Water heater issue

[Almightys]

My water heater doesn’t seem to get that hot. I make sure to run the water so that it is filled and wait 15 minutes or so to let it heat. It’s def warm but not hot like my home tab water. I’ve also noticed that rotten egg smell when you run the hot water. When I turn it on you can see the power draw at the panel.

1. I assume there is a replaceable anode to cure the smell issue?
2. Would the lack of getting hot more be the thermostat or the heat element?

The unit is a Kuuma

 

[Nater Potater]

...I’ve also noticed that rotten egg smell when you run the hot water. I assume there is a replaceable anode to cure the smell issue?

Just looking at their website images, I don't see where an anode could be installed, and nothing in the description. That's not to say that there couldn't be one hidden under a panel somewhere.

When I turn it on you can see the power draw at the panel. Would the lack of getting hot more be the thermostat or the heat element?

Typically, heater elements either work, or they don't. Kinda like a fuse. Of course, there's always the chance of corroded connections messing with the flow of electricity, but, in the case of a high-power device like a water heater, that usually leads to smoke.

Once the heater's been on long enough that you're confident that it's not getting any hotter, do you see the power draw begin to cycle? That can be verified easily enough with a volt meter applied to the element terminals. If it is cycling, my money would be on the t-stat not set right. However, if you see a constant supply of power to the heating element without an associated increase in temp, you probably have a bad element, and are only seeing an increase in heat from the engine heat exchanger.

 

[Gallf1]

Try adjusting the Tempering Valve setting....they can be set between 120 and 160F. It may be stuck or faulty.

 

[markrsimon]

Its an older boat, I dont think he would have a mixing valve at the tank - unless someone installed one.

15min is not long enough. Its prob an 11gallon tank and I would guess a half hour at least before its hot enough. Look at your AC current/amps meter on your electric panel. When you turn the water heater on - you will see the meter jump up alot - 12amps. When the meter falls back down - you have hot water. In my experience the hot water is hotter than what we have at home. Thermostat is fixed so no adjusting. You just end up using less of that 11gallons.

If things still dont seem right, snap a few pictures of your water heater and electric panel meters and post them.

 

[BobFino]

I just replaced my water heater because of the rotten egg smell. If the elements are deteriorating or have a crack in the outside material they will cause a rotten egg smell. In my case the elements were no longer available so I had to do a complete replacement. My OEM heater was a Atwood and I replaced it with a Kuma, Camco is the same mfg. Since yours is a Kuma, I think your elements are still available. Once I replaced my water heater, rotten egg smell is gone. If you can, just do the elements first, not a very expensive try.

 

[Almightys]

Ok so took some advice here and let it heat up for 30plus minutes. Now it was hot. Like shower hot. Still had that rotten egg smell though. I was hooked up to shore water source so I know it’s not the tank. So is there a replacement anode then?

 

[markrsimon]

What make/model do you have? The older atwood models are a PIA to replace the element and given its age - it would be better to replace the entire unit if still original unit.

 

[Almightys]

What make/model do you have? The older atwood models are a PIA to replace the element and given its age - it would be better to replace the entire unit if still original unit.

It’s an 11 gallon Kuuma

 

[markrsimon]

going to need the mode number to look up the heating element part number. they make screw in type elements, and square ones that have 4 bolts/screws holding it in.

 

[Almightys]

going to need the mode number to look up the heating element part number. they make screw in type elements, and square ones that have 4 bolts/screws holding it in.

Why do you think it’s the element and not the anode?

 

[Chris-380]

Ok so took some advice here and let it heat up for 30plus minutes. Now it was hot. Like shower hot. Still had that rotten egg smell though. I was hooked up to shore water source so I know it’s not the tank. So is there a replacement anode then?

Empty the water heater completely, let it set for a few days. Treat water system with bleach, I do my 70 gal tank with 2 cups of bleach, run through the system, fill water heater. Let sit for a few hours, drain. Fill fresh water tank I add 2 TB to mine (70 gallons) and now that treats my water no issues again. The rotten egg smell is from a bacteria, at least what I know. Loves the warm environment, does when drained and sits. Bleach keeps it from coming back

 

[BobFino]

Trust me on this one, I trouble shot my rotten egg smell for quite a while with several different ideas. Finally got resolved after I changed the tank. The only reason I didn't just do the elements, they were no longer available for my Atwood model, which was the original. If your elements are still available change those first, since your are dealing with a Kuuma or Camco which are the same, I believe the elements are still available.

 

[Little Ducky]

Empty the water heater completely, let it set for a few days. Treat water system with bleach, I do my 70 gal tank with 2 cups of bleach, run through the system, fill water heater. Let sit for a few hours, drain. Fill fresh water tank I add 2 TB to mine (70 gallons) and now that treats my water no issues again. The rotten egg smell is from a bacteria, at least what I know. Loves the warm environment, does when drained and sits. Bleach keeps it from coming back

What he says.

If you look online you will notice that RV'ers have this same phenomenon. A little bit of non scented bleach, flush your system to ensure it makes it through all your faucets and let it sit for a few hours. Take the boat out and do tight turns and get the water all agitated and then flush thoroughly. I had the smell this year when I de-winterized and it was all taken care of in one afternoon and the smell hasn't come back.

On your heating issue. Is your water heater strictly electric or does it also heat by engine cooling water? If it heats by both do you notice any difference in water temp after a cruise?

 

[Almightys]

What he says.

If you look online you will notice that RV'ers have this same phenomenon. A little bit of non scented bleach, flush your system to ensure it makes it through all your faucets and let it sit for a few hours. Take the boat out and do tight turns and get the water all agitated and then flush thoroughly. I had the smell this year when I de-winterized and it was all taken care of in one afternoon and the smell hasn't come back.

On your heating issue. Is your water heater strictly electric or does it also heat by engine cooling water? If it heats by both do you notice any difference in water temp after a cruise?

The fresh water tank can’t be the issue. It was completely flushed at beginning of season and no smell exists from the cold water side.

 

[Chris-380]

The fresh water tank can’t be the issue. It was completely flushed at beginning of season and no smell exists from the cold water side.

If you treat all the water, it will take care of the part in the water heater….

 

[Jaybeaux]

We just got a new boat (2006) last month. The cold water was fine. When I switched to hot, it smelled like rotten eggs. I completely drained the freshwater tank all through the hot water side. That alleviated most, but not all of the smell. I then added about 1/4 tank of fresh water, added several cups of bleach, added water to 1/2 full mark. I then ran hot water at all taps until the bleach water came through. Repeated for all cold water sources. Let is sit overnight. The next day, flushed the entire system 2-3 times; both cold and hot sides. Problem solved. You have to remember that the hot water heater/tank is a 8+ gallon (whatever size you have) fat spot in the line. When the bleach mixture enters it from the freshwater tank, it takes several tank volumes of turnover before you get the full bleach concentration. The reverse is true on the flushing.

Jaybeaux

 

[Almightys]

Alright alright. So I’ll flush again just through the hot water side. Lol

 

[Chris-380]

Alright alright. So I’ll flush again just through the hot water side. Lol

For me, I found letting the water heater sit empty for a day or 2 to kill the bacteria

 

[markrsimon]

The only easy way to add bleach is through the fresh water tank - thus the comments about using the fresh water tank. This process lets you get the bleach into the hot water tank. Note: do not turn on the hot water tank. you want to run the hot water side long enough to start smelling the bleach water -then let is sit.

once you finally rid yourself of the smell — when you arrive at the boat, run the cold water for maybe a few minutes. this gets air bubbles out of the line, and gets fresh water in the cold water lines. then - switch to hot only and let that run for 5min minimum. you want to flush that hot water tank out - getting all that stale water out of there. After 5min or so, turn off the faucet and switch on the AC breaker for your hot water heater.

 

[Woody]

The only easy way to add bleach is through the fresh water tank - thus the comments about using the fresh water tank. This process lets you get the bleach into the hot water tank. Note: do not turn on the hot water tank. you want to run the hot water side long enough to start smelling the bleach water -then let is sit.

once you finally rid yourself of the smell — when you arrive at the boat, run the cold water for maybe a few minutes. this gets air bubbles out of the line, and gets fresh water in the cold water lines. then - switch to hot only and let that run for 5min minimum. you want to flush that hot water tank out - getting all that stale water out of there. After 5min or so, turn off the faucet and switch on the AC breaker for your hot water heater.

I think I'd get in the bilge and open the hot water tank drain. Get rid of all the stinky water in one shot, otherwise you have to run a lot of gallons through it before you could say it's full of fresh water.