Hot water heater and 220 vs. 110 volts

N

noltj

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Jun 25, 2007
RO Number
26977
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9
I just removed my blown out water heater. Needless to say I had to cut in half to fit it through the companion way from the engine room. I now have in mind a smaller heater that is fewer gallons. It is rated for 110 volt or 220. The plumbing guy said it should be hooked as 220 to get proper capacity. The one removed was 110 volt. Can I just run 220 using the preexisting line (it would be very difficult to re-run wiring)? Is this just a Matter of changing the breaker in the panel? Is this a no brainier? My electric knowledge would fit a shot glass!
Tired of cold showers!
Jim
 
My electric knowledge would fit in a thimble! However, if you do not have 220 coming into the boat, I don't see how you are going to get 220 into the water heater.

My 6 gallon 110V works just fine (knock wood) and is the original heater.
 
Reading the label will tell you what the replacement should be.
Go with a smaller capacity in gallons for ease of installation but use the same electrical supply.
Replace the wires as they came off, including the ground.
You will probably need to modify the in/out lines if the unit is smaller as they won't fit exactly.
Been there
Abouttime
 
You can't use the existing 110 wiring. Not enough # of wires for starters. Do you have a 220 service to your boat?

If not, then no you cannot hook it up that way.

No big deal, it will just heat slower.

I'd stick with 110.
 
Oh yeah. When you replace, go the extra few dollars for the heat exchanger model. Well worth the $$ IMO.
 
Also consider even if you do have 220 shore power your generator (assuming you have one) likely won't
 
Thanks much, I have 220 but not with the generator, a very important point!
Let me get this straight, if I stick with the 110 it will get just as hot but only slower recoup time? It will be 20 gallons and rarely, if ever are all three showers used at the same time.

Jim
 
It will work just fine on 110. There's no good reason to convert everything to 220. The only advantage to using 220 is that during an original installation you can use lighter gauge wire. And the price of copper these days, is a crime!

But to simply replace one water heater with another, stick with the 110. The wire and circuit breaker are already there, and are correctly-sized for a 110 volt unit.

Besides, it you're going to be replacing the original water heater with a smaller-sized unit, the water will most likely heat up a little quicker anyway.
 
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