Water heater, Raritan vs. Force 10

[jackytdunaway]

What is the deal? the Raritan is twice the price. Is it worth it? My old Raritan is leaking thru the pressure relief valve. I may be able to fix it but was looking anyway and Wow what a price difference. My old one heats fine with 120-v but when i run the engine it doesn't heat like it used to. Any ideas. Could the exchanger lines be clogged?

[PBzeer]

With the Force 10 (when I looked in to getting one) you have to add a galvanic isolator, or your warranty will be voided. Not the case with the Raritan. That's part of the price difference.

Your lines, or more likely, the tubes inside the w/h can get clogged and reduce the heating capacity. Have you checked to see how hot your exhaust is? When I did mine, I realized the water was getting as hot as it could, because the exhaust wasn't that hot in the first place.

[jackytdunaway]

i didn't realize the galvanic insolator thing. That leaves something to think about. As far as the exhaust temp goes it always got real hot before. Tomorrow i am going to drain some water out and check the valve and also look at the exhaust temp.

[teshannon]

I just replaced the Raritan on my boat and I know it was very old. No leaks yet but the element was shot and I couldn't get a replacement. Went with a Raritan again just because of the life I got out of the last one.

[negrini]

Good chances are your lines are clogged. After years of service, mine created some "mud like" deposit inside heater coil, and reduced significantly the heating capacity. Another point, check for you engine thermostatic valve, as your heater might be installed on trapped cold circuit, but this is the last thing to do, as you'd probably had noticed engine operating hotter than usual ...

[jackytdunaway]

What do you flush the lines with? and do you do it at the heater or back at the engine? All advice is appreciated

[svsirius]

I would either get the Raritan or look at a Superstore. It's about the same money and I think a better heater. Superstore keeps water hotter longer if that is important to you. Fixing the pressure release valve is no big deal so if that's all that's wrong easy fix however if heater is leaking or shot then replacement is worth it.

[SantaAna12]

On my Cal the 6 gallon Raritan that came with the boat lasted 22 years. I went and bought another one, decided to go cruising, never installed it (sitting in storage). My guess is that other Raritan owners will speak to its longevity.

Both good product lines though.

Good luck!

[negrini]

I removed my heater out of the boat, flushed with clean current fresh water from a garden hose, and left it going until I didn't see any debris and clear color. Also, I apply little initial pressure, and increased it as the flux became higher. I was advised then to flush it hot water, then vinegar, etc ... But I decided to use raw water. I'd never try to flush the engine unless I knew exactly what I was doing. I remember once the rubber membrane separating sea water from cooling water (in the heat exchanger), simply mixed seawater with cooling water. That requeired a full flushing, including the heater. I used the boat for 3 months before I realised something was wrong (engine not heating up properly). Before installing, refill the heater coil with radiator fluid, and run engine a couple of times until you're sure there is no air inside the circuit. The most important ingredient was ...patience.

[jackytdunaway]

I hope the pressure valve and flushing does it. i measured the lazzerette opening and it is 13.5" s. the 14" heater.