544
edits
Changes
m
Under way, engine coolant circulates through the hot water tank, and hence to a water-water heat exchanger with keel cooler. Another feature of this design is that raw seawater is not circulated through the engine. There is a bypass circuit around the water heater that closes thermostatically when the heater is at temperature.
(The next article will describe a tankless design for a hot-water heater with a solar collector and engine pre-heat.)
In winter if the boat is out of the water, the engine may have to be run to charge the batteries. In this case, an optional water-air radiator in the engine room provides engine cooling.
→Hot Water
=== Hot Water ===
Hot water is heated in several ways. In port in summer, the water is heated by standard electrical elements operating off the AC. In winter, it is heated by the water jacket on the diesel oven. If the oven is not in use, and there is no other source of heat, the hot water tank defaults to the electrical elements.
Use an anti-scald, balanced-pressure shower valve (not a tempering valve!) on the showers to regulate the water to 120 F. This will avoid scalding people, and reduce water consumption. Bathers will be able to mix the water faster to a comfortable temperature.