www.iFourWinns.com

Hello again
Ok, another question that got lost in translation from my Spanish delivery engineer !
I seem to have no hot water...what comes from all the hot taps is in fact cold.
I HAVE switched on the water heater breaker on shore power and waited 5 minutes or so .
Question is , how long should the water take to heat?
the manual says "The water heater used on 248/268 Vista model has a 6 gallon capacity. "
SO I assume it has to heat 6 gallons at a time, or is it somehow heated "on the fly"
I am talking specifically here on shore power , as have not tried the hot water out on the water with the engine running where it presumably would be heated by the heat exchanger

My days of having a need for cold showers are LONG gone

thanks as always

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

Do you have hot water in the galley? If not, your heating element and/or thermostat may need to be replaced. I replaced both on my 248, I got the parts online for about $20 (if I remember correctly). Worked like a champ afterwards. Make sure your water tank (water heater) is full and has a constant supply of water. The element will burn out quickly if it is dry.

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-Tony
2016 Robalo R200 w/Yahama 200!

Previous boats:
2003 Four Winns 248 Vista - sold
1994 Sunbird Corsair 200 - sold
1980 Checkmate Predictor - sold

No hot water anywhere, but how long should it take to heat after switching the heater on?

maybe I do indeed have a thermostat /heating element failure..
I want to get all of this done now as I have a one year total parts and labour warranty !

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

It's not a large tank. Shouldn't take long before you feel a difference between warm and cold.

30 minutes without question should be pretty darn warm.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

5 minutes may not be enough time to notice hot water, maybe only slightly warmer than the cold water. When we are using the Honda generator, it will take probably a half hour to heat the water electrically up to the temp that the thermostat shuts off the heating element. The electrical system will heat the water up to somewhere around 120-140 degrees F. The engine heat exchanger in the water heater will actually heat the water up hotter to maybe 160+. The OEM engine thermostat is 175 deg F. As hot water is used from the water heater, more cold water flows in under pressure and will cause the thermostat to turn the electric heating element on again (if plugged in and turned on). It may take a minute for hot water to flow thru the plumbing and get to the faucet (tap). Water flows from the fresh water tank through the water pressure pump and under pressure to the rest of the hot and cold fresh water system. Heating water by running the engine means that the water heater will warm up as the engine warms up (or shortly after). Read the owner's manual about maintaining an air space in the water heater tank. You need water in the water heater tank before the electric element is turned on so the element does not burn out, but you also want a small amount of air space in the water heater tank to reduce or prevent excessive venting from the pressure/temperature relief valve into the bilge. The manual (or the water heater manual) explains that without pressure you should be able to open the pressure relief valve on the water heater and possibly open the galley faucet as a vent so the water in the water heater is no higher that the pressure relief valve. When everything is quiet you may hear the water pump run until pressure is built up. The pump will run longer after the hot faucet is closed because of the airspace in the water heater. This is normal.

Electrical loads are approximately:
Water heater - 1200-1300 watts
Electric cooktop - 1100 watts
Microwave - 800 watts
Battery charger/refrigerator - approx 400-500 watts
Mr. Coffee small pot - 650 watts
Small 2 slice Toaster - 800-900 watts
Calculate amperage draw based on the formula "volts x amps = watts" or "watts divided by volts = amps".

You may need to look at how many (and which) appliances you are operating at a given time, especially if you are using a generator or inverter.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

The easy way to tell if its on! Look at the volt meter at the panel. At the same time does the meter jump when you turn the hot water on. If it does not, its not turning on.

Then break out your meter and are you getting 120v at the tank? If no you might have a bad breaker or connection. If yes you might have a bad aquastat or heating element.

(For Paul I) I'm not sure if Wakevortex's (Bill's) 248 has a voltmeter for the shorepower electrical system. My 2002 268 does not.

(For Bill) Is your boat's shorepower system set up for 110 Volt AC (typical for USA) or for 220 Volt AC (which may be more prevalent in Europe? While it is plugged in to the marina's shorepower you may not get an indication the it is drawing power for the water heater any more than you would notice in your home when you turn on an appliance. When I have my portable generator running to provide AC power I can hear the generator's motor when a significant load is added.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon

Surface interval..great info again.. I don't see any mention in my Vista manual about "without pressure you should be able to open the pressure relief valve on the water heater"
where is this pressure relief valve? is it bottom left on my picture?

re the water , i will give it a good 30 minutes and see what happens today on shore power.
You are correct- I have no voltmeter for the shore power electrical system (its 220 v by the way )

here is a picture of the water heater ..what is the downward pointing valve on presumably the hot outlet?

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

Top left red is hot outlet.
Middle left black is engine coolant water for the heat exchanger (not sure if inlet or outlet).
Lower left faucet knob is for draining the tank.
Top right red is vent (lift the leaver and water will flow into bilge).
Middle right blue is cold water inlet.
Lower right black is engine coolant water for the heat exchanger (not sure if inlet or outlet).

You can also do a quick flush of the tank by opening the drain and vent and running water into the vent tube.

As stated before, it will take a little time to heat using electricity.
I rarely turn the element on. Engine heat exchanger works great and I still have plenty of hot water the next morning.

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The Dance II
2007 278 Vista
6.2L Mercruiser

Perfect...lots of information I wasn't aware of...thanks !
Once I get using the boat regularly, Im sure I will be fine with engine heated water - just want to make sure everything is working in the initial stages, as Im covered by a warranty , and may as well get them to make it as prefect as it can be !

appreciated !

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjQgcSh0OPLAhWF2Q4KHTQXA5gQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnewcontent.westmarine.com%2Fcontent%2Fdocuments%2Fpdfs%2FOwnersManuals%2FPLUMBING%2F13915103%2BKuuma%2520Water%2520Heater%2520Manual.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHW6qRPdhuiQJ4PxQeug0B8wlM57A

A shortcut to the manual. It gives instructions on bleeding etc. That handle you asked about is for manual pressure relief valve/

Thats very useful..thanks Graham !

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

When my dealer did the winterization on my boat they reversed the check valve going into the water heater so they didn't fill it with antifreeze. I did the same thing until I installed a bypass valve. Make sure you've got water going into the heater as part of your troubleshooting.

My water heater seems to heat up quite quickly. Also there is a reset button on the water heater so make sure that is not tripped.

Just a few more hints for you.

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2008 Vista 278 Volvo Penta 8.1 Gi 375 hp
1999 Horizon 220 5.7 GSi

Thanks..will check that !

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Bill P
Marbella, Spain
Vista 248 Year 2000
25th Anniversary edition
Volvo Penta Engine and Outdrive

Oh, I did not know that. But for testing, you can use a hand held voltmeter. When I think about it, I would add one just to know if I have power or not.