Hot water heater 2006 400DA

[Scottster]

I just took delivery of my 400 yesterday. I was all over it trying to find everything. The last thing I was looking for was the hot water heater. The owners manual says it is in front of the water tank. How do you access it and where is it normally bypassed for winterizing?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[JimG]

Its normally bypassed right at the water heater.

I take both fresh water hoses off and couple them together. Then open the pop-off and the drain valve.

 

[JMY]

The hot water heater on my 40 Dancer is located under the aft seating area. Pull the seating section forward and then raise it up and a panel will be exposed, remove that and you should see the water heater. Also the compartment that my heater is located in is sealed and if you drain the water directly from the heater it will collect in the compartment, terrible design. I made that mistake once which lead to the insulation absorbing the water and rusting out the electrical connections on the heating element the next year. I now pump the water out of the tank before winter storage.

Good luck,
Jim

 

[Scottster]

Thanks Jim. I will look there next time I get down to the lake. Sounds like a step back in design. Looks like they could of made a drain to the bilge or something. I won't drain it in that compartment then. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks again.
Scott

 

[Warren]

Mine is starboard side aft of the generator. I remove the inlet and outlet hoses every fall after pumping the system clear, then reconnecting the hoses to bypass the HWT. I also introduce plumbing antifreeze into the top hose with a funnel until it runs out the bottom (cold) hose - just in case there is water in there to freeze and damage my 2 years new stainless HWT.

 

[cod]

Thanks Jim. I will look there next time I get down to the lake. Sounds like a step back in design. Looks like they could of made a drain to the bilge or something. I won't drain it in that compartment then. Thanks for the heads up.

Thanks again.
Scott

FYI, my previous boat was a 37 Searay and the drain on the hot water tank had a hose that went into the bilge. It appeared it came from the factory this way. It was located under the aft seating also. May be something you may want to consider. Not a difficult modification. Be sure if you do to seal around the hose going thru the bulkead to prevent any possible fumes from entering the cabin.

 

[Warren]

Mine is starboard side aft of the generator. I remove the inlet and outlet hoses every fall after pumping the system clear, then reconnecting the hoses to bypass the HWT. I also introduce plumbing antifreeze into the top hose with a funnel until it runs out the bottom (cold) hose - just in case there is water in there to freeze and damage my 2 years new stainless HWT.