Continuous Hot Water Heater

ArgleBargle · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008

Hi

Longshot, i am sure, but has anyone installed/used a continuous diesel hot water heater and have any comments regarding it?

the one I was looking at as a replacemet for an isotherm was the ITR "WaterHeater" that quotes 5.4 A of 12 V current draw, 0.34 Ga diesel/min for 64 deg/52 deg temp rise at 1/1.5 gpm. also has electric element for shore power.

any help appreciated.

cheers

ArgleBargle · #2 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008

PS: I have identified & reviewed the prior posts largely regarding non marine and/or propane powered tankless heaters. looking for any one with personal experience with diesel powered continuous/tankless heaters.

thanks!

JohnRPollard · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArgleBargle

... the ITR "WaterHeater" that quotes 5.4 A of 12 V current draw, 0.34 Ga diesel/min for 64 deg/52 deg temp rise at 1/1.5 gpm...

That seems like pretty high fuel consumption -- 0.34 gal/min. Is that figure correct? Or am I misinterpreting it?

ArgleBargle · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008

sorry, yes, that should be gallons per hour obviously. typos r us. also , should read deg F

captbillc · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008

in 1983 on the sheila yeates ( 50 ft on deck topsail ketch ) we wanted a shower we could use in the cockpit that would not use up our fresh water. i took a cummins diesel oil cooler steam cleaned it & made plates for each end that i could hook hoses to. it already had connections in the sides. i put a tee with a ball valve on the side & installed this in the line between the water cooled exhaust manifold & the muffler so i could divert half of the water to the tubes in the oil cooler. the water went through the tubes & out a hose to the cockpit via the bilges & cockpit locker. i connected a hose to the engine side of the thermostat housing through a ball valve to a hose to the side connection on the oil cooler

captbillc · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008

i was not done typing my post when it was posted. the water entered the side of the oil cooler over the outside of the tubes & out the other side. another hose connected it to another ball valve that was connected to the other side of the thermostat. to get warm water to the cockpit i opened the 2 ball valves at the thermostat & the ball valve at the exhaust manifold. the hot antifreeze from the engine heated the sea water flowing through the tubes to the hose to the cockpit . we had an unlimited amount of water to shower. we laid a big tarp down in the big cockpit and had a hot tub !

SteveInMD · #7 (**permalink**) 10-21-2008

What the power draw on shore power? Continuous heaters can draw a lot of amps. Make sure your shore power system can handle that plus other loads you may have.