I am installing a new water heater in my 40' aft cabin silverton. The old tank had a one way valve on the cold side should I install a similar one way on the new tank. The instructions did not state anything about a one way valve. The old tank was warrentied by silverton even after 19 years. It was an old Bradford/white tank. Thanks for any help.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
water heater install
- Thread starter fjc
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2001
- RO Number
- 3655
- Messages
- 1,800
The purpose of the check valve in the cold water input, is to stop the hot water from backing up into the cold water lines. So that you don't have hot water coming out the cold water tap when you open it.
There are two schools of thought about it. Raritan doesn't recommend installing one, because with that small of a system, the pressure builds up rather quickly as the water heats up - and the check valve doesn't permit anywhere for the water to go as it expands. Thus, the pressure relief valve on the water heater will open more frequently than is desired - unless you also add an expansion tank into the system on the hot water side.
Raritan's pressure relief valves are set to open at either 75 PSI or 210 degrees, F. Many water heaters have their pressure relief valve set to open at 150 PSI, like a household water heater. But with hose or flexible plastic tubing frequently being used for the water lines, instead of metal piping, there is a higher chance for bursting a hose or blowing out a plumbing fitting if the pressure on the hot water side were to exceed 75 PSI.
There are two schools of thought about it. Raritan doesn't recommend installing one, because with that small of a system, the pressure builds up rather quickly as the water heats up - and the check valve doesn't permit anywhere for the water to go as it expands. Thus, the pressure relief valve on the water heater will open more frequently than is desired - unless you also add an expansion tank into the system on the hot water side.
Raritan's pressure relief valves are set to open at either 75 PSI or 210 degrees, F. Many water heaters have their pressure relief valve set to open at 150 PSI, like a household water heater. But with hose or flexible plastic tubing frequently being used for the water lines, instead of metal piping, there is a higher chance for bursting a hose or blowing out a plumbing fitting if the pressure on the hot water side were to exceed 75 PSI.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2001
- RO Number
- 3655
- Messages
- 1,800
It should balance out after several seconds. Generally speaking, the pressure on the hot water side will be a little higher than on the cold water side, due to expansion from the heat. But it should balance out and be acceptable after a short time.
As Vic said it would only be a short burst of warm water. You can beat the problem by increasing the lenght of plumbing between the cold water supply and the hot water tank, the hot water will only backup so far, if the plumbing is long enough the hot water can't get back to the cold supply line. I put 6 ft. extra of pressure hose on mine and it solved the problem.
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2001
- RO Number
- 4846
- Messages
- 3,913
The tank was warrantied by Silverton because they installed a non marine heater in your boat originally. It was recalled by Silverton. Bradford White didn't/doesn't make marine water heaters.
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2001
- RO Number
- 3655
- Messages
- 1,800
My understanding (I could be wrong) was that those water heaters didn't have ignition-protected thermostats on them. When they "make and break," a spark is given off. If the thermostat isn't sealed, and you have a gasoline powered boat, and the water heater is in an area exposed to gasoline fumes, things could get interesting....
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2001
- RO Number
- 4846
- Messages
- 3,913
Yes Vic, you are correct. They installed a home unit on the boats. Most Silvertons of that vintage were gassers.
Ask me how I know....
Ask me how I know....