Date:         Mon, 24 Nov 1997 18:20:16 -0800
Reply-To:     "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         "Steven X. Schwenk" <sxs@CONCENTRIC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Hot Water Heater Caution
Comments: To: Dan Fleming <ddf@PACBELL.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Dan:

i agree that caution must be used in Dave Garth's hot water set up i
copied.  I do not use the water supply for drinking, though, but not because
I am concerned about leaks.  there are no joints in the copper pipe anywhere
inside the water tank, so leakage is a very remote risk...i.e. the pipe
would have to be defective.  i never used the water tank for drinking ..it
tastes like plastic...

the more immediate risk is burns... if you do not use a thermostat or do not
test the set up to make sure it works, you could get badly burned because
the coolant will heat the water to very high tempertures.  also, you must be
vey careful when making all of the connections in the coolant lines.  shoddy
work can lead to a leak or worse, which can cause burns when the coolant is
very hot and under pressure.  BUT, the hardware i used is far more secure
than simple heater hoses.... copper tubing with flare/compression
connections can handle a lot more than stock heater hoses can...

anyway, thanks for the caution...i forgot to include it.

steve...

Dan Fleming wrote:

> I  like the hot water heater idea, but caution all considering it and
> planning on using it on their drinking water supply - current automotive
> coolants are extremely toxic. So much so that accompanying cautions warn
> not to leave it uncovered during a coolant change, as pets may drink it
> and die. So if  a leak develops in your water supply, it could be
> hazardous if you are also using that supply for drinking and cooking.
>
> Although a copper tube is very unlikely to develop a leak, a separate
> supply of drinking water might help your peace of mind.
>
> DDF