Our Quick hot water tank has failed the last months,which may not sound like a huge problem, but with the time,and being spoiled,we wanted it up working again. With the breaker tripping every time we tried to switch it on,the major suspicion was a faulty heater element.

Subsequently a replacement was ordered arriving to the marina.

I spent almost one day in the engine room to have the job done. It´s rarely like it looks in YouTube tutorials or manuals that all connections are easily accessible and nothing is stuck due to corrosion. In the real world of Dora Mac I needed to take down parts of the interior of the engineroom for access,as well as dismounting some filters from the watermaker. As anticipated the old heater element was completely stuck due to corrosion. With heating and some real heavy tools I finally had it out for replacement. The great fear when doing this kind of jobs is to damage something else on the domestic watersystem (especially piping and connections supplying the hot water tank) which if it happens will incapacitate the whole fresh water system (meaning no water for drinking and cooking as well as no toilets or showers).

The old heater element was completely eaten by corrosion (creating short circuits) and nothing was left of the protecting anod.

If I understand correct these elements have a lifespan of 5-10 years and it´s probably a good idea to have a spare onboard.