Boat heaters

Aurelia · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 8:18 pm Post subject:

Its a unique little unit using relatively low power for that type and some folks can make good use of them. I would pay it very little attention if sitting far south but i can say the unit we have in our berth really adds comfort and dryness to our winter season overnights and a smaller unit would be even more ideal based on our experience with a 600 watt unit.

Bob, i think the same thing each time I see a pic of an AC unit shoehorned into a C-Dory window. A simple little heater mounted on the ceiling in the berth is magic when it's 28 degrees and your dockside on a january morning.

texasair · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:06 pm Post subject:

We have a electric heater that works at 400 watts or 800 watts and it does well off of our EU 1000 or shore power.

I just today bought the Lasko My Heater at Wally World, I was pleased at the heat that it puts out. We will use it for short periods on battery power with our inverter.
Our Mercury Opti-Max has a 60 amp alternator, so we should be able to have unlimited use of the small heater while underway with no adverse effects on the batteries.

JamesTXSD · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:18 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:33 pm Post subject:

Greg--Aurelia,
I spent over 5 seasons cruising the PNW--including 4 trips to AK--so I fully understand the issues of your part of the world. How much time have you spent in the waters of Florida?

We cruised for over 5 years in tropical waters, without air conditioning in sailboats. But that was where there were "free breezes". In the more confined waters of Florida an air conditioner is almost essential--no way that you can cuddle in a warm sleeping bag out of that heat and humidity!

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2012 7:54 am Post subject:

kennharriet · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 9:43 pm Post subject: Dickinson Newport Install

After researching heater options and following discussions from the wealth of experience on this site, I chose to install the Dickinson Newport P-9000. I still have not figured out how to post pics with a message but I uploaded a few pics of the install in the Lochsa "Heater" album.

My goal was safe, reliable heat without sacrificing limited space, particularly on the counter top. This particular installation mounts the factory stainless back plate directly to the window frame. It does not interfere with the lid of the Origo stove and does not use any counter space.

I ordered the regulator and shut off mounting assembly for the 1 lb. bottles from Dickinson and mounted it in the starboard spashwell. I elected not to install the solenoid shutoff at this time. This propane source installation has only one connection within the hull, that being where the rubber supply hose connects directly to the heater where it is readily available for regular inspection and soap testing. All remaining fittings are in the spashwell where potential leakage is overboard. The 1 lb. bottle will go 5-7 hrs. depending on low/high setting.

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: Dickinson Newport Install

Thanks for posting this! The P9000 is on my "consideration" list, and I've been reserving my starboard lazarette just in case I want to make it into a propane locker. I hope you'll post back with a review once you've had a chance to use it. I like that the fan is optional (to use), because I don't like noisy, blowy heat.

Rob & Karen · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 11:21 pm Post subject: Re: Dickinson Newport Install

kennharriet · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 11:26 pm Post subject:

I did reduce the length of the chimney to fit the distance between the stove and flu cap (13 1/2 in. from stove top to cabin ceiling). It does not affect the stove operation that I can tell. I cut both the outer and inner flue with a pneumatic cut-off wheel.

kennharriet · Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 11:41 pm Post subject:

Here are the other install photos. Thanks Sunbeam.

Sunbeam · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:09 am Post subject:

(BTW, in my post above I meant to say "port side lazarette" - minor point but too late to edit.)

localboy · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:28 pm Post subject:

Well after spending some really cold time on the boat earlier this week I came to realize the current Wallas heater is insufficient for cold winter boating. It was 19F air temp and I had that thing cranked up all the way; it was not sufficient. I kept having to stand in front of it which is ridiculous. M would NEVER have been comfortable.

Time to do some reading on my options and invest some time/money on something better.....

20dauntless · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:30 pm Post subject:

Mark, if local support is important to you get a Webasto. I have an Espar in the NT and the dealer in Seattle is difficult to work with...it's hard to get anyone on the phone, voicemails don't get returned, repairs take far longer than estimated...

Sure Marine sells Webasto and I've had excellent service from them (for a Force 10 stove).

Excellent service from Lubrication Specialist for Espar, too. They respond to emails almost instantly, answer their phone, and provide instructions for maintenance and repairs. And their prices are the best around.

localboy · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 10:35 pm Post subject:

Cool. Thanks.

Yeah, I'm leaning towards either of those you mentioned. Plenty of space under the galley for the heater, duct work etc. I like that the Webasto is thermostatically controlled too. It's been a couple of years since I've done the research. I had a notebook full of parts needed etc for an install, but of course, I don't know what I did with it. Some insulation would be nice too, but it comes down to work, money and work....

I'm not retired yet and won't be for at least 6 more yrs.

Rolling Eyes

Aurelia · Posted: Wed Nov 19, 2014 11:24 pm Post subject:

Mark,

While often promoted as a unit for small boats.....

We spent last weekend out in the south sound and used the Wallas 1300 heater when we were on board. We have run it quite a bit at home and on the water for about 50 hours so far and no problems. Cindie and I are quite sure it puts out significantly more heat than the wallas combo heater in our 25. It can only use one short duct extension and does not feature a thermostat but we just crack a window for balance. It uses so little fuel and power we don't mind that a bit. We think it would heat the cabin of a 25 just fine but leave the berth a little ignored unless you move the air with another fan. It was a relatively simple install and we love it. If you really want a thermostat or want to split the heat to a couple of outlets, this unit can't do that. If you want low power/fuel usage and low noise for anchor time or overnight use without dock power, I think it has those advantages over many other products. Lets just say they DON'T make a silencer for it.

We heat our big boxy canvased cockpit along with the small cabin/berth areas and it does a great job even below freezing. Other boaters around asked if we were staying overnight and likely thought we would freeze to death not knowing about our secret weapon. Over 70 hours of runtime on the 10liter tank consuming as little as 28 amp hours over that duration. We wanted overnighting ability and quiet.

Fuel consumption: .13 l/h
Electricity consumption: 0,4A

Greg