Seaward Heater Element Replacement

[sjhantzis]

Symptom: Hot water only warm.

Plan: Replace Seaward heater element and thermostat.

Question: Anyone replaced these parts before? It looks pretty straightforward but looks can be deceiving.

[Sea Wolf]

Hi! Are you sure you need to replace BOTH the heating element AND the thermostat?

Maybe just the thermostat?

Joe.

[sjhantzis]

Guess I could try the thermostat first since it's more accessible. Sounds like a good Plan B. thanks,

SJH

[journey on]

I just got through replacing the water heater element in Journey On. Following are some comments, you pick the ones which help.

1. Seaward used to be a small company in LA. Now it's part of Whale Products. I guess you don't get to be independent if you're good.

2. Here is the Seaward Water Heater Owners Manual. Helps to make sure that you know where everything is.

3. Replaced the 115 VAC heating element with a 220 VAC element. This lets the Honda 1000 generator heat water offshore. Not sure if we'll ever do this, but there you are.

4. Looked inside the tank, some corrosion after 10 years. They suggest an anode, but it replaces the safety valve. Prefer safety over anode.

5. When you have that sucker apart, replace both thermostat and heater element. It's cheap and a lot easier. Probably the thermostat, but if one failed, can't predict the other and you've got it apart. Defender is the best place to get parts.

5. Use Megaloc Thread Sealant or equivalent to make swure it doesn't leak.

6. Make sure you don't have a black polyethylene elbow on the outlet union. If so replace it.

7. Isotemp water heaters have an anti-scald valve built in. The Seaward thermostat is set too high and I'd like to add an anti-scald valve. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Boris

[sjhantzis]

Good thing it was only the thermostat because there was no way I was going to break loose the heating element without ripping the unit off its mounts. I had the correct socket and monkey bar and, believe me, that thing was stuck.