chaslanier
Member
Need to change out hot water heater. Currently has an Attwood EHM6 that has rusted out. Thoughts on replacements. Looking at a Kuuma brand 6 gal. Anyone have any experience with the Kuuma? Thought good and bad on both brands.
Hot Water Heaters
- Thread starter chaslanier
- Start date
I used Attwoods Stainless Steel unit, I've been very happy with it so far. It's about 5 years old.
bahamabreisus
Well-Known Member
- Oct 25, 2007
- 2,555
- Boat Info
- 370 dancer, previous 500,420,390,300 dancers
- Engines
- 454 CI MPI
We have a 20 gal Kuuma. Works great, I think the key to hot water heaters is to have a spacer between it and the floor.
AKBASSKING
Active Member
- Apr 13, 2008
- 4,649
- Boat Info
- 1988 Yacht Fisher
- Engines
- Twin 375hp Cat 3208 T/A
A bit spendy, but IsoTherm are the best on the market.......
https://www.indelwebastomarine.com/us/products/isotemp-water-heaters/
https://www.indelwebastomarine.com/us/products/isotemp-water-heaters/
PlayDate
Well-Known Member
I just bought a Kuuma 6 gallon. After doing the research.....almost all of the manufacturers use an internal aluminum tank. Even the Attwood uses an internal aluminum tank but it's exterior is stainless steel. Kuuma's exterior is coated aluminum.
I'm speculating that Kuuma Camco is manufactured in China but I will confirm that when I receive it. Camco represents coolers, knives and a host of other products including water heaters.
I'm speculating that Kuuma Camco is manufactured in China but I will confirm that when I receive it. Camco represents coolers, knives and a host of other products including water heaters.
northern
Well-Known Member
- Jan 17, 2007
- 3,525
- Boat Info
- 380 Aft Cabin 1989 Charts Timezero radar Furuno
- Engines
- Twin 454 strait shaft
Ours rusted out and I replaced it with the same model of Attwood tank. It fit and there was not much plumbing to do. The tank that was in the boat had the engine heating element connection on one side and the potable water in/out on the opposite side the new tank had them all on one side. Make sure you get the same piping connection as per your present tank to make installation simple.
PlayDate
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Allegedly.....all the fittings are the same as my current, rusted out Attwood....but you know how that goes.
One of my observations about China is that they have moved beyond making product under legacy or well known brand names. Across the board they are releasing what looks like to be identical products under their own brand names.
I don't know if they have licensed a patent or just don't care about other's intellectual property. I suppose that in a microcosm is what the Tariff issues are all about.
In the case of Kumma Camco.....their warehouse is in North Carolina. They import the heater model number 11811 from (I'm speculating) China. I paid $229.50 (shipping included) on Ebay where they have sold for as low as $209. If you figure that domestic shipping will run them $22 that means they have to be getting them wholesale at $150 or so to make the numbers work.
I'm not sure where Attwood manufacturers their products but it is an interesting question.
One of my observations about China is that they have moved beyond making product under legacy or well known brand names. Across the board they are releasing what looks like to be identical products under their own brand names.
I don't know if they have licensed a patent or just don't care about other's intellectual property. I suppose that in a microcosm is what the Tariff issues are all about.
In the case of Kumma Camco.....their warehouse is in North Carolina. They import the heater model number 11811 from (I'm speculating) China. I paid $229.50 (shipping included) on Ebay where they have sold for as low as $209. If you figure that domestic shipping will run them $22 that means they have to be getting them wholesale at $150 or so to make the numbers work.
I'm not sure where Attwood manufacturers their products but it is an interesting question.
northern
Well-Known Member
- Jan 17, 2007
- 3,525
- Boat Info
- 380 Aft Cabin 1989 Charts Timezero radar Furuno
- Engines
- Twin 454 strait shaft
I paid 450 for my Attwood. Ordered it Friday got it on Saturday
PlayDate
Well-Known Member
Just to update....I installed the Kuuma 11811 on my boat this past weekend. The old Attwood tank was a complete disaster as the steel cover bottom basically disintegrated when I removed it. 2 screws on the front and two on the back secure it to the platform (which are challenging to get to). I found removing the base screws made it easier to access the electrical connection. Make sure the power is off before you open it up. I also cut the 5/8" engine heater hoses since I planned to replace them which made removal a bit quicker.
The Kuuma is a lot lighter and the outside is aluminum. I found it easier to attach the electrical connection first then mount the unit to the platform. The mounting tabs have three holes instead of Attwood's two hole design. The hose locations and electrical hookup are identical. On the electric hookup, there are two connection pigtails already connected to the terminal screws. Make sure you remove these pigtails (unless you plan on using them) since their bare ends can easily come in contact with the aluminum frame.
Once installed....I switched on the water pump and opened a sink faucet to let the air escape from the hot side. After a couple of minutes water came out indicating the tank had filled. I switched on the water heater and the water got warm in 5 minutes and in 15 it was getting hot.
Also...it is made in Thailand not China.
The Kuuma is a lot lighter and the outside is aluminum. I found it easier to attach the electrical connection first then mount the unit to the platform. The mounting tabs have three holes instead of Attwood's two hole design. The hose locations and electrical hookup are identical. On the electric hookup, there are two connection pigtails already connected to the terminal screws. Make sure you remove these pigtails (unless you plan on using them) since their bare ends can easily come in contact with the aluminum frame.
Once installed....I switched on the water pump and opened a sink faucet to let the air escape from the hot side. After a couple of minutes water came out indicating the tank had filled. I switched on the water heater and the water got warm in 5 minutes and in 15 it was getting hot.
Also...it is made in Thailand not China.
endless seas
Well-Known Member
Put stainless in going on 11 years .
PlayDate
Well-Known Member
Attwood, Seaward (made by Attwood) and Kuuma all have aluminum tanks for their 6 gallon version. Attwood offers a model with a stainless steel housing instead of aluminum but the tank is still aluminum.
I have no complaints...the original Attwood lasted 22 years. I'm lucky if I get 10 years on the residential water heaters I have.
I have no complaints...the original Attwood lasted 22 years. I'm lucky if I get 10 years on the residential water heaters I have.
dan313
Active Member
My second water heater just failed (6 years old). The weld around the drain valve let go. I currently bypassed the hose with a small pipe connection. This was not connected to the raw water from the engine. I have no idea why it failed. The tank was drained before winter storage and the valve was left in the open position. I'm going to take the tank to a radiator shop and see if they can fix the weld.