Propane water heater?

[kanzkan]

I just purchased a boat that had the AC/heat exchanger water heater removed. Any advice or thoughts on propane fired heaters versus the aforementioned conventional style?

[GordMay]

By “conventional”, expect you mean engine heat exchanger & electric immersion element?
ie: http://www.raritaneng.com/products/w...ers/index.html
http://www.raritaneng.com/pdf_files/...eaterv0502.pdf

Other options include:
• Diesel Fired
• Tankless “Instant” Water Heaters (Propane or Electric - perhaps diesel?)
• Solar
• Combination Hydronic Space Heater & D.H.W. Heater
http://www.espar.com/pdfs/marine.pdf
http://www.boatelectric.com/Water%20...0exchanger.pdf

[Wahoo Sails]

Used to live "off the grid" in Waipio Valley, Hawaii, and we had a propane "instant water heater" called a "Paloma" ... I always marvelled at the thing because it worked so well. It would take some serious study from the safety aspect as to where to mount it on a boat ... but I can vouch for the fact that they are extremely effecient units.

L S/V Eva Luna
Bob

[Talbot]

I have a propane fired water heater. (Rinnai )
This works very well, and is OK for a shower. One slight drawback is that instantaneous heat is only available provided you keep the pilot light burning, but ignition is very simple (just push a button). I use 3/8" copper pipe to run hot water to other side of my cat, (was originally 3/4 plastic pipe) and that reduces wasteage of cold water.

Gas installation laws in UK have recently made installation of these much more difficult, but that beats blowing up

[Vasco]

Seem to remember Walther sp? or Paloma stopped supplying these to boats 10 years or so ago due to either CO poisoning or lack of oxygen in a confined space (head) due to combustion . A couple of deaths. Anyone remember this?I recall the Palomas were installed in the early Nonsuch sailboats.

[Talbot]

Not a problem if you fit a proper balanced flue. I had a paloma, and they are inferior to the Rinnai which is definitely still available cause I bought one earlier this year to replace my old paloma.

[Alan Wheeler]

There are many dedicated Marine califonts available out their. Most of the Marine ones will have specialised features, but ofcourse you do need to check what features any particular make and model come with. But if you look for a good one, you should easily be able to get battery/on demand ignition of the flame. This means no pilot flame. You should be able to get flame out protection, that protects the unit in situations of failed water flow, flame failure, Co2 build up. If you don't have C02 sensing, just ensure a place with good ventialtion or a flue. As the production of a good quantity of heat and water is a product of the burning of gas, a flue is a best choice. Mine vents at presetn, directly into the Pilot house. It has a good supply of air, so htat is no problem, but the windows fog up on a cold morning if someone has a shower while I am att eh helm and makes it difficult to see. A Flue is on the list.