Water Heater Elimination.

micktu

My electric water heater hasn't worked in years. I disconnected power to it back then until I had time to look into it. This has not been much of a concern because we still get plenty of hot water after running the engine. The old heater started leaking rusty water last year. Has anyone done, or heard of looping the hoses in order to eliminate the water heater, but still get hot water from the engine? Would this work?

Cableguy Greg

Look, a fellow Pittsburgh boater!!! Where do you boat at?

Unfortunately no. You still need the tank to heat the water.

LaRea

No, I don't think it works that way.  My understanding is that the system circulates heated seawater or coolant from the engine into a heat exchanger that is inside the water heater.  You can't pump cold fresh water into the engine and get hot fresh water out.  

See the picture below.  The electric heating element is in the center, and the heat exchanger runs along the outside.

I think you are stuck spending $300 for a water heater.

http://stevedmarineconsulting.com/water-heater-primer/ 

Handymans342

Cableguy Greg said:

Look, a fellow Pittsburgh boater!!! Where do you boat at?

Unfortunately no. You still need the tank to heat the water.

He boats where the Penguins are boating now. LOL

Cableguy Greg

Handymans342 said:

Cableguy Greg said:

Look, a fellow Pittsburgh boater!!! Where do you boat at?

Unfortunately no. You still need the tank to heat the water.

He boats where the Penguins are boating now. LOL

The Pens can't win it every year.

micktu

No, but what a run.

micktu

Thanks for the reply.

micktu

Thank you all. 

Handymans342

Cableguy Greg said:

Handymans342 said:

Cableguy Greg said:

Look, a fellow Pittsburgh boater!!! Where do you boat at?

Unfortunately no. You still need the tank to heat the water.

He boats where the Penguins are boating now. LOL

The Pens can't win it every year.

No, but they did against the Caps. 
@micktu, just install a new heater. Its nice to have when you need it.