Best heating system?
Moderator: Jim Walsh
Best heating system?
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
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
Lake Champlain
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- Posts: 630
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 11:38
Check this out
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.
________
Arizona Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
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.
________
Arizona Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
Last edited by Andy Denmark on Feb 13th, '11, 03:37, edited 1 time in total.
- bottomscraper
- Posts: 1400
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 11:08
- Location: Previous Owner of CD36 Mahalo #163 1990
- Contact:
Espar
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
Nordic Tug 34 Tanuki
Previous Owner Of CD36 Mahalo #163
Southern Maine
http://www.sailmahalo.com
Wallas?
Has anyone tried a Wallas heater? At just 4.5" wide, it looks like a pretty compact unit.
Wallas Link: http://www.wallas.com/default.asp?id=sews73mdk
John
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.
-
- Posts: 92
- Joined: Jan 13th, '08, 12:22
- Location: CD36 Diapensia Lubec, Maine
- Contact:
espar
rich: what size/model espar? Where ducted?
- bottomscraper
- Posts: 1400
- Joined: Feb 5th, '05, 11:08
- Location: Previous Owner of CD36 Mahalo #163 1990
- Contact:
Re: espar
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.lubeckmaine wrote:rich: what size/model espar? Where ducted?
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
Nordic Tug 34 Tanuki
Previous Owner Of CD36 Mahalo #163
Southern Maine
http://www.sailmahalo.com
- Warren S
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Jul 27th, '06, 21:22
- Location: s/v Morveren
Cape Dory 270 Hull #5
Washington, NC
Here's one more
"Being hove to in a long gale is the most boring way of being terrified I know." -Donald Hamilton
How about some propane heater feedback
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
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
Lake Champlain
- Joe CD MS 300
- Posts: 995
- Joined: Jul 5th, '05, 16:18
- Location: Cape Dory Motor Sailor 300 / "Quest" / Linekin Bay - Boothbay Harbor
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.
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.
Better to find humility before humility finds you.