Potable water heater

Abstract

A water heater for heating potable water used in a boat or vehicle has operating components which are easily accessible from one end of the heater. The heater further includes a water level sensor to indicate water quantity and a coolant stack which terminates in an exhaust stack which can have either of two configurations for installation flexibility.

1 . A hot water heating system with a burner and operating components associated with said burner, said burner and said operating components being located within a housing, said operating components being located at and accessible form one end of said heating system upon removal of a portion of said housing. 
     
     
         2 . A hot water heating system as in  claim 1  wherein said operating components include a burner assembly, a compressor, a combustion fan and a fuel pump. 
     
     
         3 . A hot water heating system as in  claim 2  and further comprising a hot water outlet and a cold water inlet located at said one end of said heating system. 
     
     
         4 . A hot water heating system as in  claim 3  which utilises a coolant and further comprising a coolant level sensor which produces a signal when said coolant within said heater is beneath a predetermined level, said signal being operable to terminate operation of said burner. 
     
     
         5 . A hot water heating system as in  claim 4  wherein coolant replaces said water, said heater circulating said heated coolant through a boat, vehicle or other living area, said heater comprising a coolant stack carrying gases from a burner, said coolant stack being located within a coolant jacket and said coolant stack terminating in an exhaust stack releasing said hot gases to the atmosphere, said coolant stack being in a configuration that allows said exhaust stack to exit said water heater at least two exhaust stack exit locations. 
     
     
         6 . A coolant level sensor in a heated coolant and diesel powered heater, said coolant level sensor producing a signal when said coolant within said heater is beneath a predetermined level, said signal being operable to terminate operation of said heater. 
     
     
         7 . A coolant level sensor as in  claim 6  wherein said coolant is water. 
     
     
         8 . Coolant heater for heating coolant and circulating said heated coolant through a boat, vehicle or other living area, said coolant heater comprising a coolant stack carrying gases from a burner, said coolant stack being located within a coolant jacket and said coolant stack terminating in an exhaust stack releasing said hot gases to the atmosphere, said coolant stack being in a configuration that allows said exhaust stack to exit said water heater at at least two exhaust stack exit locations.