Marine survey done on my to-be purchase Nonsuch 30 classic today. Everything was fine except the Paloma hot water heater.
The surveyor said the pilot light and the vent system (it is NOT sealed to the ceiling; exchaust can get back in) will not be acceptable for any insurance company. I agree to decommission it (remove it) for insurance purpose. I am from Toronto, Canada.
However, what do I replace it with? I can replace it with EXCEL Hot water heater as there is NO pilot light but how about the vent system? Can this vent be SEALED to the deck? I mean we have to make sure NO exhaust can get back to the boat.
I also think about getting a heat exchanger to get the heat from the diesel engine. Problem is my engine is westerbeke 20 1983, original built! I am not even sure if this diesel engine can hooked up with a heat exchanger. Anybody has this set up out there?
Shirley: Are you sure about that model number? I only know of W-13, 18, 21, 27 & 33s. If it’s a W-27, it can definitely run an engine/electric water heater as I did my own conversion 23 years ago. Attached is a photo of the installation
beneath the cockpit & the Westerbeke bulletins.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
[details="(attachments)"]
[W-27 Bulletin 114 Hot Water Htr pg1.pdf|attachment](upload://6oVmUeRDG7WvA1rllelHEy7PdUN.pdf) (724 KB)
[W-27 Bulletin 114 Hot Water Htr pg2.pdf|attachment](upload://92S6es2ilInWRAIzxBnBfY0PtAM.pdf) (453 KB)
[/details]
I installed an excel heater when the Paloma needed parts that were unavailable. I used the old stack to vent out and love the unit. Was an easy swap out . Faster response time to heat up water too. I agree with Alan Steward , remove the ignition battery when laid up , the contacts corrode. Best, Gary / Aloki/ Oyster Bay
I did the same as Gary on Aloki. Removed the Paloma, installed a low pressure (begins heating with only 2 PSI of water pressure), no pilot light, model. It is tagged as ventless, but I didn’t want all that moist heat coming into the salon, so as Gary did, I modified (slightly) the old vent hood, sealed the seams with high temperature water-heater tape (home depot) and it has been great! I also re-worked the entire propane system at the same time so it meets today’s current regulations.
If you search this discussion group, there should be a a write-up with photos from perhaps 3 years ago(?)…
Peter Grabow
S/V CAKE WALK III
1987 30U 430
Stamford, CT
Thanks for your email ! I am debating if I should have the Excel model of NO pilot light VENTLESS propane fired unit versus a calorifier (getting heat from the diesel engine).
I have a Westerbeke 27 1983 diesel engine and I still to figure out how to connect to calorifier (I need to pay somebody to do it … still unsure of the cost …)
Buying a new boats certainly expands my list to do things : )
Last winter, I also did the swap from my beloved and hated Paloma to an Excel in Hobbes II.
While I appreciate the much more efficient electronic ignition, I am more than disappointed at how it performs compared to the Paloma.
The Paloma mechanically regulated the inflow of water to achieve less flow but higher temperature. The Excel does not do that and consequently, even when both the settings are set to maximum water temperature, the result is tepid water in our northern California coastal marine climate where the incoming water temperature is regularly in the low 50s.
I’m not sure if I have a defective unit or that’s just the way it is. Would appreciate comments from other owners.