Water Heater Construction

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dejavu's picture
dejavu
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Water Heater Construction

Hi all. I was poking around today with a flashlight and noticed some rusting on the bottom edges of my hot water heater. I'm wondering if the metal box contains another vessel that actually holds the water or if the metal box is all there is. If the latter, I'm going to need a water heater soon.:eek: I didn't detect any signs of leaking yet. Thanks for the input.

Mike

Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA

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TomSoko
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Posts: 978

Mike,
The water heater in our boats (and all water heaters, for that matter) is a tank, inside of a case (box), surrounded by insulation. It's very possible for the outside case to be very rusty, and the tank itself be in fine shape. It's also possible for the outside case to be in good condition, and the tank be falling apart and leaking. If your's is still the OEM W/H, it might be time to replace it. The Owner's Encyclopedia on this site contains the model numbers for replacement tanks.

Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT

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dejavu
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Thanks, Tom, that's how I thought they were built. Maybe I'll just keep my eye on it over the summer and replace it this coming winter.

Mike

Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA

stu jackson c34's picture
stu jackson c34
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Posts: 1270

Mike,

Why not clean it up and spray it with Boeshield? It'll stop it from getting worse, rather than just "keeping an eye on it."

Stu

Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)

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dejavu
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Excellent idea, Stu, thanks.

Mike

Deja Vu
1991 MK I # 1106
Marina del Rey, CA

Tdecker
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Be aware that the replacement Seward hot water heaters have the engine inlet water lines on the same side as the fresh water lines necesitating a little rerouting of the plumbing.

I reversed the hot water tank placing the lines forward as the fresh water line and electrical were easier to move than the engine hoses. I had to make an inspection door next to the cabinet drawers to access the front of the tank on which I also installed a bypass for winterization.

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stu jackson c34
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Seaward makes them with connections on either side.

Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)

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