Replacing a hot water heater on an E32
Date: September 22, 1998 After purchasing my '32, I had to wait 12 hours to get hot water from the a/c powered water heater... So, out went the old Raritan. It was round, so I purchased another of the same brand and type. I had to take the top off the old one while still in the engine compartment in order to squish it up through the starboard hatch. So, I figured I'd do the same with the new unit, but not to be. The company went with a closed cell foam that does not change shape or form, unlike the original unit which used fiberglass batting...I ended up with a stainless steel rectangular one that I still had to unscrew the casing to fit the unit into the starboard hatch. Presto. Next problem was the stainless steel unit had no feet, so the tank assembly would've sat flat on the ledge provided. No good. I used some teak 1x3's as a foot for the unit, and anchored the whole assembly with ss screws. Since I was getting wet anyway, I added two lines and the necessary tee's for a cockpit hand held personal shower. The gutsy part was cutting into the starboard cockpit side for the shower wand /control recessed mounting. You need to mount some 3x3 teak squares up under the cockpit sides to run the supply lines in a neat and orderly fashion. Then just use plastic wire straps to anchor the lines ! It's a happy day to get a HOT shower whille not having to dry/clean the cabin head !! Date: October 4, 1998 Is it safe to assume that the hot water you use for your showers is obtained from AC shore power or an onboard generator? I have an E32 '79 with a Yanmar 2qm20 which doesn't produce water hot enough to tell the difference from cold water. In case you have a different engine, mine is raw water cooled. If you have the same engine and heat water from it I'd be very interested in finding your solution. I've checked with Mack Boring (Yanmar dealer) and they told me the engine just runs too cool for any hot water exchanger. By the way, I too have a Raritan heater and upon my purchase of the boat in 1990 it didn't work. I spoke to a Raritan dealer and he suggested purchasing a new element, which I did. When on shore power (very,very infrequently) I now have hot water. Date: October 21, 1998 Yes, I too have the 2QM20, and have shore power to heat the water. Being an '80 model, I just tossed the old unit and started over, figuring the interior was corroded or full of sediment, and ready to leak or something. (home heater is similar, and I didn't want to do the work 2x). My engine puts out very little heat, but I am told to run the thing in gear with a load on it to get some heat through the exchanger. I haven't done that yet, as my trips have only been 2 or 3 days. Tom.
Date: July 27, 2000 Paul:
Date: July 28, 2000 I don't know why you say that engine exhaust water (heat exchanger) doesn't work. from my experience, it does although you do have to run the engine for a while. John Kocher 'NOMAD'
Date: July 31, 2000 Paul, we have a Seward 6 gal hot water heater, (electric) mounted under the lazerett starboard side. I have just installed a 2,000 watt inverter and (with the engine running) going to try and heat water when anchord out. The hot water lasts about 3 days when we're away from the dock. We sail mostly in the Keys so "cold" is 40 - 50 ish. I'll let ya know if the inverter works.
From: Tom Gilbert TGil95746@aol.com
From: Paul Hotz paulhotz@erols.com
From: Tom Gilbert TGil95746@aol.com
From: Paul Kimarow pikomarow@webtv.net
I am having a tough time finding a gas hot water heater.The ones I have found are all too big. The only place to put one seems to be on the port side of the companionway. My e32 just wasn't designed for a heater. As you know,using the engine exhaust water dosen't work and electric would need a 50 mile extention cord. Has any of ou members solved this problem. Help!! we leave for the Bahamas end of Oct.
From: John Kocher JOHNKOCHER@aol.com
From: Ed Blithe BLITHE@Sensormatic.com
