water heater for C 22 cruiser

Edward Thieme · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:54 pm Post subject: Water heater

I have a C-25, but this will work on the 22, and changed the water heater since who needs 6 gals. I bought a GE point of use 2.5g tank heater, looks like a very small home unit.
The unit had a 1500w heating element which is to much for the small Honda generator and I couldn't find a 120v heating element less than 1000w.
I found a 2000w 240v heating element that was mechanically the right size to install in the small GE tank. Through the wonders of Ohms Law and P=EI that 2000w 240v heater becomes a 500w heater at 120v! Isn't science wonderful.
I set the temp setting to the max I could stand so I only turn on the hot water valve for the shower and don't waste water getting the temp right. It takes about 25min. running the generator to heat the water and I mounted a pilot light by the AC panel which turns off when the water is up to temp.

Ed on "Rambler" at Georgetown, SC now

RVP · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:15 am Post subject:

I have installed tankless on demand gas heaters never installed electric heaters onput is 4 gallons per min.max. temp 120 degrees they do require mainteance. backflush yearly,device for backflush not included, device for two units is also extra,you must balance the 2 units. cost for all of this approx. $2,200. I have been in the plumbing buss. for 25 years.

kennharriet · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:48 pm Post subject:

We have been using a propane, demand hot water heater for the past couple years in our horse trailer. It is really nice to be able to take a shower after a few days in the woods. I bought the unit at Camper World for about $100. In the horse trailer, we just scoop a bucket of water out of the creek for water supply. This unit has a pressure switch built into the heater, so the heater shuts off when you close the water valve on the shower head. Although I have not tried it yet in our CD-22', I plan to set it up in the cockpit. I rigged up a 12v Shurflo pump to the demand heater, which is fueled by a 20 lb. propane tank. In fresh water, just throw the suction hose over the stern for an endless water supply. If salt water, shower with salt water, then throw the strainer in a bucket of fresh water from the CD tank to rinse. I use an inexpensive lawn sprinkler with the small holes for a suction strainer. At a marina, I am sure we would probably use the commercial facility, but only if it beats our system.

boaterbob · Posted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 11:57 pm Post subject:

I also wanted hot water for washing dishes and showers so I bought the isotemp 4.2 gal electric water heater. Only 750 watts so it runs off of my yamaha 1000 watt gen or of course shore power. I just camped for a week at lake mead and it worked great. I have put hot/cold hand held shower in the cockpit and I have privacy curtain for my camper canvas so it is a bigger shower than I have at home. This water heater is extremly well insulated so when I leave a slip in the morning to go fishing I still have hot water at lunch time to wash up! See pics in my album.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:14 am Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:22 pm Post subject:

good job! Did you find a unit without the engine heat exchanger? Where was the best price? From what I could about $600 plus S & H.

boaterbob · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:56 pm Post subject:

thanks, it was a bit of work but worth it. I bought the water heater from west marine, it does come with heat exchanger hookup but did not use them with the outboard of course. Not to many choices with 750 watt/ 120 volt elements, and the flat shape helped in mounting.