BajaNomad - Cinsa Basico Water Heater

Cinsa Basico Water Heater

Santiago - 5-4-2009 at 06:40 PM

I have a very small propane water heater, a Cinsa Basico Model 101, 38 liter, that is about 4 or 5 years old. It has had very intermittent use, probably less than 20 hot showers per year as we don't need it in the summer and has always been out side within reach of the salt cedars. I moved it to a better location and intend to replace it.
In downloading the instructions from Cinsa's website, I noticed that they said do not use PVC on the hot water side, not even C-PVC, but that horse done left the barn. I've connected the water heater to the PVC with a faucet hose. Not even a pressure relief valve, heh.
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So what's the problem with PVC caring a little hot water?

mtgoat666 - 5-4-2009 at 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
So what's the problem with PVC caring a little hot water?

if it's PVC designed for the temperature, no problem.

if it's regular old PVC, hot water (esp very hot water) will eventually degrade pipe and glue.

what's done is done, maybe it will last, maybe not.

BigWooo - 5-5-2009 at 06:17 AM

I can't find it, but I remember reading somewhere that PVC will fail around 150 degrees. Like mtgoat says the glue fails and the pipe walls weaken.. Maybe if you keep the temp down it will last longer? I'd be most worried about pipe that may be poured into the floor or foundation, and not knowing a leak may exist below the house.

BigWooo - 5-5-2009 at 06:20 AM

Ahhh Here it is: It' from some plumbing bulletin board:

* Posted by lazypup (lazypup@yahoo.com) on
Wed, Feb 8, 06 at 13:05

I have been in the Plumbing trade for nearly 4 decades and throughout that time every time I noted a change to the codes I made it a personal point to find out the underlying reasoning for the changes. To date I have yet to find any change that does not make perfect sense once you find out what prompted the change.

It was soon discovered that PVC will exhibit wall softening and glue joint failures at temperatures approaching 150degF, which explains why the ASTM standard for PVC now limits it to applications not exceeding 140degF. )

The PVC formula was then improved upon to create CPVC which can withstand temps up to 190DegF for a short time.

[Edited on 5-5-2009 by BigWooo]

rpleger - 5-5-2009 at 08:25 AM

So?

Paulina - 5-5-2009 at 08:33 AM

Jim,

Nothing to add re PVC.

I want to compliment you on your place. You really did a nice job with the back area. Who did your cement/rock work?

Nice steps to the deck too. How many beers do you charge for your consulting services? Going to be down mid summer by any chance...

P.<*)))>{

BigWooo - 5-5-2009 at 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rpleger
So?

So... if the water's under 140 degrees I guess it won't fail

4baja - 5-5-2009 at 06:55 PM

nice jim, now will you get some work done on my place before i get down?

Bob and Susan - 5-6-2009 at 05:30 AM

it WILL fail...
you are in mexico

i'd replace the plastic hot water pipes now...before the flood

plastic melts easily

this year i've seen two installs like this fail
and a plastic water pump pipe in the sun fail

and...sorry...
thats a pretty ULGY hot water tank to have exposed for the neighbors to see

Santiago - 5-6-2009 at 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan

and...sorry...
thats a pretty ULGY hot water tank to have exposed for the neighbors to see

Paulina - 5-6-2009 at 01:43 PM

Bob,

You don't know his neighbors.... :lol:

P<*)))>{

toneart - 5-6-2009 at 02:17 PM

Jim,

Nice house! But if you don't intend to get more reading in (see bookshelf in photo), you should use the wood to box in the ugly hot water heater.

I do not take my own advice. My hot water is ugly too, and it is exposed for God and all his little lambs to see. I have an excuse though. I read a lot! :lol:

vandenberg - 5-6-2009 at 02:48 PM

Santiago,
Not even a pressure relief valve. :?:

You only need one of those for the second before the tank blows. :biggrin:

But it's a money saver. :biggrin:

Just don't be too close when it blows. :no:

Santiago - 5-6-2009 at 07:03 PM

youse all (how my polish buddy from Alabama says it) are funny. Paulina is soooo right.
Vandenburg: not only is there no releif valve (I have one but never got around to putting it in as my buddy decided to see what would happen if we starting sipping tequila before noon). The really bad thing is that the pilot doesn't work so I set a really big rock on the pilot valve, heat up the thermocouple with one of those flame thrower thingys until the main burner lets fly. The echo dies down after a few minutes......... By the way - why does the main burner light only when I can't stand it any more and lower my head down so I can peek in the door???? I've had to get eyebrow transplants.

vandenberg - 5-6-2009 at 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Santiago
youse all (how my polish buddy from Alabama says it) are funny. Paulina is soooo right.
Vandenburg: not only is there no releif valve (I have one but never got around to putting it in as my buddy decided to see what would happen if we starting sipping tequila before noon). The really bad thing is that the pilot doesn't work so I set a really big rock on the pilot valve, heat up the thermocouple with one of those flame thrower thingys until the main burner lets fly. The echo dies down after a few minutes......... By the way - why does the main burner light only when I can't stand it any more and lower my head down so I can peek in the door???? I've had to get eyebrow transplants.

Hey, at least you have an idea how those things operate. More then you can say for most folks.
Had rentals in Sacramento, and waterheaters were one of the things most often failing. Replaced a chitload of them. Fun, when inside in a closet ( olden days ) with the minerals plugging the drain over the years, and having to wrestle a full 40 gallon one out the door. Still cussing just thinking about it. :fire:

Diver - 5-6-2009 at 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vandenberg
Santiago,
Not even a pressure relief valve. :?:

You only need one of those for the second before the tank blows. :biggrin:

But it's a money saver. :biggrin:

Just don't be too close when it blows. :no:

Naa, the pvc pipe will blow first ! :lol:

shari - 5-7-2009 at 08:01 AM

hey amigo...hmmm...that rock work design looks familiar...did you do it? Ya need to make sure to tell the rock guys to be careful with the cement gusano and not get it on the rock as it's hard to clean off after.

Now, about that salt pine...you probably know that those buggers drip a real toxic sappy liquid which stains everything under it...so maybe you want to consider moving stuff out from under it at night so the morning dew drippings dont trash your chairs etc.

How come you didnt just use c-pvc with that rustic water heater? I am really happy with this cool KALOTRON 20 liter porcelain lined water heater...it is so small, we mounted it right inside the shower so no rust issues. I get a nice hot long shower as it sort of heats up as I shower as long as I dont turn on the hot water tap full but just half and only takes 10 minutes to heat up and uses very little power. I tried to get another one for a rental and couldnt find one though.

BajaWarrior - 5-7-2009 at 06:21 PM

This is how "not" to hook up your water heater.

Not mine, pulled it from the internet...

r.WaterHeater.GIF - 49kB

CPVC and Water heater

taoswheat - 5-7-2009 at 06:50 PM

I hate to jump in so late in this thread, but I do know how to hook a water heater to CPVC without leaks. This is based several years of leaks where the CPVC connected to the hot water outlet. A plumber friend saw me fixing another leak and he said the only way to not have a leak is to install a section of copper flex into the tank and then hook the CPVC to the flex. Five years later and still no leaks! The copper flex is designed for water heater installations and seems to insulate the CPVC from the high tank temperature- the metal tank is hotter than the water.

Paulina - 5-7-2009 at 07:15 PM

BajaWarrior,
At least the one in your photo is in closet of sorts, so the the neighbors don't have to look at it. :biggrin:

Santiago, decorate your heater like the old green truck door that used to be south a bit. Cover it with race and surf stickers and treat it as yard art. When it dies, you can put it at the Camp Gecko entrance with an arrow to your place so people will know where to go.

sounds good to me.

P<*)))>{