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Author Topic: Cabin Heater Options  (Read 383 times)
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MattinRI
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« on: January 09, 2010, 05:28:36 PM »

What is the best option for a cabin heater that doesn't depend on shore power? The EQ Marine Wallace Forced air heater install looks really neat, but it is an extensive install & I'm wondering if the fan is too much draw on the batteries.  Cloud 9's bulkhead propane install looks eaisier & leverages the Rosborough's propane, but I'm wondering if the heat flows adequately through the cabin & if their is any moisture issues wit the propane combustion.
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'09 RF246
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Merv Floyd
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« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2010, 10:39:23 AM »

We have the Wallas D-30 forced air unit as fitted by EQ and it has not caused any battery issues so far. We have 200AH of house batteries and would typically run the heater at maybe 40% overnight for up to 2 days with maybe 3 hours engine running in between. However we do have twin BF 135's with high outpur alternators.

It is not too bad to install/remove. You simply unbolt the whole starboard drivers seat/drawer assembly and move it over. Tricky part is re-assembling the air/exhaust assembly as you have to move the seat back prior to doing that. About 3 hours.

Highly recommend getting the additional ducting to go forward to under the captain's feet and into the head/berth area. Each outlet is individually adjustable.

Noisy on high settings but no problem on the lower values. Very economical on diesel. During Winter haul out I sometimes run it at 100% for a day just to dry out any humidity in the boat.
Webasto make a similar unit. Merv
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Merv Floyd
#447 April 2007.
Scotia Mist
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« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2010, 04:50:09 PM »

We've been looking into heaters. I'm thinking that I might go with a hydronic diesel fire unit providing I can find the space to install the unit etc.. This would be more complicated then an forced air unit but it would give you the option of cycling the hot water thru the hot water heater. Grin

    I will have to look into this a bit more when the time comes. I don't think the bulkhead mounted propane units would have trouble with adding moisture to the cabin due to the fact that they are vented outside thru the roof.

   The two days we spents swinging on the hook in Vineyard Haven with heavy rain/wind sure makes a heater sound like a good idea. Not so much for the heat but to just dry things out inside the cabin.  The lousy weather was worth it with a  trip to Edgartown the follow day!
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The Admiral and Capt'n JC Mango...Strike again!!!

 Karen and Barry Ping
Scotia Mist ...hull  #383
 Acushnet MA
TammiGoddard
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« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2010, 08:55:32 AM »

Well...we have the Force 10, but Craig's been talking about adding the Wallace 30D that you have Merv. Here's a question for you:  Where does the exhaust pipe exit your boat?  And where is the diesel fuel tank? Seems it has to be lower than the heating unit.

The Force 10 heater works pretty well but I don't feel safe running it overnight. The ceiling can heat up and I like to be awake and keeping an eye on that.  Any heater is going to add to condensation problems. The warmed interior air absorbs moisture from our bodies and when it hits the cool, uninsulated walls and ceilings it turns back into water.

All this in prep for an eventual cruise of Georgian Bay's North Channel. We'd do it in July/August - but that area can be pretty cool even in the summer. Jessie M froze up there last September.

Merv, we'd really appreciate anything you can tell us about the Wallace 30D!
« Last Edit: February 22, 2010, 08:56:31 AM by TammiGoddard » Logged

Tammi Goddard
Cloud Nine, Hull #183
Middlebury, VT
Merv Floyd
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« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2010, 09:34:19 AM »

The 30D is located between the Glass Fiber console that makes up the "driver's" seat and forward dinette bench. There is just enough space for it in there. To get at it you simply unbolt the whole console from the floor. The furnace is bolted to the console and the combined intake/exhaust goes through the hull a few inches under the rub rail almost amidships. This is insulated by a thermal blanket since you can physically touch it if you sit at the dinette.
The 30 D allows 3 outlets which are independently variable. We have one which goes inside the console and exits form it's rear, starboard corner unde the dinette table. The second goes forward and exits through the storage box just to starboard of the captain's feet. Since we have a raised, slatted, mahogany platform in that area it make a nice rack for drying shoes and also directs heat over to the Admiral's side  Smiley
The third outlet goes further foreward to exit just above and behind the head which warms the whole V berth area.
As we do not have a grey water tank, the Diesel fuel tank for the Wallas is located right under the hatch in the cockpit. We keep a spare gallon of diesel and also of gas in there since it is vented by the blower. Will try to take some pictures later today.
Hope this helps,
Merv
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Merv Floyd
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TammiGoddard
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« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2010, 01:18:31 PM »

Thanks Merv, the info does help.
A further question about the exhaust pipe: Craig read something online that in order to avoid havinge spray water enter the exhaust pipe and drain down to the heater you needed a hose with a arch in it (upside down U) so water couldn't drain down. Do you have this and if so, how did that get fit in?
Your outflow vents sound perfect.
« Last Edit: February 22, 2010, 01:27:30 PM by TammiGoddard » Logged

Tammi Goddard
Cloud Nine, Hull #183
Middlebury, VT
Merv Floyd
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« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2010, 03:35:02 PM »

Tammi,
I just posted what I hope is a series of self explanatory photo's on the other site under the title of d-30 in the kingfisher album.
You will see that the vent goes seriously uphill and over the top to get to the heater itself.
Haven't been in anything much more than 5 ft but no problems so far.
Also threw in one showing the latest additions to the overhead panel. Good to have an excuse to go take pictures today in 50F weather.  That picture is taken from our backyard 200 ft above the water which is below the mountains in the background which you probably cannot see because of the high contrast caused by all that blinding sunshine Grin
I think we will put her back in the Marina this weekend.

If I created more questions than answers just fire away.

Merv
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Merv Floyd
#447 April 2007.
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« Reply #7 on: February 23, 2010, 08:44:40 AM »

Thanks Merv,
I'm printing out all the photos for Craig. They are very helpful.
Is Kingfisher II the boat that is pictured on the EQ Marine website showing the installation of the Wallas 30D?  The only other Rosborough that I know has a Wallas 30D is Patrick's wheelhouse.
Craig may have further questions.....so stay tuned!
Is your weather anything like the weather we've been watching in Vancourver [Olympics]? It sure looks like some fine boating weather up there!
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Tammi Goddard
Cloud Nine, Hull #183
Middlebury, VT
MattinRI
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« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2010, 07:26:42 AM »

thanks for the info everyone.  It looks like a diesel forced air solution may be best option from the posts I've seen unless Barry decides to try his hydronic option (maybe with a hot tub installed in some unused corner)  :-)
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'09 RF246
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Merv Floyd
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« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2010, 07:53:04 AM »

Tammi,
If you need any more pictures or detail just let me know. Can't say for sure if Kingfisher II was the model boat for the D-30 on EQ's site, (She is there many times for other items) since I think Les has fitted this system to just about every boat he has rigged.

Had a great lunch cruise with friends yesterday, didn't need the heater Grin
El Nino has it's uses!

Merv
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Merv Floyd
#447 April 2007.
Scotia Mist
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« Reply #10 on: March 12, 2010, 04:40:29 PM »

thanks for the info everyone.  It looks like a diesel forced air solution may be best option from the posts I've seen unless Barry decides to try his hydronic option (maybe with a hot tub installed in some unused corner)  :-)

Hmmmmmmm,
 Have you ever seen one of those in water hot tubs??? Grin Grin

 Just kidding around!

 I have looked into the hydronic units and they will need an expansion tank just like a home system.  Unfortunately it is probably unlikely that the hydronic system could be used effectively on the RF due to space limitations. Undecided
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The Admiral and Capt'n JC Mango...Strike again!!!

 Karen and Barry Ping
Scotia Mist ...hull  #383
 Acushnet MA
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