Calorifier Repair ?

[Pot Noodle Adventurer]

Good evening all,

 

Just been out cruising for 6 weeks and a couple of weeks in found that my twin coil calorifier was leaking. Caught most of the water using a large microfibre cloth dripping into a plastic tub and was able to gauge that it was leaking about 4 litres per day. Water pump didn't kick in very often and when it did only for a couple of seconds. Hot water on tap no problem and still some left overnight (water pump always switched off overnight). The tank insulation has a split approximately 10 inches long horizontally, half way up the side of the tank (it is a horizontally mounted calorifier in engine bay). I removed some of the insulation carefully from around the split but was unable to see any leak site so when I return to the boat next week I am going to remove some more of the dryfoam insulation and try and track down the leak.

 

Now the questions are; given the above details does it sound as if the damage is likely to be significant and does it point to the leak been towards the top of the tank?

 

If I have to take the tank out what do you have any tips re draining down, disconnecting the piepework etc.

 

Has anyone successfully repaired a calorifier using brazing or glass fibre or some other means?

 

Does anyone know how thick the copper is on calorifiers?

 

Many thanks for any tips and advice.

 

 

 

 

[Grace and Favour]

I strongly suspect that you may be purchasing a new calorifier.

 

Whilst it may be technically possible to repair, IF the leak is from the body of the beastie, I wouldn't risk a repair.

 

Of course, it may be a leak from a pipe joint or gasket - in which case undo the joint, clean it up and remake / get a new gasket.

Edited September 8, 2014 by Grace & Favour
typo jobbie!

[Hoose]

Mine split last month, lost quite a bit of water into bilge, I was going to try repairing it but it's 25 yr old an I reckon it will be weakened everywhere so I went with a new one off ebay. It's copper. Cost me £169 with postage

[John V]

Had one split on the boss next to a fitting it was one I had in store for several years but had only been installed for a few months, was busy at the time so repaired it with plastic metal (yes I know, was a bodge) it lasted for 4 years then went again (same place), changed it that time.

[ditchcrawler]

Do you have an expansion tank on the hot water system. I know it wont effect you present outcome but it may be useful to know

[Hoose]

I've got a pressure release valve on it

[Pot Noodle Adventurer]

Thankyou for your feedback

 

Calorifier has a 3 bar pressure release valve fitted, but there is no expansion vessel in line anywhere.

 

Interested in the success of the plastic metal repair. What is this and is there a brand name?

 

Regards

[John V]

Thankyou for your feedback

 

Calorifier has a 3 bar pressure release valve fitted, but there is no expansion vessel in line anywhere.

 

Interested in the success of the plastic metal repair. What is this and is there a brand name?

 

Regards

 

 

Good God it was years ago!!! I think it was Devcon....not the steel one ..possibly Devcon Aluminium sorry I can't remember any more

[ditchcrawler]

 

 

Good God it was years ago!!! I think it was Devcon....not the steel one ..possibly Devcon Aluminium sorry I can't remember any more

That was a very good product, I have used it in the past for all sorts of things.

[smileypete]

Or maybe fix with soft soldered copper patch or even thick braid.

 

Consider an expansion vessel too.

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

Edited September 9, 2014 by smileypete