Proud owner of a new Hat (new to me!) Have a few questions

[Hat43c1981]

I wanted to first say thanks to the moderators for accepting my request to be a member of the forum. I look forward to learning more about our boat from you all. 1981 Hatteras 43c w/ DD 6V92’sFew tech questions. * Need help with light switches and what all they turn off and on. She has almost as many residential light switches as my house! Is there a diagram in the owners manual?* The water heater does not turn on/pull any amperage. I am guessing the element is bad. Not much identification on the unit and it appears to be the original unit. I have attached a picture of the only identifiers I can locate on the unit. Would you replace the entire unit with a new unit? If so what would you suggest I install? Or would you suggest replacing the element? If so where would I purchase an element from for these older units? Thanks in advance for any help you all can provide! Take care and stay safe!

 

[SEVEN]

Glad to have you a part of the Hatteras family. Enjoy you girl.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Thanks SEVEN! Thankful to be a part of the family!

 

[SEVEN]

I don’t know your boat very well but a friend replaced their hot water heater. Theirs is a 1980 so it might be the same. The hot water heater is a square box in front of the starboard motor. They replaced it with a matching one they bought from west Marine. I’d shop around and get the best price.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Thanks SEVEN. Our water heater is the round type that lays horizontal to the side of the port engine.

 

[madhatter1]

Look around every cavity on the boat and see if the original drawings are onboard. If not maybe obtainable from SAMS. If needed I can take pictures of my drawings from my 82 46C which is similar and email to you. Might not be exact but will be close. Especially the generic 120VAC and 12 VDC drawings. Been meaning to scan them to PDF but have not. Others here will probably also have something to send.

The drawings are PRICELESS!!!!!

 

[Boatsb]

Call hatteras with your hull number. They should d be able to sell you a new package.

Mine was $75.

 

[oscarvan]

Welcome. Still boatless, but it will be a Hatt. Soon.

I assume you put a multimeter on the wiring at the water heater and verified there's juice there? If so elements should be available and affordable. Someone may have turned it on without water in it. It only takes a few seconds for it to go poof. Ask me how I know.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Look around every cavity on the boat and see if the original drawings are onboard. If not maybe obtainable from SAMS. If needed I can take pictures of my drawings from my 82 46C which is similar and email to you. Might not be exact but will be close. Especially the generic 120VAC and 12 VDC drawings. Been meaning to scan them to PDF but have not. Others here will probably also have something to send.The drawings are PRICELESS!!!!!

Madhatter that would be a huge help if you could email those drawings. Even if they aren’t exactly like my 43c it would be a great starting point. I’ll send you my email. Thanks in advance!

 

[jim rosenthal]

Those water heaters are no longer made, I think. I suggest you look at Defender Marine and get an Isotemp; the are supplied in similar shapes to the one you have. Most of them have provision for a coolant loop through the heater tank which allows your generator set or one of your main engines to heat water while you are underway. Very useful feature.

If you decide to get one of the square box ones, also look at Seaward; I have had one for decades and it is still working fine, rather surprising as it was not very expensive to begin with.

You could also take the heating element out and see if you can match it up at a marine store. West Marine is unlikely to have anything. But the heating element may be a generic one that you can match up through Grainger or McMaster-Carr. If that fixes the problem you have at least temporary hot water whilst you decide what to do.

Welcome to the nuthouse, we're all crazy around here. But there's a lot of useful information mixed in with all the craziness.

 

[Hat43c1981]

Thanks for the info Jim Rosenthal. I will be spending sometime today researching water heater options. Take care!

 

[madhatter1]

I killed my square SS water heater in my 34 but it didn't go down easy. Put up a hell of a fight. Seriously after a lot of abuse (ran out of water) I bet I could throw a new element in there and be good. But the way the boat is used the heat from the engine loop gives hot water whenever we want.

I reccoment replacing the water heater, putting in something to sanitize tanks, and then use onboard tanks as much as possible to keep it all fresh. We only use onboard water for cleaning and showers, bottled for drinking and cooking.

 

[Briankinley2004]

My boat has a round water heater. You can take an ohm meter and see if element is good. If it has continuity it most likely is. As stated above also check voltage at the element. If it has a thermostat that could be bad if element is not getting power. I replaced the element on my original 1985 water heater and its been going for 2 years. I personally would do that over replacing mine as you have to remove the CO2 cylinder for the fire suppression on mine to get it out

 

[wpc691]

Welcome aboard!

 

[krush]

Water heating elements are fairly generic. Most use the same fitting size. Get it out and match wattage and voltage

 

[sunset grill]

Welcome Aboard, I just purchased a new Kuma 11 gal. aluminum. The old Atwood lasted over 30 years. If my tank wasn't leaking, I would have just put in an element. Seward makes a stainless model that probably would last longer for a couple hundred more. Good Luck,Steve

 

[Dazed338]

Thanks SEVEN. Our water heater is the round type that lays horizontal to the side of the port engine.

Altho a bit older my 31C the manual says it came with a Coates M-6 that appears to have been a round unit on it's side, Holding tank is there now. At some point a PO had a round stand up unit further back. I'm weighing options as to what new ones might fit where, main plan is with a heat exchanger. I'm sure I have less space to work with, I'll be making mock up boxes to play with getting one in and placement.

 

[Dazed338]

Thanks for the info Jim Rosenthal. I will be spending sometime today researching water heater options. Take care!

That is a task in itself they say bigger is better, but making it fit a bit trickier. Only have a 31C it's all I really need, finding stuff that fit's can be fun.