[C320-list] Catalina 320 Technical Question (Hot Water Heater Bypass)

[Ron Groves]

> Subject: Winterizing Made Easier article by Warren Updike

> Warren, I was reading your article on "Winterizing Made
> Easier" and have two questions I hope you can help me with.
>
> When you installed the 'hot water heater bypass' did you remove the
> wooden frame that holds the drawers in place? And if so, how
> (I believe I once read you only have to remove four screws).
> It seems it would be almost impossible to install a bypass without doing so.
> Any secret to reinstalling frame? Also, which adaptor kit did you use? My wife and I are relatively new to boating and any information you can provide would be helpful. Thank you.



> Ron Groves
> Lake Texoma
>
> Sent from my iPad

[Elizabeth Schwartz]

Ahoy.....I have removed  the drawer frame several times .......take the
drawers out. there is a piece screwed to the top back of the drawer that
needs to be turned down for removal.....then look for the screws in the
perimeter piece around the frame....after they are removed..the whole
assembly will come straight out....move the companionway steps out of
the way first.....Joe...#245   

[Doug Treff]

Ron,

Very simple job. Take all the drawers out, then remove all of the screws
in the frame around the door and drawer opening. The entire assembly
slides and then lifts out. I take mine out every year to winterize.
Putting it back in is a piece of cake as well, just reverse the steps.
Once you do it, you'll understand what I mean. It's really the only way
to get good access to the plumbing in there. Don't be afraid to
disassemble things - Everything in the cabin that's not glassed in is
probably easily removed to get access behind it.

Also, FYI, the drawer assembly in the aft cabin comes out the same way
to give you easier access to the head plumbing. Someday you'll be glad
you know this information.

Cheers,

---
Doug Treff
do...@treff.us

[Ron Groves]

Doug thank you so very much......could you recommend adaptor kit.

Sent from my iPad

[Warren Updike]

Removing the drawer frame in the galley is a bi-annual event: once to
winterize, once to commission in Spring. Take the drawers out first then
remove the 6 screws. The whole frame then slides out. I drain the heater
with a bucket. There is a hose on the drain valve, and one on the
over-pressure valve. I use a shop vac in reverse to blow air into the hose
on the over-pressure valve (open it first) Most of the water will come out
by gravity. I use the vac to push out the remaining water. I no longer use
any antifreeze in the heater. It's too hard to get it all out in the Spring.
Seems there isn't enough water left to hurt when/if it freezes.

I can't tell you the brand of bypass used. I bought it at our marina store.
It included two bronze valves and a section of hose (similar to the metal
reinforced hose now code for home water connections,) that runs between the
valves. With the water heater out, it's easy. With it still in place it was
a b%$#*. And, yes it is necessary to remove the drawers to engage the
bypass. I think I have some pictures. Send me an e-mail to remind me and
when we return from Florida, I'll send them.

Warren and Pattie Updike
1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62

[Doug Treff]

Ron,

I don't use an adapter. I just pull the cold water supply out of the
water heater and plug it in to one of the tees under the sink that goes
to the hot water lines. It's easy.

There should be two lines coming out of the water heater. One will be
blue, the other red. Trace the red one down to the hot water lines in
the bottom of the cabinet and pull the end out of the tee fitting. Then
pull the blue line out of the water heater and bend it down, plugging it
into the tee. Viola - instant bypass and it's free! Here's instructions
on how to disconnect the whale fittings.
http://www.catalina320.com/article.php?story=20120720222735533 One last
thing - make sure you shut off the circuit breaker for the water heater
before undertaking this procedure - you don't want to burn up your
heating element.

Then I drain and vacuum all the water out of the water heater. Make sure
you use a shop vac to pull the water out. It won't all drain by itself.
In the spring, when you recommission, make sure you've flushed ALL the
antifreeze out of the lines before you reconnect the water heater.
Otherwise you'll have a devil of a time getting the antifreeze taste out
of the water once it gets into the hot water tank.

---
Doug Treff
do...@treff.us

[Dprudden]

The first couple of winterizations, I did as Doug Treff said-After draining the water heater, I bypassed the water heater by disconnecting the input and output lines and bent one line to connect into a disconnected fitting to close the loop to bypass. I ended up with a leaky Whale Fitting last year from the bending of the tubes, so this year I bought a 90 degree elbow and about 6 inches of tube so nothing needs bending anymore and won't be distorted.

David Prudden
#787

Sent from my iPhone

[John Phillippe]

David,
Great idea and a simple fix. Got a photo you can share?

John
#530

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[Dprudden]

John,
The boat is 45 minutes away and covered/surrounded by 5 feet of snow. I will be going to the boat in a couple of weeks and will try to get a pic for you.

David Prudden
#787

Sent from my iPhone

[John Phillippe]

Thanks, -9 here today in Southern Ill.
John
#530 - Kentucky Lake

Sent from my iPad

[wfl...@aim.com]

I have photos on the web site of the process and my by-pass.

Bill lowe
#1146

[thar...@innovations-plus.com]

Would like a photo as well !

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 19, 2015, at 8:48 AM, John Phillippe <kyla...@gmail.com> wrote:
>

[Ron Groves]

Thanks to everyone who answered my email regarding the bypass. This is the first time I have used this site - Outstanding.....again thanks for your kindness.

Ron

Sent from my iPad

[dpru...@comcast.net]

John,
I didn't see Bill Lowe's message on his pics of bypassing the water heater....not sure if it went through or not but here are links to his pics of his bypass which are the same as I did. All that is needed is a 4"- 6" piece of tubing so that the fittings don't get bent out of shape and leak....

before the bypass: http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20091018100451183
After the bypass: http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20091018100728844

Great pics-Thanks, Bill!

----- Original Message -----

From: "John Phillippe" <kyla...@gmail.com>
To: C320...@Catalina320.com
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2015 8:48:27 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Catalina 320 Technical Question (Hot Water Heater Bypass)

[John Phillippe]

Got it! Thanks for the location. Just what I needed. Noe if the ice and snow would go away I can complete my list with this addition.

John
#530, KY Lake

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