Hot Water Heaters

[Mippa2]

I was wondering if somebody could give me a quick crash course in hot water heaters.  My 26' Rinker has the standard hot water heater that those boats came with.  It's in port stern quarter located behind/next to the batteries.  A friend of mine told me just make sure if you turn it on there is water in it or you'll burn out the heating element... how do you know if water is flowing to the heater and if you use the shower how do you know that a continual flow of water is getting to the heater?  

As the boat is still covered up I am not really familar with the set up and plumbing of it... I am just curious and am looking for a more general/in therory type of response.

Thanks!

Only a few more weeks until it begins!

[jdriscoll]

unless it has a bypass(like in a camper) water is directed to it from your main supply,so when you turn on the hot faucet water runs through the heater even if its off.I allways run the water through all faucets in the boat in spring BEFORE turning the breaker for the heater on.

[Talon]

Agreed - make sure you have water running to all the faucets before turning the heater on. If the boat is winterized, make sure you close the drain valve on the heater as well. I've forgot that last year  

[Mippa2]

Yeah I guess that would make sense that when you turn the hot water faucet it runs from the fresh water tank through the hot water heater.

Thanks

[Ronnie]

Hey Talon  dont feel bad  when I bought my 01 242 fv  I was getting paperwork finished with Dave ,& his mechanic (who is no longer there) was doing the final prep for delivery he was filling up the water tank, trying to pressurize the system ,& couldn't figure out why it wouldn't   when the water starting pumping out the bilge exhaust I ck'ed in the hatch & found he didn't close the drain either

[Talon]

Good to hear even the pro's forget! I'm actually going up to see Dave today. Need to get some pricing on a couple upgrades  

[Ronnie]

Christmas in March???    More toys

[Talon]

Yep. Getting a bunch of stuff off the '06 models for mine. On a related note, if any of you want an 2006 teak floor, forget it. It's installed before the deck goes on during construction. Won't fit down the companionway.