All About the Marine Hot Water Heater

All About the Marine Hot Water Heater

The calorifier or hot water system is becoming one of those hard to do without luxuries. It is not difficult to install or incorporate into a system, and even functions as an additional water reserve. The term calorifier is given as most marine hot water systems heat from inbuilt coils (calorific transfer) supplied from heated engine cooling water or on the old tramp ships I once served on, steam. It makes sense to utilise all the available energy consumed by the engines.

Heating Coils. The majority of units are fitted with a single copper heating coil. Beware of the cheaper imported units, as the coils are very small and are only a turn or two. Good calorifiers will have several turns installed to ensure good heat transfer rates.

Electric Elements. Calorifiers should also incorporate an auxiliary electric heating element for mains AC heating capability.

Element Ratings. Element ratings should not exceed 1200-1800 watts due to electrical supply limitations of shore power and small generators, unless you have a reasonably high output generator set.

Thermostats. A thermostat is also essential for controlling temperature and preventing overheating and therefore over pressure conditions.

Pressure Relief Valves. All calorifiers should have a pressure relief valve. The valve should be regularly operated manually to ensure that it is not seized, and to eject any insects or debris from the overflow pipe.

Valves The inlet of a calorifier should always have a non-return valve fitted to prevent the heated and expanding water in the tank from back flowing into the cold water system and pressurising it.

Water Tank Insulation Ensure that the calorifier has a good insulation layer or cover to avoid wastage of heat. If the engine is run every alternate day, good insulation will keep it warm over the extended period.

Tank Mounting. The calorifier must be mounted with the coil on the same level as, or below the engine cooling water source. This is because the engine pump must circulate water through a longer system, which introduces resistance and could overload the pump.

Air Locks There must be no air locks in the system as these also go through the engine cooling system and effect cooling. The calorifier must always be installed lower than the engine water filling point.

Hose Connections. Use heat resistant rubber hoses to connect up heating circuit. Ensure that air locks cannot form in the hoses. Ensure that all hose connections have double hose clamps

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All About the Marine Hot Water Heater