Charcoal Heater

kennharriet · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 5:40 pm Post subject: Charcoal Heater

After much research on the various heater options and locations, I am about to install a charcoal heater that a friend fabricated for me on our CD 22. I am planning to install it on the floor, starboard of the captain's position. With some experimentation, the heater will require a 3" flue through the roof, about mid window. I welcome your input before I make the plunge. Is there a better location? I played with it over the counter top, but do not want to sacrifice space there.

It is about as simple as a wood stove and certainly produces adequate dry heat for long duration. I light the charcoal with a can of sterno in the ash pan. Once lit, simply extinguish and remove the sterno can for the next lighting.

http://www.c-brats.com/albums/Lochsa/IMG_0270.thumb.jpg

http://www.c-brats.com/albums/Lochsa/IMG_0271.thumb.jpg

http://www.c-brats.com/albums/Lochsa/IMG_0273.thumb.jpg

Sea Wolf · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

kennharriet-

Nice heater!

Here's a little easier view of the proposed set up:

Side view. Charcoal heater located forward and starboard of captain's chair.

Top view of charcoal heater.

Unmounted charcoal heater.

I'd sure get a fan or two going down there to circulate the heat and cool the area, including my right leg!

Something makes me a little nervous about having a combustion heater down in that cramped space, especially since unlike propane or liquid fuel, shutting off the fuel supply would be a slow process, probably requiring a CO2 carbon dioxide fire extinguisher to cut off the oxygen and cool the charcoal fuel.

Also, that exhaust tube will be 700-1000 degrees Fahrenheit! Should be double walled and insulated. In a rough sea, you'll be branded over and over again, I'd think! The same would be true of the heater body itself. I'd at least build a cage around it.

I'd be much better about the heater mounted up at galley or table-top height, with plenty of space around it.

It is possible to mount some heaters up on the galley top or even above it, or even in he rear corner, as you can see in these installations:

Cabin Interior Photos

I'm sure others will follow with more comments.

Good Luck!

Joe. Teeth

rogerbum · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:47 pm Post subject:

Joe beat me to it. I agree with Joe's comments about worrying about getting burnt by both the unit and the exhaust pipe. I think you'd be much better off giving up a little counter space (as others have done with some other heaters).

Also, with this kind of unit, I'd be much more worried about potential carbon monoxide problems due to leaks, back drafts or other unanticipated issues.

hardee · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject:

All valid concerns. I would think the major concern would be the carbon monoxide poisoning, the the burn possibility and the need for caging it, and then the solid fuel and inability to extinguish at will.

I find that the Wallas does a fine job of keeping the boat warm, and though there are some that don't like them there are as many that do.

Good luck, and be careful,

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

thataway · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:14 pm Post subject:

A long time ago I had one of the "cole stoves"--which was coal, charcoal or wood. Keeping a fuel supply was difficult--charcoal is not a good fuel for a small boat. C O is somewhat mitigated by the stack--but I agree with the others about the risks. I went to diesel and then hydronic heaters in more recent boats.

kennharriet · Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks, I appreciate your collective wisdom. I did not consider the potential CO problem with the exhaust being vented outside. I will reconsider options. That's what is nice about this site, you do not have to reinvent the wheel. Ken

G Gallagher · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:09 am Post subject:

Yeah, sounds to dangerous to me.

SEA3PO · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:23 pm Post subject:

I installed a propane fireplace above the stove in the rear of the boat...but mine was designed to be in a boat... it gets combustion air from outside and also has an air wall between the fire box and the outside of the stove so the outside of the stove (other than the face of it) never gets hot.... (it has an internal fan)...very safe unit.

I would think if you used some of that double wall pipe like I am using so the firebox would get it's combustion air from the outside it would make it much safer.... but the outside of that unit is going to be very hot and will radiate a bunch of heat...will melt and brown anything around it...including anything that accidently falls against it...(you)

Probably will void your insurance as it is not Marine Approved and I am sure the Coast Guard will have some concerns..

Just my thoughts...nice looking work, but I would be afraid to use it...check out my propane installation....I had a marine surveyor help me install it so it would be done properly,

Joel
SEA3PO

kennharriet · Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject:

I like it! I'll look hard at the Dickinson products, either diesel or propane. I did not realize the air intake was from outside through the double wall flue. I also like your mount set-up. We have the two burner Origo, so will need to allow room to lift the lid, which your mounting looks like it would accommodate. I really do want to avoid anything with electronics. Thanks

SENSEI · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 3:37 am Post subject:

I too mounted a propane fireplace in the Sensei.I made some mounting brackets out of aluminum flat bar and bolted them to the wall. here is one pic and more in the Sensei photo album

SENSEI · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 4:01 am Post subject:

right after I posted my last, I went into Craigs List Seattle and there on the first couple of postings was this

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2773583346.html

it is for a dickenson stove and aluminum tank and all the extras

kennharriet · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:15 pm Post subject:

Thank you Sir.

Grumpy · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 2:23 pm Post subject:

I would also have worried about that large a lump of metal that close to my compass.

M

Aurelia · Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2011 3:54 pm Post subject:

Another option minus the compressed gas:

http://www.sigmarine.com/SIG-100.html

kennharriet · Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2011 6:32 pm Post subject:

I really appreciate all the good input, including Retriever's concurrent thread about Wallas problems and other options. The plan now is to install the Dikinson Newport in propane. I can not see a down side other than the initial cost, but then I am cheap. Thanks again for your safety concerns and collective wisdom. Ken