Black Panther 1,586 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Is there a rule of thumb for what size to install. I can find a 2kw and a 4 kw, but what does that mean in real life? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dambo 44 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 I thought you and Angela were retiring to the tropics? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 next year in the cold Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 My boat has a 1.8Kw. Good most of the time, but when the outside temp is under about 7 deg it struggles. If I were you BP, 4 KW for your boat - it's a lot more internal space to heat... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted December 13, 2016 Author Share Posted December 13, 2016 Thanks, now to find out if Burnsco have a bigger version of the propane one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jon 360 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Go diesel BP I sailed a 66'er down from Tonga a couple of years ago with one We fired it up about two days out and warmed the boat really well Safer,drier and you already carry lots of the correct fuel that's easy to get re filled Just my thoughts Not that I've ever used a lpg heater but have had a few dodgy times with gas califonts barking at me when lighting them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Island Time 1,235 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Jon, the LPG one is room sealed - no fumes or moisture in the boat. The combustion is actually "outside" and the heat is via a heat exchange system. Perfectly safe, and much cheaper than the Diesel one. But, in cold conditions for a long period, diesel is better, as generally you have more of it. My LPG one will use a 4.5KG gas bottle in about 5 days if on continuously, providing about a 12 deg temp rise in my boat, when about 6-7 deg outside. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex TL systems 63 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I know someone up that way that may want to sell a used diesel fired water and cabin heating system, heats the boat via a number of small radiators each with its own thermostat and fan. Was in the cat I bought in Aus.It would involve a fair bit of instalation though with pipes running to each radiator. The webasto? diesel air heating units look pretty good. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted December 14, 2016 Author Share Posted December 14, 2016 TL - I'd be interested in checking that out. DUe to the layout of the boat I am going with a unit and ducting rather than bulkhead mount, but boy they are not cheap. (Currently spending all boat money on the house so we can sell it - I guess that is "boat money" in a way). Matts propane one sounds good but maybe too small. I assume with diesel I'd need a lift pump as the diesel in in the top of the keel?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex TL systems 63 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 I will ring the guy and see if he has it still, it may have its own fuel pump or you could have a small header tank, it will only use a couple of litres a day, and heats the domestic water as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex TL systems 63 Posted December 14, 2016 Share Posted December 14, 2016 Seems he has decided to keep it in the boat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
too_tall 15 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 BP, have you ever had your yacht on a marina and used domestic heaters to keep warm whilst on board in the winter? A large domestic fan heater maxes out at 2.4KW. As a guide, on a 45' we find that an electric fan heater on high for about 10 minutes brings the cabin well up to temperature, then we turn it onto low which at worst maintains the temperature even with 3 or 4 degree outside temperature. Translate a moderately roomy 45' cabin into what you have, and I strongly suspect that whilst you would get a moderate amount of warmth out of a 2KW unit you will be unable to warm the entire volume to a comfortable temperature when you really need it, or, it may take quite some time to achieve the warmth. Remember that when warming any room ( be it on land or sea ) you firstly warm the air, and then warm the furniture, walls, etc. Only once all the contents of the room are at room temperature are you able to reduce the heating input to what is truly "maintenance" input. That is why when you turn a heater on for 20 minutes and the air temperature feels good, if you turn it off, even in a fairly well insulated house, it cools off fairly rapidly again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted December 15, 2016 Author Share Posted December 15, 2016 We have been discussing the option of moving to a Marina for a few months in winter, the cost would be close to that of buying and installing a diesel heater. Plus GH are not accepting liveaboards. (Who does these days?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve Pope 243 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Town basin Whangarei Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ex TL systems 63 Posted December 15, 2016 Share Posted December 15, 2016 Just run a generator with elec heater/s for the few hours a day you will need it, heater is cheap and the generator will be usefull for other things Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted December 16, 2016 Author Share Posted December 16, 2016 Not a fan of generators, noisy, smelly. more combustible liquids, one more infernal combustion engine to operate and maintain. But thanks for the thought. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
too_tall 15 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 We have been discussing the option of moving to a Marina for a few months in winter, the cost would be close to that of buying and installing a diesel heater. Plus GH are not accepting liveaboards. (Who does these days?) My reason for asking was because if you had tried using an electric heater and found it sufficient, then a 2.4Kw unit would suffice, if not, a 4Kw unit might be more the requirement. I have on occasion seen the state of the power demand on marinas when people are tinkering on their vessels in the winter - 300 amps per phase is nothing when people turn on heaters. And that is not in a large marina. Scary stuff!. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted December 16, 2016 Author Share Posted December 16, 2016 Angela is pushing the woolly jumpeer plan, but I know heer and she thinks Auckland is colder than she wants to be. So I am trying to avoid a possible issue. 4kw seems to be the number, but more than iu want to spend for what will be one winter. Back to two woolly jumpers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vorpal Blade 89 Posted December 16, 2016 Share Posted December 16, 2016 The bigger question is why go cruising where its cold enough to have to deploy a heater, really?? Ive spent a lot of time in Stewart Island and the southern outying islands but that was working on a commercial fishing boat and while I would consider cruising Stewart island in the summer I can't see any benefits and/or enjoyment being in those latitudes or anywhere that a heater is required. If you want to see icebergs glance in the freezer while filling your glass before conjuring up a nice mojito or something. Whats more when its that cold the butter is hard too spread on toast and Ive never ever seen someone overcome by frostbite while sitting underneath a palm tree. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,586 Posted December 16, 2016 Author Share Posted December 16, 2016 Just circumstances, we wont get away next year, family stuff, can't be helped. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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