fresh water and flows out the top as hot water (after it has had time to warm up).

Open one of you hot water faucets or push lever to hot water only. When the water comes out you have filled the hot water heater. Turn on the electric and enjoy.

When you go to winterize you need to consider the hot water tank filling from the bottom. You either have to put enough antifreeze to fill the tank (bad idea) or drain the tank by pulling a hose off, by passing the water heater and/or blowing the lines out with air.

 

[BobP]

Slug, the heater fills by itself once you open a hot water faucet which allows the air to be displaced by water, only need to have pump on, otherwsie no water will flow.

Of course you need plenty of water in FW water tank.


Once the water flows out the hot water faucet, the heater is full, then you turn on the heater elec power,

 

[sluggoe]

ok, i got it now.
thx for the responses and help.
--slug