Hubbell Electric Heater ME Installation Manual

OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL FOR

MARINE ELECTRIC WATER HEATER

ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY

BASE MODEL “ ME ”

HUBBELL

ELECTRIC HEATER COMPANY

P.O. BOX 288

STRATFORD, CT 06615

PHONE: [phone]
FAX: [phone]

INTERNET: http://www.hubbellheaters.com/

-- IMPORTANT --

Always reference the full model number and serial number when calling the factory.

WARNING / CAUTION

1. Tank is to be completely filled with water and all air is to be vented before energizing.

2. Due to the rigors of transportation, all connections should be checked for tightness before heater

is placed in operation.

3. Safety relief valve must be installed in tapping provided.

4. The refractory material used in heating elements may absorb some moisture during transit,

periods of storage, or when subjected to a humid environment. This moisture absorption results
in a cold insulation resistance of less than twenty (20) megohms. If this heater has been
subjected to the above condition, each heating element must be checked for insulation resistance
before energizing. A low megohm condition can be corrected by removing the terminal
hardware and baking the element in an oven at 350°F -700°F for several hours or until the
proper megohm reading is obtained.

5. KEEP AWAY FROM LIVE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS.

Do not perform any maintenance, make any adjustments, or replace any components inside the
control panel with the high voltage power supply turned on. Under certain circumstances,
dangerous potentials may exist even when the power supply is off. To avoid casualties, always
turn the power supply safety switch to off, turn the charge or ground the circuit before
performing any maintenance or adjustment procedure.

6. The unit is designed to operate at pressure not more than 100 psi.

7. Generalized instructions and procedures cannot anticipate all situations. For this reason, only

qualified installers should perform the installations. A qualified installer is a person who has
licensed training and a working knowledge of the applicable codes regulation, tools, equipment,
and methods necessary for safe installation of an electric resistance water heater. If questions
regarding installation arise, check your local plumbing and electrical inspectors for proper
procedures and codes. If you cannot obtain the required information, contact the company.

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION TITLE PAGE #

I GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND CONSTRUCTION 5

II INSTALLATION 8

III SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION 12

IV TROUBLESHOOTING 14

V SERVICING AND REPLACEMENT OF PARTS 15

VI MISCELLANEOUS CHARTS AND FORMULAS 23

VII ABS TYPE APPROVAL PROGRAM 26

3

4

SECTION I - GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND CONSTRUCTION

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This book describes a packaged electric water heater, approved by ABS Americas (A Division of the
American Bureau of Shipping) and the USCG (United States Coast Guard), which is a stationary, self
contained unit and is designed and constructed specifically for marine applications on board a surface
vessel. The complete assembly consists of the storage tank, immersion electric heating element(s),
thermostat, safety relief valve, safety high temperature cut out, and any other required electrical
operating control. Optional equipment may be supplied with your unit. Please consult the product
drawing for details specific to your assembly. The unit is factory assembled, insulated, jacketed, wired,
tested, and ready for electrical and plumbing service connections.

CONSTRUCTION

TANK
Standard Tank Construction:

The standard storage tank is constructed of steel and internally lined with specially formulated
Hydrastone cement to a ½-inch minimum thickness. The tank is designed for a maximum allowable
working pressure of 100 psi (150 psi TP).

Optional Tank Construction:

Optionally, the storage tank may be constructed of all welded solid copper-silicon alloy (ASTM B-96)
or type 316L stainless steel for maximum tank longevity. No internal lining is required due to the non­ferrous materials used in the construction of the pressure vessel. The tank is designed for a maximum
allowable working pressure of 100 psi (150psi TP).

TANK CONNECTIONS

The heater is supplied with separate cold water and hot water connections. Water entering the cold water
inlet is deflected by means of a baffle within the tank. The hot water outlet includes a built in heat trap to
prevent hot water from radiating out from the heater. A ¾-inch FNPT connection is located on the side
of the heater for mounting a combination safety temperature and pressure relief valve. An overflow line
should be utilized from the relief valve outlet to a floor drain. A ¾-inch GHT connection is supplied for
draining. See drawing for locations and sizes.

HEATING ELEMENT

The water heater is supplied with an electric immersion heating element assembly(s), composed of a
copper sheathed element(s) that are brazed into a brass flange. Each assembly is fastened to a
corresponding tank flange using a gasket and four (4) 3/8-16 x 1-inch long hex head steel bolts and nuts.
See drawing for voltage and power ratings.

5

CONTROL THERMOSTAT

The water heater is supplied with either a surface mounted or immersion thermostatic switch that is
installed and wired at the factory. See drawing for specific details. The surface mounted thermostat can
be adjusted through a range of 110° - 170° F. The immersion thermostat can be adjusted through a range
of 100° - 190° F. Both thermostats are adjustable with a flat tip screwdriver.

Surface Mounted Thermostat

Immersion Thermostat

TEMPERATURE HIGH LIMIT SWITCH

As a safety device, either a surface mounted high temperature cut-off switch with manual reset, factory
set at 190° F, or an immersion high temperature cut-off switch with manual reset, factory set at 180° F,
is provided. In the event of an over-temperature condition, the thermostat will disengage the power from
the system. The high limit must be manually reset thereafter to restart the heater.

Manual Reset

Surface Mounted High
Temperature Cut-Off Switch Immersion High Temperature Cut-Off Switch

OUTER SHELL AND INSULATION

The tank is encapsulated in 2-inch thick polyurethane foam insulation. The insulation is protected by a
high impact non-corroding colorized composite protective jacket.

6

OPTIONS

The following optional features may be included in your water heater. Reference included drawing
specific to your heater for further details.

Low Water Cut-Off

Used as a safety device, the electronic low water cut­off is used to detect a low water situation and
disengage the operating coils in the magnetic
contactor(s). Once the condition is remedied, the low
water cut-off switch is automatically reset.

Dial Temperature and Pressure Gauge

A combination temperature (70° - 250° F) and
pressure (0 – 200 psi) gauge with 2½-inch dial
may be supplied for in-line installation (shipped
loose) or factory installed in the tank.

Vacuum Relief Valve

A vacuum relief valve may be provided with the unit to reduce the risk of
back siphonage and back pressure of the system. The valve will be shipped
loose for in-line installation. Instructions for installation are provided with
the valve.

Electro-Mechanical Timer

An electro-mechanical 7-day time clock with battery back-up may be
supplied for specific timing operations. A set of instructions will be
supplied with the timer.

7

SECTION II – INSTALLATION

WARNING / CAUTION

DO NOT TURN ON THE ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY to this equipment until heater is
completely filled with water and all air has been released. If the heater is NOT filled with water
when the power is turned on, the heating elements will burn out.

For protection against excessive pressures and temperatures, local codes require the installation of a
temperature-and-pressure (T&P) relief valve certified by a nationally recognized laboratory that
maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment of materials, as meeting the
requirements for Relief Valves and Automatic Gas Shutoff for Hot Water Supply Systems. ANSI
Z21.22-1971. THE CUSTOMER IS RESPONSIBLE TO PROTECT PROPERTY AND
PERSONNEL FROM HARM WHEN THE VALVE FUNCTIONS.

All water heaters have a risk of leakage at some unpredictable time. IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S
RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A CATCH PAN OR OTHER ADEQUATE MEANS, SO THAT
THE RESULTANT FLOW OF WATER WILL NOT DAMAGE PROPERTY.

WATER HEATER PLACEMENT

1. Place the heater on a solid foundation in a clean, dry location nearest to the point of most

frequent hot water use.

2. The water heater should be protected from freezing and waterlines insulated to reduce energy

and water waste.

3. Leave a minimum of 18” clearance for element withdrawal, if necessary.

4. Do not install in an area where flammable liquids or combustible vapors are present.

SECURING OF HEATER

1. The heater is supported by four 2-inch x 2-inch x ¼-inch thick angle iron legs each with a 3-inch

x 3-inch x ¼-inch thick steel base pad. Each leg is provided with one 9/16-inch diameter bolt
hole for one ½-inch bolt which should be used to secure heater to the deck.

2. In addition to the leg supports, two 3-inch x 3-inch x ¼-inch thick brackets with 7/8-inch

diameter mounting holes are attached to the upper portion of the heater. These brackets should
be attached to bulkhead secured tie-rods thus insuring further support of the heater for shipboard
installation.

8

Mounting Dimensions

Tank

Diameter

“A”

16 20 12 None 10
16 20 12 None 20
16 20 12 None 30
16 20 12 12 40

18 3/4 22 3/4 16 12 50

22 26 16 12 65
22 26 16 12 80
24 28 18 12 100
24 28 18 12 120

Overall

Diameter

“B”

Bolt

Circle

“C”

Bulkhead Mounting

Dimension

“D”

Gallon

Capacity

9