Hello all, I have just started spending some in the water time with my Flashcat 30 NSU. Come to find out that there dosen’t seem to be a water heater on the boat other than what heat is generated by running the engine. After researching my owners manual it says that an electric water heater was an option.
My question is, how common is this issue and what have others done to remedy it? I’m posting some images from the manual along with my DC & AC electric panels showing the empty breaker on the AC panel where the manual says the optional water heater switch would have gone. Also, there is a “HEATER” breaker on the DC panel, what is this for? The propane space heater? If so, what is it doing? Why does a propane space heater need DC?
The manual doesn’t say.
I am in the process of putting a new Isotemp hot water heater in my NS30U. The water heater works off heat from the engine coolant. Also, the heater has a 750W AC heating element in it as an alternative heat source.
I have not completed the installation yet but expect to be done in a couple of weeks. I am waiting on the boatyard to fabricate a platform for the water heater before I make the final coolant and potable water connections. I will post some photos when I am done.
I do not anticipate running a single phase AC circuit to the water heater will be difficult based on the AC distribution panel location. My AC panel has a spare slot for another breaker like yours does.. I have not investigated yet if there is a standard marine breaker, ie BlueSea, etc. that will fit in my existing AC panel. The AC panel was made by Bass Products (Nova) which I do not think is in business anymore.
My assumption is that the DC breaker with the heater label on it is associated with the propane space heater. Maybe for a fan, ignitor and/or sensor. The heater has a thermostat associated with it to control its operation. This thermostat must get power from somewhere. I plan on taking a closer look at the circuit next week.
FYI, I have been working on my boat this year at a boatworks near Raritan Bay, NJ. I p[an on moving it to Jamestown, RI in late July/early August where we have a mooring. Hopefully, my wife and I will have a chance to meet you in person sometime later in the summer given your home harbor.
I hope the above info helps. Please let me know if you have any questions concerning my hot water tank replacement project.
Dan,
Soave has a HW tank that has an AC electric element that is wired to the #6 slot on my AC panel. My tank also has a coil inside that heats when my engine is running.
We haven’t found much use for HW yet because it’s out first year and we’re staying close to our club for now until we proof out all our various boat gizmos. ( mostly engine stuff ). The showers at our club are good for now… and washing dishes doesn’t use much HW. I can host pictures of the install if it would be helpful. Let me know and I can snap a couple shots.
Does your boat have a on-demand Paloma propane water heater in the galley?
Or does it have a hot water tank located elsewhere?
If a separate hot water tank, what brand and model. Perhaps a photo of it would help. Its possible that the PO only installed the hot water tank to be heated by the engine, and didn’t install the 110VAC wiring because they were always on a mooring. Of maybe the hot water tank doesn’t have the 110VAC feature.
Do you also have a separate propane heater that heat the cabin interior? If so, where is it located, brand/model?
My boat had a Paloma heater, but was removed by PO, and replaced by a Isotemp hot water tank. The water can either be heated by the engine coolant, or by 110VAC shore power when docked. I have a seperate110VAC 15 amp breaker on the 110VAC breaker panel for the tank.
I also have a Espar cabin heater, but it runs on diesel, not propane. This has a separate switch and thermostat, with its own 12VDC breaker. It is not wired through the 12VDC panel.
Hi Rob, thanks for the response, please do post some photos when you have time. My last boat had the electric and engine produced hot water, I miss it.
Thanks,
Dan
I suppose the “Heater” on your 12vdc panel is for the propane heater, probably for the fan, if it has one.
Your hot water tank is a Isotemp similar to the one I have, but looks older. I wonder what is under the large round cap at the end of the tank, in between the fresh water connections? On my tank this is where the 110VAC wires are connected from the 110VAC breaker panel. They used a Bluesea 7208 15 amp breaker. Mine has a plastic cover on the tank that goes over the 110VAC wires. See photos.
It also looks like there is a label on the end of the tank? Perhaps has Isotemp model number, and you can Google it to find out more details on your specific tank model.
As I said before, perhaps the PO only had the boat on a mooring and didn’t bother to install the 110VAC breaker and run the wire to the tank that he’d not be able to use. Or maybe this older Isotemp model was only designed to run off the engine coolant.
I suppose the “Heater” on your 12vdc panel is for the propane heater, probably for the fan, if it has one.
Your hot water tank is a Isotemp similar to the one I have, but looks older. I wonder what is under the large round cap at the end of the tank, in between the fresh water connections? On my tank this is where the 110VAC wires are connected from the 110VAC breaker panel. They used a Bluesea 7208 15 amp breaker. Mine has a plastic cover on the tank that goes over the 110VAC wires. See photos.
It also looks like there is a label on the end of the tank? Perhaps has Isotemp model number, and you can Google it to find out more details on your specific tank model.
As I said before, perhaps the PO only had the boat on a mooring and didn’t bother to install the 110VAC breaker and run the wire to the tank that he’d not be able to use. Or maybe this older Isotemp model was only designed to run off the engine coolant.
It’s interesting that you have a heat exchanger for the engine water but no electrical ability to heat the water. Have you looked at the hot water heater to see if there are wires to it? My Nonsuch NS30U came with a hot water heater that didn’t work electrically because the thermostat and overtime cut out were both bad. I replaced the thermostat and then the overtemp started tripping out. Replaced those and it worked fine for two years before it started leaking. (Parts were inexpensive and Defender had them) The date on the tank was 5/10/2001. I replaced it with a Whale F700 which was a direct replacement except was about 1" shorter than than the old one
Perhaps the thing to do is to plug it into a heavy extension cord first, just to see if it works. Then if it does, run a proper electrical circuit and add the circuit breaker. You were going to do that, anyway, if you added a new water heater, right? Then if this old one dies, it will be an easier project to replace it with a new one.
Dan,
Firstly, from your earlier photos, the fresh water is not even connected to the tank. I hope you noticed that.
I’m guessing that the PO might have the other end of the extension cord stash in a locker nearby one of the 110VAC outlets in the aft area of the cabin. And he simply plugged it into the outlet when connected to shore power. Or possibly to a inverter if there is one. But l doubt these are acceptable methods. Not to mention fire risks if the extension cord is not heavy duty enough for the AC current.
You can connect it properly with $10 of marine grade wire and $20 for 15 amp breaker.
After looking again it does have an electric cord going to it, can’t find the other end. Thinking the previous owner may have spliced the power end into something, no idea what. It never was connected to the proper breaker on the AC panel. There is no hot water after running the engine ether.
I suppose the “Heater” on your 12vdc panel is for the propane heater, probably for the fan, if it has one.
Your hot water tank is a Isotemp similar to the one I have, but looks older. I wonder what is under the large round cap at the end of the tank, in between the fresh water connections? On my tank this is where the 110VAC wires are connected from the 110VAC breaker panel. They used a Bluesea 7208 15 amp breaker. Mine has a plastic cover on the tank that goes over the 110VAC wires. See photos.
It also looks like there is a label on the end of the tank? Perhaps has Isotemp model number, and you can Google it to find out more details on your specific tank model.
As I said before, perhaps the PO only had the boat on a mooring and didn’t bother to install the 110VAC breaker and run the wire to the tank that he’d not be able to use. Or maybe this older Isotemp model was only designed to run off the engine coolant.
