My idea is similar to the Navy shower exercise. I want to use those pull handle shower heads where you have to pull the handle to get water. Let go and it shuts off."I have taken "Navy" showers when in the Navy. Get wet for 30 seconds then turn off the water, soap up, rinse off for 30 seconds."
With any type of tank water heater, the Navy shower may not be as much relaxation as the constant water pouring shower , but it works.
What is difficult to plumb and use is the instant on style of usually propane water heaters.These shut OFF when the water flow is reduced , so a batch of cold is part of the showering experience , unless you have Lots of water on board.
There are workarounds tho.
An important point to remember is that if the head height of your hot water outlet on the cylinder is below the height of your engine header tank you'll get thermal circulation.
You won't keep your hot water for long but your nice warm engine will start first time.. But sure you knew that anyway didn't you ?
I like both of those ideas."I want to use those pull handle shower heads where you have to pull the handle to get water. Let go and it shuts off."
UGH!
Usually when the water is flowing 2 hands get rid of soap quicker than one.
You could make the pull chain long enough to step on or ,
Shower with a Friend?
A lot of replies. Thanks. You all have giving me more to think about. We will be moving almost daily except for two to three day layovers in some areas we want to spend time in. In that case, we may be on shore power. I doubt we will be anchored out more than two days. I will have a genny, but haven't nailed down which exact model yet. Psneeld hit right on the unit I am considering 8-gallon Isotherm because of the low wattage requirements. I am hoping to get six 360 watt Mission solar panels on the boat. Others have mentioned insulation. I am planning to insulate the water heater with a blanket and also the water line to help keep heat in and condensation from forming on the PEX.
Ben: That should work but you may want to change out the pressure relief valve. Household units are rated for anywhere from 75-150psi and usually closer to 150psi. A marine water heater, Raritan as an example, pr valves are related to 75psi.
I’m impressed that the unit you’re looking at has an anode.
Each water use area has a button that turns on a circulation pump, drawing hot and returning what's in the line to the tank. The pump runs about 2 minutes. This way I don't dump fw down the drain to get hot water and the water returned has more warmth than using cold. It also saves watermaker running time.
"AO Smith but that single 1500 watt element would be hurting to warm 20 gallons of water, I believe."
Most HW electric elements mostly have identical screw in mounts so a higher amperage unit should be OTS.
You might have to install a 240v thermostat to handle the voltage/amperage.Still OTS
Here in FL with poor water, titanium elements cost a bit more but last far longer.
Diesel powered tankless water heater seems to be the ultimate. I've never owned one, used one, seen one, or even talked to someone who has. But it looks good on paper or the net. I'll take a closer look sometime. It's hiding with the unicorns for now.
https://www.butlertechnik.com/marin...5wsc-water-heater-diesel-12v-252219050000-p23
After hiking and pouring cold mountain spring water over my head to bath, a bilge pump over the side while standing on the back deck would be luxury.
After hiking and pouring cold mountain spring water over my head to bath, a bilge pump over the side while standing on the back deck would be luxury.
Ever bathed in "pure glacier water" like in the advertisements? I did when backpacking through Alaska years ago. Well this here gringo showed up ready to enjoy a heavenly wash and was surprised to see that glacial runoff is horribly muddy, sandy, nasty and cold! Thank god I brought my little hand pump purifier. Yep we were a bunch of dumb 22 year old kids
I think we could start a new thread on this....
Has anyone fitted a large domestic water heater to your trawler, like 30-50 gallons? It would seem that once fully heated, and heavily insulated, you could go an entire week before running the engine or genset.