Interesting - Water Heater Parts

[Ralph Masters]

The day I found the source of the water leak in my boat, the current issue of the Catalina magazine shows up with an article with the part numbers for that fix.
On a different note, spent last week, Thanksgiving week, in San Francisco and we had some of the best weather I have ever seen up there.  Thanks for arranging that Stu.

Ralph

[added to title - Stu]

[David Comando]

Can you expand on the leak you found and how you repaired it? I am a bit behind on my reading of "Mainsheet", although I did peruse the photos. (Great photo Stu!). When I retire, I'll enjoy the time to read cover to cover of Mainsheet, Cruising World, Sail, etc.

[Ralph Masters]

The hot water heater pressure relief.  Took a lot, and I do mean a lot of looking to figure it out.

[Ron Hill]

Ralph : Something told me you were having problems!!   

Seriously, if you look at the newer hot water heater pictures they show a hose from the outlet of the pressure relief valve curving down past the bottom of the hot water heater body.  I found that if you take some paper towel and roll it up and stick it into the end of that hose it'll let you know (when wet) that the PRV is leaking.

A thought

[scotty]

So is that where the new magnesium anode goes?  If so, is there still a relief valve function? 
Thanks, and Merry Christmas!   

[Stu Jackson]

So is that where the new magnesium anode goes?  If so, is there still a relief valve function? 

The anode goes where the drain valve - upper right - is.  The PRV (pressure relief valve) stays where it is, upper left side.

[Ralph Masters]

Stu,
I do have the fitting in the outlet of the PRV and a short hose going down to the bilge, but that was always dry.  The water dripping out was dripping directly from the stem where the manual handle is attached, the PRV is not turned so the outlet points straight down so water leaking by would sit in the valve body and drip from that stem.  I checked that hose daily.  When I replace that PRV I will tighten it enough so the outlet points down.  It's always something.

Thanks,

Ralph

[Ron Hill]

Scotty : The anode goes in the drain which is the lower left with the butterfly knob. 

[Stu Jackson]

Ron's right, sorry.  Here's a picture of the old & new ones.

[Ron Hill]

Guys : Sorry, I forgot that the old heaters (80s/90s) had a butterfly knob and the new heaters have a knurled drain knob !!

[Ken Juul]

From Ron's comment I guess that means I'm about to replace the water heater for the 3rd time.  The one I took out in 2001/2 had the knurled knob so it was probably the first replacement.  I got 10 years or so out of the one I put in, now it's time for the fourth.  My boat was a 1990 fall build.  33 years, 3 water heaters averages out to 11 years between replacements.  Add it to your expected maintenance list.

[lazybone]

Ron's right, sorry.  Here's a picture of the old & new ones.

Wow, that thing looks like you got it off the bottom of the ocean

[Roc]

Ken, that's 23 years......

[patrice]

Hi,

Me too, was looking at the pictures, and my comment was, this is a nice drain valve.  It must empty pretty quickly compared to my knurled knob with 1/8 hole.
I'm afraid I'll end up replacing it soon after reading your story guys.

[Stu Jackson]

Ron's right, sorry.  Here's a picture of the old & new ones.

Wow, that thing looks like you got it off the bottom of the ocean

That's only because I got it from the bottom of the under the galley sink area!  Note that I painted the bottom corners of the new one - with Rustoleum paint.