Replacing Atwood 6 Gallon Water Heater-280 Sundancer

M

Madifonzo

New Member
Sep 30, 2013
716
Boston, Ma
Boat Info
2005 280
Zodiac Zoom 310 9.9 Honda
Engines
Twin 5.0 MPI with Bravo III Drives
I am due to replace my water heater. Its original and I think is leaking. I am considering replacing with the 11 gallon version. From what Atwood states its only 2.75" taller and 2.75" taller. Based on that, it should fit. I am looking to see if anyone has completed this upgrade. The boat only holds 28 gallons of water and we overnight a lot...the extra capacity would be welcome.
 
It will fit but the install might be hell. Jaywoodz upgraded. He ended up removing a manifold and it was still tight. Remember 11th grade geometry. Think of the heater as a set of three dimensional triangles. That 2.75" is a lot bigger when the install must be laid on an an angle. My two cents.
 
How about you make a cardboard box the same demensions and see if you can get it in there?
 
Madifonzo said:
I am due to replace my water heater. Its original and I think is leaking. I am considering replacing with the 11 gallon version. From what Atwood states its only 2.75" taller and 2.75" taller. Based on that, it should fit. I am looking to see if anyone has completed this upgrade. The boat only holds 28 gallons of water and we overnight a lot...the extra capacity would be welcome.
Click to expand...
The larger hot water heater will allow a longer hot useage before cooling off but it won't add anything to the total of usable water....you'll still only have 28gal water tank.
 
I was talking to a dock neighbor at the end of the season and he told me he has an on demand hot water heater on his boat. He said he loves it.
I've never seen one installed, and don't know much about them, but it may be worth looking in to.
 
Woody said:
The larger hot water heater will allow a longer hot useage before cooling off but it won't add anything to the total of usable water....you'll still only have 28gal water tank.
Click to expand...

It would give him 5 more gallons if he filled the HWH first and then topped off his freshwater tank before leaving the dock...I do know the feeling. After 2-days on the hook with showers and normal stuff, we are looking for water also and have the same sized tank. However, 5 gallons won't give me a 3rd day...

Bennett

Bennett
 
The boat only holds 28 gallons of water and we overnight a lot...the extra capacity would be welcome.

You will only get more capacity if you increase the cold water tank. Any hot water you use is replaced by cold water.
On our 28 footer we had 6 gallon tank. It was good for the two of us. We added more cold water by adding an extra water tank. I tied the two together with a flexible hose.
 
dpmulvey said:
It will fit but the install might be hell. Jaywoodz upgraded. He ended up removing a manifold and it was still tight. Remember 11th grade geometry. Think of the heater as a set of three dimensional triangles. That 2.75" is a lot bigger when the install must be laid on an an angle. My two cents.
Click to expand...

I was already planing to remove the elbows and trim pump. I need to inspect elbows anyway and complete coolant change on the motors. I am expecting a project on this. Going to start now and just take my time..
 
bbwhitejr said:
It would give him 5 more gallons if he filled the HWH first and then topped off his freshwater tank before leaving the dock...I do know the feeling. After 2-days on the hook with showers and normal stuff, we are looking for water also and have the same sized tank. However, 5 gallons won't give me a 3rd day...

Bennett

Bennett
Click to expand...
I won't matter how big the HWH is, once he sucks the 28 gal out of the regular water tank he is done. Yes there will be more gallons in the new HWH but it'll remain full.... he'll be unable to use it.
 
JVM225 said:
I was talking to a dock neighbor at the end of the season and he told me he has an on demand hot water heater on his boat. He said he loves it.
I've never seen one installed, and don't know much about them, but it may be worth looking in to.
Click to expand...

What kind of on demand heater? I've seen propane and diesel heaters on trawlers. Never seen an electric one. I can't imagine the power draw.
 
Woody said:
I won't matter how big the HWH is, once he sucks the 28 gal out of the regular water tank he is done. Yes there will be more gallons in the new HWH but it'll remain full.... he'll be unable to use it.
Click to expand...

i stand corrected. You can carry an additional 40 lbs of water that you cannot use. Increasing the size of the FW tank is all you can do.

Bennett
 
bbwhitejr said:
i stand corrected. You can carry an additional 40 lbs of water that you cannot use. Increasing the size of the FW tank is all you can do.

Bennett
Click to expand...

Not sure how this makes sense. If I fill my FW tank, kick the pump on and fill the HW tank, then top off FW tanks, I am carrying a total of 39 gallons as opposed to 34 gallons with the 6 gallon heater. I might as well add the larger tank if it fits....
 
Once the fresh tank is empty, you'll have no water pressure to push the water out of the hot water tank, so it will remain full. You'll gain more hot water when in use, but you really won't gain any useful capacity.
 
bbwhitejr said:
I.... showers????? We don't need no stinkin' showers!


Bennett
Click to expand...

Jump in water...get on platform....soap up w/ Dawn....Jump in water...Swish body.....get on platform..... Dry off. After sundown, bathing suits optional. Your lake water looks cleaner than my drinking water!!
 
Another consideration is how to get the last 6 gallons out of the tank after all the cold water is used up. We have had occasions where it was needed, not so much for washing as drinking. I thought about how to rig to pump it out or using pressure to force it out. Any thoughts.
Charlie N
 
If you are in need of more water buy two or how many extra required collapsible camping water can. Use them first then collapse and stow the cans.
You are on fresh water why not remove your water tank and put in a cottage UV type purification system.
We have a hand operated water purifier from the MEC for camping. You can make 2 gallons by hand in 10 minutes.
 
I had an on demand hot water heater on my previous boat, it was electric. It was about the size of a shoe box and I had to install a dedicated breaker and wiring for it. I could only use it if I was not using other onboard AC appliances since our docks have 20 amp breakers on the shore power pedestals. The boat breaker was 30A and was fine, but If I had the AC on and took a shower, the dock breaker would blow. That was not a lot of fun, as the water got cold in about five seconds. Also, had to get out of shower, dry off, get dressed, go out on to dock and reengage breaker and then turn off AC and get back in shower.
Long story short, they do make electric units in several sizes, they do work but they are current hogs.
I think I got mine from West Marine. My current boat has the 6 gal Attwood and it works fine for us.

To the OP, if you need more capacity, consider adding an additional tank or replace your old tank with a bigger one if you can find room. Remember to consider what the added weight of more water will mean for trim, planing and boat handling as well as fuel consumption. My boat holds 40 gal and when full she lists a bit to port.
 
How did you make out? I'm sure I'll have to do mine eventually. I don't want to remove manifolds and elbows if I don't have too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,163
Messages
1,427,598
Members
61,072
Latest member
BoatUtah12
Back
Top