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I have a 2006 3200 Open equipped with a hot water heater and I'm trying to figure out how to properly operate it.
I see that I have two bypass valves and also a hose running from a valve on my port engine.
My question is: how do I use this thing without burning up a heater element? Should the engine valve be normally opened or closed?
When would I bypass the heater using the two valves?
Tiara manual shows no operational reference and neither does the Seaward owners manual.
Thanks for any help.
Walker
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Home Port: Stuart, FL
Vessel Info: 1988 36' Convertible with new 8.1 Crusaders.
Exceptional condition, inside, outside, bilges and engines.
05-16-2015, 07:10 AM
(This post was last modified: 05-16-2015, 07:13 AM by Uhehner.)
Your water heater has two sections, the domestic section with fresh water from your water tank and the antifreeze heat exchanger section connected to your engine. The electric heater element is submerged in the domestic water side only.
If the water heater is not leaking, the valves would be open to have hot engine antifreeze circulate through the tanks heat exchanger and heat the domestic water without using electric. You would only need to use electric heat if the engines and the domestic water were cold. Should the water heater fail for what ever reason, you would close the valves so as to isolate it and not lose engine coolant. Never operate the electric without having the domestic water section full or you will burn out the heater element. Capt. George
Posts: 494
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Home Port: Stuart, FL
Vessel Info: 1988 36' Convertible with new 8.1 Crusaders.
Exceptional condition, inside, outside, bilges and engines.
Just leave the valves open unless you have a leak. That way you get a tank of free hot water underway. When back at the dock after a run you will be ready to shower. When you run out of hot water turn on the electric breaker. Your tank is probably only about 5 gallons so you will run out quite fast. Capt. George
