Adrianp 91 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Our current Gas Califont installation doesn't comply with the CAT1 regs and its time to sort it out. We don't have anywhere good to mount a califont that would comply so I'm thinking its time to change to engine/240V heated hot water cylinder setup. It'll be connected to Yanmar 3YM30 + likely to be heated with with 240V using excess power from our 1.5KW of solar + 3kw inverter. I'm after recommendations of good brands and ones to stay away from. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,113 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Cat 1 regs say that your gas install must comply with current regs. If your gas system complied at the time of installation then it is fine. The Gas regulations are NOT RETROSPECTIVE. There is no requirement to update to todays standards in the current regs, unless you are installing new systems. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 327 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 I’ve got a ‘Quick’ water heater 230vlt and engine, very happy, 60ltr from memory Have got parts, element and thermostat from Tenob Marine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rangi1 47 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 I’ve got a Quick as well - no problems in the 15 years since it was installed. I’m very happy with it as well. My one’s engine driven only I think. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cameron 57 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Isotemp from Fridgetech are pretty good. Easy to install. https://www.fridgetech.co.nz/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Veladare 95 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 I have had several bad experiences with marine suppliers and contractors around fridges, gas and hot water, but have found Fridgetech great to deal with. Would recommend them Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,413 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Engine driven wouldn't heat the shower at the other end of the boat. Too long a run and the water got cold. Back to califont. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrianp 91 Posted September 22, 2021 Author Share Posted September 22, 2021 10 minutes ago, Black Panther said: Engine driven wouldn't heat the shower at the other end of the boat. Too long a run and the water got cold. Back to califont. The trials and tribulations of 60 footer life! The galley tap will be my furthest fitting from the Hot water cylinder, which isn't ideal. I was thinking I might put a valve just by the galley tap that diverts water from the hot water line back to the water tank (just next to the galley), so at least we don't waste a couple of litres of water waiting for the hot water to come through. The califont is only about 1.5m from the galley tap and it still takes about 1L of water before its hot. We always have some sodastream or drink bottles ready to fill to capture it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrianp 91 Posted September 22, 2021 Author Share Posted September 22, 2021 17 hours ago, Island Time said: Cat 1 regs say that your gas install must comply with current regs. If your gas system complied at the time of installation then it is fine. The Gas regulations are NOT RETROSPECTIVE. There is no requirement to update to todays standards in the current regs, unless you are installing new systems. This is a tricky one. Technically you are right and that approach has got me through a couple of inspections. However its the one thing in the boat the inspector was not happy with. For the next inspection, I'm going to need him to go out on a limb over the new window regulations as our boat will not be complying with the new shutter requirements, so I can at least sort the califont out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 339 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 good Kiwi manufactured Copper tank hot water cylinders https://www.superheat.co.nz/marine-water-cylinders/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Veladare 95 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Adrian, I looked at what you are thinking as my califont system was also deemed illegal, (which is ridiculous), in the end I went for a diesel heater and a hot water cylinder. I went down this path for several reasons: 1. Gives me the option of heating the boat in the future 2. Dont need to run the engines, which is summer I never do unless moving 3. Run it once, sometimes twice a day for about 15 minutes and have hot water all the time. 4. Alot quieter than running engines 5. Bad Kitty told me to I also overkilled it by allowing the hot water cylinder to be heated by main power... in hindsight there was no need as you just need t turn on the diesel heater when you get on the boat and before you have loaded on the food and ice, you have hot water anyway, so dont recommend doing this... I didnt think it through properly. Happy to show it to you if you want Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ex Veladare 95 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 17 hours ago, Island Time said: Cat 1 regs say that your gas install must comply with current regs. If your gas system complied at the time of installation then it is fine. The Gas regulations are NOT RETROSPECTIVE. There is no requirement to update to todays standards in the current regs, unless you are installing new systems. Matt, I found that when I was having issues with my califont, which was old, that noone would work on it as it didnt comply with current regs. So yes you can pass with what you have, but you cant fix it if it breaks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 339 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 3 minutes ago, Veladare said: Adrian, I looked at what you are thinking as my califont system was also deemed illegal, (which is ridiculous), in the end I went for a diesel heater and a hot water cylinder. I went down this path for several reasons: 1. Gives me the option of heating the boat in the future 2. Dont need to run the engines, which is summer I never do unless moving 3. Run it once, sometimes twice a day for about 15 minutes and have hot water all the time. 4. Alot quieter than running engines 5. Bad Kitty told me to I also overkilled it by allowing the hot water cylinder to be heated by main power... in hindsight there was no need as you just need t turn on the diesel heater when you get on the boat and before you have loaded on the food and ice, you have hot water anyway, so dont recommend doing this... I didnt think it through properly. Happy to show it to you if you want if you have a cylinder built to order they can install 2 heating coils, one for the engine's cooling water and one for the Heater. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fogg 427 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 Might be easier to do this: Private Yacht Registration – Maritime Cook Islands Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,413 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 25 minutes ago, Veladare said: Matt, I found that when I was having issues with my califont, which was old, that noone would work on it as it didnt comply with current regs. So yes you can pass with what you have, but you cant fix it if it breaks I just did it myself. Replaced old califont with new, like for like.Doesn't comply but has worked for 25yrs, and no more problematic than the system for the cooker. Offshore registry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,113 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Black Panther said: I just did it myself. Replaced old califont with new, like for like.Doesn't comply but has worked for 25yrs, and no more problematic than the system for the cooker. Offshore registry. Lots of people do this. Thats why burnsco still sell non compliant califonts. Most boats are never checked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrianp 91 Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Veladare said: Adrian, I looked at what you are thinking as my califont system was also deemed illegal, (which is ridiculous), in the end I went for a diesel heater and a hot water cylinder. I went down this path for several reasons: 1. Gives me the option of heating the boat in the future 2. Dont need to run the engines, which is summer I never do unless moving 3. Run it once, sometimes twice a day for about 15 minutes and have hot water all the time. 4. Alot quieter than running engines 5. Bad Kitty told me to I also overkilled it by allowing the hot water cylinder to be heated by main power... in hindsight there was no need as you just need t turn on the diesel heater when you get on the boat and before you have loaded on the food and ice, you have hot water anyway, so dont recommend doing this... I didnt think it through properly. Happy to show it to you if you want Definitely interested to know more about this system. I like the future option of boat heating too. I guess that would involve piping and radiators around the boat? If Bad Kitty said that's the right system, I should probably listen too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Adrianp 91 Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 How far away from the engine can you mount the cylinder? Would 2m and 1m above the engine be too far? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 339 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 1 hour ago, Adrianp said: How far away from the engine can you mount the cylinder? Would 2m and 1m above the engine be too far? try to minimise the height differential, they can be a bugger to bleed the coolant pipes if the tank connections are above the engine. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dtwo 156 Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 9 hours ago, Veladare said: Adrian, I looked at what you are thinking as my califont system was also deemed illegal, (which is ridiculous), in the end I went for a diesel heater and a hot water cylinder. Can you advise what brand/type of diesel heater? Are you talking about a forced air system? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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