I have never ever had hot water on tap in my boat. When I bought Pentargon in 2012 it was winter. The water pipes had been drained and dried out at some previous point, possibly as far back as 2010.
The plumbing, although fully fitted, was never subsequently connected as I did not feel an urgent need for instant hot water as part of an off-grid lifestyle.
However, the Vaillant was checked over back then without water by a skilled canal gasman who fired up the pilot flame.
The plumbing, although fully fitted, was never subsequently connected as I did not feel an urgent need for instant hot water as part of an off-grid lifestyle.
However, the Vaillant was checked over back then without water by a skilled canal gasman who fired up the pilot flame.
I dismantled the unit's innards in 2015
to check all the bits were working
and nothing was missing or broken
and all the bits were then stored out of sight and mind for years.
I was advised by a qualified bullshitter that it would be a simple matter
to put all the bits together and that various Vaillant models used similar parts.
"There would be no problem commissioning it if or when it might be needed".
I reassembled the unit myself when I discovered the qualified bullshitter
had never even SEEN a Vaillant before mine!
The gallery above is a dump of a photo folder saved at the time
to remind me of a future when someone might want running hot water on board.
I have met a number of BSS operatives who have never seen this model
and at least one qualified bullshitter who has never ever seen
ANY Vaillant water heater on a boat.
to check all the bits were working
and nothing was missing or broken
and all the bits were then stored out of sight and mind for years.
I was advised by a qualified bullshitter that it would be a simple matter
to put all the bits together and that various Vaillant models used similar parts.
"There would be no problem commissioning it if or when it might be needed".
I reassembled the unit myself when I discovered the qualified bullshitter
had never even SEEN a Vaillant before mine!
The gallery above is a dump of a photo folder saved at the time
to remind me of a future when someone might want running hot water on board.
I have met a number of BSS operatives who have never seen this model
and at least one qualified bullshitter who has never ever seen
ANY Vaillant water heater on a boat.
Hot water on tap is for delicate souls who could never cope with off-grid existence.
The sands of my off-grid timer are running low now in the '20s.
Since Covid, I spend less time on board, less days moving.
The boat is being returned to a condition which would suit delicate sensibilities.
Eventually I may even restore running hot water enjoyed by previous owners.
My Shurflo ... (20psi 12V 1.4 Bar Automatic On Demand) ... Water Pump
has been fully checked and is ready to suck water from my [plastic] 200L supply tank.
Pipes were long ago re-routed under the floor and an accumulator incorporated ... (also under the floor).
Pipes are ready to join up, once a reliable electric supply is assured.
Pentargon was originally wired by a house electrician
and I had to undo a lot of really dangerous potential.
Positive to the Shurflo was 100A single core.
Good that I know enough auto-electrics to fit
multi core low resistance cabling and review all the fuses.
Boats are not wired liked cars.
There must be a negative return all the way to the battery.
Positives must route through a master fuse AND a device fuse
The sands of my off-grid timer are running low now in the '20s.
Since Covid, I spend less time on board, less days moving.
The boat is being returned to a condition which would suit delicate sensibilities.
Eventually I may even restore running hot water enjoyed by previous owners.
My Shurflo ... (20psi 12V 1.4 Bar Automatic On Demand) ... Water Pump
has been fully checked and is ready to suck water from my [plastic] 200L supply tank.
Pipes were long ago re-routed under the floor and an accumulator incorporated ... (also under the floor).
Pipes are ready to join up, once a reliable electric supply is assured.
Pentargon was originally wired by a house electrician
and I had to undo a lot of really dangerous potential.
Positive to the Shurflo was 100A single core.
Good that I know enough auto-electrics to fit
multi core low resistance cabling and review all the fuses.
Boats are not wired liked cars.
There must be a negative return all the way to the battery.
Positives must route through a master fuse AND a device fuse
KICKSTARTING General instructions for getting a Vaillant going. To kickstart your Vaillant, switch on the water pump to test for a free flow from the HOT tap. Ensure you have a gas supply going to the Vaillant. ( There is an isolator close by) Note the Red Spot marker. Turn the knob clockwise until you hear a click, which is the piezo electric igniter firing. If the Vaillant has not been used for a while or is being recommissioned, bleed the gas through by turning the knob 3/4 way round (not enough for the click) and hold for up to two minutes. The pilot jet is tiny and gas can take time to get to it. Turn the knob until you hear the click and back off completely. Turn again to click and repeat three of four times in succession. Look into the pilot inspection hole above the red spot for a tiny flame and experience will teach that all of this is best done in subdued noise and light. When you do see a flame, hold the knob fully for at least two minutes, release and turn it back until the little flame symbol on the knob lines up with the red spot. If the flame stays lit, switch on the hot tap and the burner should kick in..
