Help sorting Riviera plumbing issues 2

[SunsetSteve]

I posted last year about trying to find the leak in my (Riviera) water system. I took another stab at it this weekend and found the problem. now I need to find the solution. The pics below show the tank (could not identify the brand), the problem valve, and the faulty piece that I presume is meant to prevent water from spurting out the valve at the base of the tank. I do not understand how the plumbing is supposed to work, nor what the function of this valve is, but what was hapening is the black tubing attached to this valve was led into the aft bilge and was freely spurting water from the tank when the pump is activated. So I need to replace the faulty piece, I think. Any wisdom to assist in fixing this - including possible source for the part, or explanation of the function of this valve, much appreciated. Wll be wonderful to have a hot shower!

Hot water 2.jpg

Hot water 4.jpg

Hot water 1.jpg

[bud37]

It is the tank drain.....the black rubber stopper would screw in to block the drain flow and out to allow the tank to drain to the bilge.

[SunsetSteve]

Yes we tried screwing it in but that just made the whole thing leak instead of just the drain hose. I wonder where I might source the part?

[Viper]

Go to Canadian Tire and buy a replacement valve with the same size threads. You can probably find the same one by the water heater section but really any valve will do, personally I prefer a ball valve there. The black hose is typically directed to the bilge for draining the tank.

By the way, I could be wrong but that looks like a household water heater so I hope it's not in the engine compartment, it's not fastened down properly because there's usually no fastening brackets on household units, and the wiring looks like it's solid house wiring as well which is a no no. This should have shown up in the survey if you had one done.

[SunsetSteve]

It wasn't pointed out in the survey.
I did go to Home Depot and picked up a brass valve to replace - it all seems relatively straightfoward now that I know what it is - so thanks guys.
Now free to focus on the windlass installation.

[km1125]

You didn't answer Viper's question about the type of wire. That's a HUGE safety issue, especially on a high-current device like a water heater. Regular solid house romex will crack under constant vibrations and then when there's a load placed on it that crack will heat up until it starts melting or burning. You need to make sure that wire is a marine-grade wire.

And also, one a boat, brass valves aren't really your friend. That might work for the water heater application, but you should avoid brass and prefer bronze valves and fittings.

[Midnightsun]

That is almost surely a home water heater. Here is what the bottom fitting should look like. As you can see a valve is normally in place there. https://www.homehardware.ca/en/5-gallon ... /p/3284298

[SunsetSteve]

I will check the wire - I assumed it was flat-type marine 2-wire cable since I have seen that on wire sale sites but have never used it. It should be fairly straightforward to replace with proper wire if necessary. As for the valve - that link looks identical but I think the brass fitting will be better - also easier to source.

BTW - the tank is located below the aft bunk, not in the engine room. Possibly a fire might be extinguished by melting the nearby black water tank?

[km1125]

Source of the post
BTW - the tank is located below the aft bunk, not in the engine room. Possibly a fire might be extinguished by melting the nearby black water tank?

I'm not sure which would be worse... an unchecked fire on a boat, or a melted black water tank???

[bud37]

If the glass ever starts burnin that tank ain't puttin it out.......