Amanda Knapp
Hot water systems on boats are similar to those found in homes, but they are powered by the boat engine's heat exchanger when the boat is in motion. The temperature of the heated water generated by the boat's engine can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage. The system requires feed and return pipes to be connected to the engine and uses the warm engine coolant to indirectly heat the fresh water contained in the tank. The hot water system on your boat plays an important role in terms of comfort and livability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Power source | Boat engine's heat exchanger |
| Engine type | Two-cylinder diesel engine |
| Engine power | 13hp or greater |
| Engine run time | 30 minutes for a shower or two, 1 hour for all-day hot water |
| Water temperature | Upwards of 180 degrees |
| Water pressure | Pressurized |
| Safety features | Pressure relief valve, plumbed into the bilge |
| Pipework | As short as possible, installed lower than the engine's header tank |
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What You'll Learn
- The hot water system on a boat is powered by the boat engine's heat exchanger when the boat is in motion
- The water temperature can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage
- The pressure relief valve is designed to open and vent the pressure created by steam when the water reaches boiling point
- The accumulator tank, containing water and air, absorbs the pulsation of the water pressure pump to provide a steady flow
- The pipework from the engine should be as short as possible to minimise heat loss
The hot water system on a boat is powered by the boat engine's heat exchanger when the boat is in motion
The hot water system on a boat requires an engine of 13hp (a two-cylinder diesel) or greater to produce enough power for hot water without having a detrimental effect on the boat's propulsion power. The motor will need to be run for around half an hour to make enough hot water for a shower or two, or an hour or so for all-day hot water. The system requires feed and return pipes to be connected to the engine and uses the warm engine coolant to indirectly heat the fresh water contained in the tank. The temperature of the heated water generated by the boat's engine can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage.
The hot water system on a boat incorporates both a pump and an accumulator. The accumulator tank, containing water and air, absorbs the pulsation and provides a steady flow. The mixer valve introduces a metered amount of cold water into the outlet flow, thus maintaining a regulated temperature and conserving hot water. The pipework from the engine should be as short as possible to minimise heat loss, and should be installed lower than the level of the engine's header tank.
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The water temperature can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage
Hot water systems on boats are similar to those found in homes, but they are powered by the boat engine's heat exchanger when the boat is in motion. The water temperature can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage. To prevent this, the system incorporates a pump and an accumulator. The accumulator tank contains water and air, separated by a diaphragm, which absorbs the pulsation of the pump and provides a steady flow. The mixer valve introduces a metered amount of cold water into the outlet flow, maintaining a regulated temperature and conserving hot water. The pipework from the engine should be as short as possible to minimise heat loss, and it should be installed lower than the level of the engine's header tank.
The motor needs to be run for around half an hour to make enough hot water for a shower or two, or an hour or so for all-day hot water. The system requires feed and return pipes to be connected to the engine, and it uses the warm engine coolant to indirectly heat the fresh water contained in the tank. This method works best with indirect, heat exchanger-cooled engines, but it can also work with a raw water-cooled engine, although the hot water will be at a slightly lower temperature.
To regulate the temperature, the system relies on the heating element's thermostat. If this fails, the water in the tank can reach boiling point, creating steam and extreme pressure. The pressure relief valve is designed to open and vent this pressure, and it should be plumbed into the bilge or away from areas where people are likely to be.
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The pressure relief valve is designed to open and vent the pressure created by steam when the water reaches boiling point
Hot water systems on boats are similar to those found in homes, but they are powered by the boat engine's heat exchanger when the boat is in motion. The temperature of the heated water generated by the boat's engine can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage. The pressure relief valve is designed to open and vent the pressure created by steam when the water reaches boiling point. This is a safety feature, as the need for pressure relief is unpredictable, and the valve should be plumbed into the bilge, or away from locations where people are likely to be.
The hot water system on a boat plays an important role in terms of comfort and livability. These heaters must stand up to harsh and corrosive marine environments, and the system requires feed and return pipes to be connected to the engine. The pipework from the engine should be as short as possible to minimise heat loss, and should be installed lower than the level of the engine's header tank. The system uses the warm engine coolant to indirectly heat the fresh water contained in the tank. Although this method works best with indirect, heat exchanger-cooled engines, it will also work with a raw water-cooled engine, although less efficiently, and the resultant hot water will be at a slightly lower temperature.
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The accumulator tank, containing water and air, absorbs the pulsation of the water pressure pump to provide a steady flow
A hot water system on a boat is similar to the one you have at home, but it's powered by the boat engine's heat exchanger when the boat is in motion. The temperature of the heated water generated by the boat's engine can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage. The system requires feed and return pipes to be connected to the engine and uses the warm engine coolant to indirectly heat the fresh water contained in the tank. The accumulator tank, containing water and air, absorbs the pulsation of the water pressure pump to provide a steady flow. Most water pressure pumps maintain steady pressure by cycling on and off, producing a pulsed delivery. The accumulator tank, containing water and air, usually but not always separated by a diaphragm, absorbs this pulsation and provides a steady flow.
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The pipework from the engine should be as short as possible to minimise heat loss
Hot water systems on boats are similar to those found in homes, but are powered by the boat engine's heat exchanger when the boat is in motion. The temperature of the water generated by the boat's engine can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage. The system requires feed and return pipes to be connected to the engine and uses the warm engine coolant to indirectly heat the fresh water contained in the tank. The pipework from the engine should be as short as possible to minimise heat loss. The shorter the pipework, the less time the hot water has to cool down before it reaches the tank. This means that the water will be hotter when it reaches the tank, reducing the amount of energy needed to heat it further. The pipework should also be installed lower than the level of the engine's header tank.
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Frequently asked questions
Boat hot water systems are generally smaller versions of the hot water systems found in our homes, but they are powered by the boat engine’s heat exchanger when the boat is in motion. The temperature of the heated water generated by the boat’s engine can reach upwards of 180 degrees, which is dangerously hot for usage.
Having pressurised hot water on board makes all the difference in terms of comfort and livability. The perks include being able to take a hot shower, wash your hands with hot water, and wash your dishes more effectively and efficiently.
A boat hot water system incorporates both a pump and an accumulator. The accumulator tank, containing water and air, absorbs the pulsation of the pump and provides a steady flow. The mixer valve operates thermostatically, introducing a metered amount of cold water into the outlet flow, thus maintaining a regulated temperature and conserving hot water.
Ideally, it requires an engine of 13hp (a two-cylinder diesel) or greater for a system to produce enough power for hot water without it having too detrimental an effect on the boat’s propulsion power.
