Panel and navigation lights don't work. Tankless Waterheaters feedback?

[BCasady]

Good day everyone. I have a 1996 Sundancer 270 7.4L single engine. My panel lights and navigation lights stopped working. I'm currently deployed and I have my dad watching over "Indulgence" trying to make sure she's in top shape when I get back home. He checked the fuses and according to him they're all ok. Any thoughts?

Also, any input on getting rid of my water heater (factory-no longer working) and putting in those tankless heaters? Are they hard or easy to install?

Brent

 

[Henry Boyd]

Can't help with the lights. On the tankless water heater how are you planning to fire it? I have a friend with a 38' Sliverton that has a propane fired tankless water heater. They rave about how well it works. Since our boats are roughly the same size, I'm not sure where you could put a propane locker. Also keep in mind the water heater is also part of the engine cooling system. Removing the tank water heater from the cooling circuit isn't going to cause the engine to over heat, but it will make the cooling system less efficient.

Henry

 

[Lazy Daze]

For the lights, since they're all out, it's safe to say that it's very unlikely that the bulbs are bad. Your gauge lights are activated through your nav light switch so I'd start there. Check for power at the switch - if there is, most likely there is either a loose/corroded connection or the switch has failed. Clean the connections and retry. If no joy, next try jumping 12v around the switch to verify if the problem is the switch or not. If that works, replace the switch. If not, the problem lies further downstream in the wiring (bad wire, for example).

I agree with Henry that an instant heater probably isn't the most logical choice. An electric one will only work when on shore power (or genny). But, a CG approved model is likely to be costly. With gas fired versions, the CG might have a problem with a device that has a flame being operated in the bilge.

A new 6-gallon heater is in the $350-$400 range. When I replaced mine, I put in a 11-gallon model as it wasn't really that much larger.

I ran my boat without a heater for a short time period and didn't notice any difference in engine temps. Although what Henry said does makes sense. I hadn't thought about that before. But I think that in the end, the difference is insignificant and within the capabilities of the cooling system. If you don't really need the hot water -- let's face it, having the fresh water tank in an engine compartment doesn't really qualify it as "cold water" -- then you can remove the hoses from the engine and plug the holes. I believe that a standard garboard drain plug (the one you always want to make sure is tight!) will work.