[kjb5star]

I have two 50 galon water heaters that are side by side in the same room in my house and would like to hook them togerther so I can take longer showers. How do I can I hook them together?

[ballengerb1]

I can asnwer your question but need to say a single 50 heater can provide hot water for a very long shower. Your heaters may have a problem if the shower cools in under 15 minutes. To connect 2 heaters I'd recommend they be in series, pipe cold into the first heater, hot comes out of 1st and goes into cold inlet for 2nd heater. This will give you the equilaent of a 100 gallon water heater

[sp327]

What about the electrical side of this question, does new wiring need to be added or can both heaters run off the same breaker or fuses?

[massplumber2008]

Hi Sp327...

You'll need to install separate breakers/fuses for each water heater.

For 50 gallon water heaters you'll use #10 wire and a 30 amp double pole breaker/fuse for each.

I'd recommend putting at least one water heater on a WATER HEATER TIMER so you can control at least some of the cost associated with adding an additional heater. For example, you might want to have the additional heater come on in the early AM only.

If you pipe them as Ballengerb1 suggested (best way) and you decide you want to add the timer be sure the timer goes on the first water heater that feeds the second heater.

Mark

[ma0641]

Unfortunately, this question was asked 6 months ago. KJB5star doesn't say if they are gas or electric or if they are already hooked up. If they are, no gas or wiring change is needed. By now he/she has plenty of hot water or is still getting cold.

[massplumber2008]

Hi MA0641... good catch! I did manage to combine both posters!

Advice still stands for SP327's question~ :)

Thanks for post...

Mark