Hot water heater not working - 1998 SD 290

CoronCoron

Member
Apr 13, 2020
206
Boat Info
Sea Ray 290 Sundancer, 1998
Engines
(2) Merc 5.0 EFI
It has always worked fine - today I turned on the tap and only cold water.
As in a home, is there an electric heater element that is accessible?
I first turned the breaker off then on, and that didn't turn it on.
So I imagine the heater element needs replacing, or is there something else I should try first?
 
Is it original? Are you saying it doesn't heat water under way or on shore power? If it's original you got the longest life of a water heater ever. they can be repaired but it's so much work to get to them sometimes it's better to replace it. Check the breaker first the maybe confirm water is flowing thru the heat exchanger. Most likely it's just beyond its life cycle.
 
I am guessing you made sure the heater was not bypassed for winterization. If the heater is not leaking you probably just need a new element. They are usually accessible from the front. Look where the wiring goes in an make sure to turn off power to it as it is 110vac before removing.

If you pull the element take it to Home Depot, Lowes, etc and you can probably match it up to a replacement.

-Kevin
 
There is also an over temp safety switch under the front access panel. If it tripped it won’t heat, you have to push the little black button in
 
New heater is $400 if your heater is original to the boat you may wan to replace it if it is accessible.
 
Is it original? Are you saying it doesn't heat water under way or on shore power? If it's original you got the longest life of a water heater ever. they can be repaired but it's so much work to get to them sometimes it's better to replace it. Check the breaker first the maybe confirm water is flowing thru the heat exchanger. Most likely it's just beyond its life cycle.
Yes it is original.
When you say "replace it" are you speaking of the heating element?
 
I am guessing you made sure the heater was not bypassed for winterization. If the heater is not leaking you probably just need a new element. They are usually accessible from the front. Look where the wiring goes in an make sure to turn off power to it as it is 110vac before removing.

If you pull the element take it to Home Depot, Lowes, etc and you can probably match it up to a replacement.

-Kevin
Very good - will do. I will get back to you after I go back to the boat.
 
The unit is a Force 10, 6 gallons, ENG0116D and I attach a few pics
SEA RAY - HW HEATER FRONT - FORCE 10 - 6 GALLONS - ENG0116D.jpg
SEA RAY - HW HEATER LABEL - FORCE 10 6 GALLONS - ENG0116D.jpg
 
There is also an over temp safety switch under the front access panel. If it tripped it won’t heat, you have to push the little black button in
In the pics I added, let me know where to look for the over temp switch. Thankyou
 
Very good - will do. I will get back to you after I go back to the boat.
In the pics that I attached now, is the element connected to the electric wire that is protected by the black plastic covering?
 
Yes it is original.
When you say "replace it" are you speaking of the heating element?
Put in brand new tank. Get the same model you have. I did that a few years ago. Took about 2 hours and I got to drink 2 beers while doing it. Measure what you have make sure fittings are in the same place on the new tank.
 
Put in brand new tank. Get the same model you have. I did that a few years ago. Took about 2 hours and I got to drink 2 beers while doing it. Measure what you have make sure fittings are in the same place on the new tank.
Mine is the typical "cram it in where ever" boat installation and doubtful I can pull it - your 380 most likely has better access than my 290. Did you find your tank was leaking?
 
This is weird to me. Cause I am presently replacing my water heater, like I have done many times before, because SEARAY in their wisdom puts it on a shelf that collects water and it rots out from the bottom every 7 years. My original engine / outdrive really fine after 30 years, on 3rd water heater.
 
This is weird to me. Cause I am presently replacing my water heater, like I have done many times before, because SEARAY in their wisdom puts it on a shelf that collects water and it rots out from the bottom every 7 years. My original engine / outdrive really fine after 30 years, on 3rd water heater.
Someone else can opine on this, but here is a warning in the owners manual that might help:
upload_2021-1-17_11-24-56.png
 
Mine is the typical "cram it in where ever" boat installation and doubtful I can pull it - your 380 most likely has better access than my 290. Did you find your tank was leaking?
It was slightly damp under it for a year then all of a sudden it was wet. It had 1/2" clearance on the top and lots of room on the sides. I same model and make and it fit in easily. On our 28 footer it was behind the batteries. We never had to replace it but it would not have been fun.
 
that's a different model than our 98 290 had, ours was an attwood, but if that model has the switch it will be under that panel in your first pic where the blue connector goes in (center of the image)
SEA RAY - HW HEATER ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS - FORCE 10 - 6 GALLON.jpg

I just pulled the cover and there was no reset button.
 
I just got the whole run down on this HW heater.
Force 10's were built by Kuuma. Camco bought Kuuma. So Force 10 is no longer in the HW heater business.
All parts are through Kuuma, #800-334-2004. Their tech was very helpful, gave me the correct part numbers and a web site, defender.com, that sells their products and parts.
Also, I needed a part for my Kuuma bar b-q and he supplied that part # too!
Thank you for all your posts - this has been a very positive experience.
 

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