Best heating system?

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Mathias
Posts: 102
Joined: Mar 24th, '05, 17:23
Location: Phoenix

Best heating system?

Post by Mathias »

My Hans Christian 33 has an Espar heater that I have never fired up because it shorted out with the previous owner and I have no history on how or why.

I was going to fix it, but now I wonder. Its benefit is that it provides dry air ducted throughout the boat. Nice benefit if everything is wet.

But its disadvantage is its power draw. It is almost only practical when plugged into shorepower.

I don't expect to be plugged in much.

So I have been looking at other options. Defender only shows one type of propane heater. http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?pa ... &id=324057

Is this a good unit?
What are the alternatives?

Thanks,
-Mathias
Sunset, CD25
Lake Champlain
Andy Denmark
Posts: 630
Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 11:38

Check this out

Post by Andy Denmark »

I've installed both the Espar and Webasto diesel fired heaters. They are both quality products. Here's a site that gives specs for the Webasto units:

http://www.navstore.com

The units are really pretty simple and a phone call might be the quickest/easiest route to go for a repair. These things aren't cheap.

Hope this helps.
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Last edited by Andy Denmark on Feb 13th, '11, 03:37, edited 1 time in total.
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bottomscraper
Posts: 1400
Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 11:08
Location: Previous Owner of CD36 Mahalo #163 1990
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Espar

Post by bottomscraper »

We have an Espar. So far it has worked fine. It draws a bit of current for the glow plug when it first fires up but once it lights the fan and fuel pump don't draw much juice. It sure makes it easier to drag yourself out of bed on a cold Maine morning! We have the main on/off switch in the V-berth where we usually sleep so we can turn it on if it gets cold without even getting out of the rack.
Rich Abato
Nordic Tug 34 Tanuki

Previous Owner Of CD36 Mahalo #163

Southern Maine
http://www.sailmahalo.com
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John Ring
Posts: 519
Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 14:38
Location: CD36 #135 Tiara, MMSI:338141386

Wallas?

Post by John Ring »

Has anyone tried a Wallas heater? At just 4.5" wide, it looks like a pretty compact unit.

Image


Wallas Link: http://www.wallas.com/default.asp?id=sews73mdk

John
Sailing involves the courage to cherish adventure and the wisdom to fear danger. Knowing where one ends, and the other begins, makes all the difference.
lubeckmaine
Posts: 92
Joined: Jan 13th, '08, 12:22
Location: CD36 Diapensia Lubec, Maine
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espar

Post by lubeckmaine »

rich: what size/model espar? Where ducted?
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bottomscraper
Posts: 1400
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Location: Previous Owner of CD36 Mahalo #163 1990
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Re: espar

Post by bottomscraper »

lubeckmaine wrote:rich: what size/model espar? Where ducted?
The heater is installed on the port side under the cockpit seat aft. I think they must have hired some very tiny people to install it. The ducts run up the port side inside the cabinet over the stove and behind the settee. There is a vent in the main cabin under the sink, in the head under the sink and in the forward cabin on the port side under the vberth. It is a D3L model. 11,000 BTU/hr (I don't think they make that model anymore), The paperwork says it draws 23.33 amps at startup and 3.75 amps running. It looks like the Airtronic D4 would be the closest replacement. It also looks like both the starting and running currents are significantly lower on the new units.

http://www.espar.com/documents/airtronic.pdf
Rich Abato
Nordic Tug 34 Tanuki

Previous Owner Of CD36 Mahalo #163

Southern Maine
http://www.sailmahalo.com
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Warren S
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Joined: Jul 27th, '06, 21:22
Location: s/v Morveren

Cape Dory 270 Hull #5

Washington, NC

Here's one more

Post by Warren S »

Image
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Mathias
Posts: 102
Joined: Mar 24th, '05, 17:23
Location: Phoenix

How about some propane heater feedback

Post by Mathias »

Thanks for all the feedback on hot-air heaters. Does anyone have any experience with propane heaters?

I heard that propane puts more water into the air.
Does it heat the cabin sufficiently?
Does it heat the cabin quickly enough?
What is maintenance like?

Are they worth considering?

Thanks,
-Mathias
Sunset, CD25
Lake Champlain
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Joe CD MS 300
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Location: Cape Dory Motor Sailor 300 / "Quest" / Linekin Bay - Boothbay Harbor

Post by Joe CD MS 300 »

I have an Espar heater and they are realy nice for those cold mornings up in Maine. The forced hot air helps getting uniform heat, however, the energy draw is something I keep in mind when using the heater so I'm fairly conservative in its use. Haven't had a problem so far.

To eliminate the problem of running the battery down to low I was considering getting a gaget that Sailors Solutions sells. It a battery monitor with a relay that will either turm off or on a piece of equipment. If the battery drops below a pre-selected voltage, the relay would turn the espar off. Just another item on the potential to do list.
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