Launch prep- Hot water calorifier. OK to run engine with it empty?

[S1975]

Good Day.

Launching next week and it's going to be a lot easier to refill my potable water tank once boat is at its berth. Calorifier tank on hot water system was drained down before winter.

I intend taking the boat out for an hour's run to operating temps on a sea trial immediately once launched. Does this pose any risk to the water heating coils in the calorifier tank, given that the tank is empty?

Appreciate any advice or comment as I am not an engineer.

Thank you.

S1975

 

[jfm]

No problem with this at all. A hot coil inside the empty calorifier tank will not do any harm at all

 

[Firefly625]

as jfm says not an issue, however on most engines you can close off the water circuit to the calorifier, that's what I did my Hardy with a Yanmar engine and on my Mitchell with a Perkins sabre. and I assume same on everything else but I don't know, have a look and you should see a couple of pipes leading to and from calorifier with taps / stop cocks on them..

 

[rustybarge]

Remember to to disconnect the connection to electrical emerson heater element if you have one, otherwise it could produce steam inside the hot water tank and blow up when you hook up to the mains or start the genny!

 

[prv]

Remember to to disconnect the connection to electrical emerson heater element if you have one, otherwise it could produce steam inside the hot water tank and blow up when you hook up to the mains or start the genny!

I have mine turned off at the breaker while the water system is in bits for the next couple of weeks. But when I've accidentally left it on with an empty tank before, its built-in thermal cutout tripped without any drama.

Pete

 

[rustybarge]

I have mine turned off at the breaker while the water system is in bits for the next couple of weeks. But when I've accidentally left it on with an empty tank before, its built-in thermal cutout tripped without any drama.

Pete

lol.
i did exactly the same with the kettle; made a cup of tea late at night and forgot that the switch on the handle stuck in the 'on' position. The next morning when I got up I filled the empty kettle with cold water: a volcano of steam erupted.
the element must have been switching on and off all night long!
kettle still works perfectly, but the switch still sticks.

 

[Momac]

My mains immersion heater is connected via a normal 3 pin plug and socket. So while the tank is empty for winter it is unplugged to avoid all risk. In its place I have a frost protection heater plugged in - just in case a little water remains in the pipes or the tank.

Only a few weeks now until I will be refilling the water tank. I will want it all operational for Easter.

 

[prv]

Only a few weeks now until I will be refilling the water tank. I will want it all operational for Easter.

Me too - thing is, before I do that, I need to line the engine bay with new soundproofing, install the whole fuel system more or less from scratch, likewise the coolant and domestic freshwater plumbing, rebuild the damaged bits in the boom and fit new reefing lines, replace the laminate on the cabin sole, splice on a new anchor warp ensuring it fits through the windlass, and fit new hinges and latch on the anchor locker. And that's not including the other jobs that aren't strictly necessary before the boat can be used...

Busy busy

Pete

 

[S1975]

Many thanks everyone for your comments and/or anecdotes.

We are now in meteorological spring, and the days are lengthening quickly. Hopefully the winds will allow me to launch tomorrow, but I am taking note of the snow alert for Anglesey tonight.. It is a cold mP airstream blowing in today, but fortunately reinstalled the batteries before the lunchtime rain. The electrics went live successfully.

S1975