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Post by timpeacockuk on Sept 17, 2021 15:35:13 GMT
Hi all, Just got down to the boat after a few months away. As soon as I switch on the water heater it blows the 240v at the dock services post. Switch off water heater and reset and everything else seems ok. We have been travelling for 48 hours so I’m too tired to start fiddling with it now, but my first thought is that the immersion heater element may have expired. I’m not an electrician, but reasonably competent with DIY fixes. Can anyone suggest what to look for first - whilst I sleep on it - after a cold shower first of course. Many thanks in anticipation Tim Peacock Jeanneau 42DS
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Post by Charlie-Bravo on Sept 17, 2021 16:10:29 GMT
Unplug the shore power first, then access the tank and take the cover off the heating element it's usually held on by one nut or screw, disconnect the wires ( noting where they go) and meter between the poles where the wires attached, if there is no resistance ( ohms ) as in the meter reads the same as when touching the meter leads together, then you have found your short circuit. Other things to check if the heating element meters ok, there will probably be a thermostat to turn the heater off when the water is hot, these don't usually short circuit ...... but could I guess. Your deduction of the element expiring is probably correct, they don't last forever, worth popping to the plumbing spanner shop/ screwfix for the correct size spanner as they can be resistant to removal, and a good plumbers shop might just have a nice short element to replace the dead one with. Good luck Enjoy the refreshing shower.
CB
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Post by sitara on Sept 17, 2021 21:44:59 GMT
I just found in the Quick water heater manual that I should have been removing and checking the heater anode every year. Anyone do this? After nine years maybe I should get a new anode and check the old one.
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Post by NZL50505 on Sept 18, 2021 0:01:04 GMT
Meanwhile you can hopefully still get a hot shower by running the engine for 20 mins?
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Post by timpeacockuk on Sept 18, 2021 15:09:07 GMT
What a nightmare that was! I had to take the whole tank out to be able to get to the top of the heater element to test it. That involved disconnecting most of the pipes, although I was able to leave the engine hoses connected, with just about enough slack to balance the tank on the top of the seat to work on it. The resistance test on the element was not conclusive; there was still a reading across the terminals, but by testing everything else, including plugging in a toaster to the dedicated water heater socket I am sure that it is the element that it on its way out and therefore causing the problem. By the time I had struggled and sweated to get the tank out the chandlery was closed for the weekend, so it will remain balanced on the seat for a while until I can get a replacement. I managed to cap off all the pipes with some old service valves that were knocking about in the spares locker, so at least the water is back on, or the Admiral would have made me put it all back together until I can get the parts! Thanks for the advice. Gave me confidence to get stuck in and knock the skin off my knuckles! Tim Peacock PS I have the Quick B3 40 which does not have an anode. I think that it is only one range of Quick heaters that have them. At least that is one thing less to worry about!
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Post by Mistroma on Sept 18, 2021 19:20:30 GMT
Exactly the same problem on our 42DS several years ago. I was able to remove the element with the tank in place. There's enough room to remove the thermostat to give access to the element. The thermostat just pushes into the top of the element and there's also a connecting earth wire. Resistance checks didn't prove anything but a new element solved the problem. The old element was obviously a dead short.
Some useful points:
1) I couldn't source the correct sized tool to remove the element and gave up after a day visiting all available potential sources in Torrevieja. However, I discovered that a large pair of mole grips at a slight angle would grip well enough to loosen and tighten the element. It was a little fiddly getting the correct angle to grip and also align well enough to use a screwdriver between the jaws for leverage. I never bothered getting the correct tool as it us actually easy after you've done it once.
2) The new element came with an anode and I made the mistake of leaving it in place. I had moved to an area with extremely hard water. Everyone told me that their elements went regularly. I removed the element at the end of the season to check. The anode had completely gone and the inside of the tank was full of orange gunge. I can dig out some pictures. It too ages to clean it all out and I did not get another anode.
3) I remove the element annually and clean with vinegar (or agua fuerte if really bad build-up). Element is now 3-4 times older than the original.
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Post by timpeacockuk on Sept 20, 2021 15:18:29 GMT
So the update. Fortunately the local chandlery had an element and thermostat. They are not Quick, but it is a boat bit rather than a domestic one. I was assured that it would fit most modern tanks, which it did. Thanks for the advice about the trick with the mole grips and screwdriver which worked perfectly. I managed to remove and refit the parts with the tank on its side balanced on the seating woodwork. I had removed the water feeds but the engine feed and return pipes were still attached. There was just enough slack on them to get the tank out. So, tank refitted, power turned on, hey presto, hot water and no power trip outs! Once again thanks to the ‘team’ for giving the confidence to pursue the solution and for the tips on how to make it a little easier.
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Post by Zanshin on Sept 20, 2021 15:29:39 GMT
Congratulations on a job successfully done! I had the same problem and found a normal heating element at a hardware store, but my biggest problem was the same as yours - getting the element removed as it needs a very (big) special wrench
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mdrsail
Full Member
Posts: 43
Jeanneau Model: 2008 39i
Yacht Name: Grace
Home Port: MDR
Country: USA
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Post by mdrsail on Dec 17, 2021 20:02:02 GMT
I just did this to my Quick 40. I ordered the new element from the Jeanneau parts site and while there I got a new thermostat. The element I pulled out was severely corroded. The new one came with a very long zinc anode. Any guesses as to how long that is rated to hold up? Hot water is a wonderful thing!
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Post by jy51 on Dec 18, 2021 19:47:25 GMT
Having got through quite a number of these heater elements on my previous boat, due to corrosion, I ended up purchasing an adjustable plumbers wrench which makes the replacement a simple job.
My new boat has been fitted with two in line 10 inch filters between the on board water system and the dock water supply. One is a carbon block filter and the other is an anti scale filter. At first I had them mounted on a stand with hoses each end, now they are installed permanently inside a stern locker with on/off valves to isolate the filters for changing. Not sure how effective this will be in stopping corrosion but I'm hoping it will keep the fresh water flush electric toilets from blocking up.
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Post by Mistroma on Dec 19, 2021 0:51:12 GMT
I just did this to my Quick 40. I ordered the new element from the Jeanneau parts site and while there I got a new thermostat. The element I pulled out was severely corroded. The new one came with a very long zinc anode. Any guesses as to how long that is rated to hold up? Hot water is a wonderful thing! I mentioned the anode in my earlier post. Mine vanished in a very short time, only a few months. It left orange gunge in the bottom of the tank and it took a few seasons to clear it out. I might be able to find some old pictures showing it. I finally removed it with copious rinsing with a nozzle, followed by soaking with vinegar for days. I'd suggest pulling it ASAP. I remove the element at the end of each season and remove all build up with an acid rinse. I haven't replaced the element since 2015 but do keep a spare.
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Post by Mistroma on Dec 19, 2021 17:26:56 GMT
A couple of rather blurry pictures of the Quick HW tank interior. The interior of the tank about 3 months after inserting the element with anode. There was nothing left of the anode abart from a tiny stump covered in orange gunge. The tank was a bit cleaner by end of 2017. I had tried several rinses with a nozzle to stir up the sediment. I finally removed it all with further rinses and long soaks with lots of vinegar. It is pretty sparkly these days.
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