Wallas kerosene heater-only (not cooker) question

Sunbeam

For anyone who has one of the Wallas kerosene heaters (such as the 1300 or 1800) that just heat and don't cook, I would be grateful for your comments on a question I have. I've got a sensitive nose, I dislike the smell of fuel in my "living room" (why I love a boat with an outboard!), and I'm considering a Wallas kerosene heater (the heater-only models which are just basically a box; not the ones that are also a cooker).

My questions:

1) Do you ever smell fuel [kerosene or Kleen Heat] in the cabin? If so, is it (only) when the heater is running? Or is it all the time (maybe from the fuel bottle/hoses/or just .... because it lives in the boat?

2) If you don't ever smell fuel, would you say you have a sensitive nose or that you don't really tend to notice faint odors?

Thanks much! I'm considering the various heating options, and my main question on these particular heaters is this one (because it's one that I can't get from the "specs").

Sunbeam Hot

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:09 pm Post subject:

If properly installed and the fittings are tight you should not ever smell fuel in the cabin. (unless you spill some when refilling the tank). These units use outside air for combustion air and then vent the exhaust out side also. The inside air is heated as it recirculates within the system and is separate from the combustion air.

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your reply - much appreciated Thumbs Up

I went and looked at these units at Scan Marine (very nice and helpful folks), and when they brought me back into the demo area (they have numerous heaters and cooker/heaters on display which can be fired up - it looks sort of like a test kitchen Very Happy

), I could immediately smell fuel (some sort of diesel/kero type scent). I mentioned it, because I wouldn't care for that level of odor in my boat cabin -- but of course the thing is that they are not only burning a bunch of the different model Wallases in that room, they are also filling the tanks, maybe spilling a touch (they suggested this; I'm not just being critical of their precision Wink

), etc. And they added that they don't have great olfactory function themselves, so they actually can't smell it themselves.

I do like the overall concept of the Wallases. I think I'm more of a "separate heater and separate one-burner cooker" sort of person, so I'm considering various heat-only heaters. If the Wallas kero heater-only units don't cause any sort of fuel smell in the cabin, they are definitely on my list of options.

Thanks again, and if anyone else has comments, I'm all ears.

Sunbeam Hot

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:27 pm Post subject:

Not a lot of differences twixt the heaters and the cookers as far as operation goes I don't think. We've had both and if they operate right, you smell nothing. I have the same sensitivities/allergies too.

I also have Phoebephobia... Rolling Eyes

Charlie

For those unfamiliar with the last one, its "the fear of large girls named Phoebe"... Mr. Green

On edit... You posted while I struggled on an ipad...my experience was with one device at a time in an enclosed cabin... Thumbs Up

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 3:37 pm Post subject:

Anna Leigh,

If you happen to look back at this thread, could I ask you another question? Do you have one of the Wallas kero heaters? (I looked in your album - you've made a lot of really nice mods! - but only saw a Webasto; wasn't sure if maybe you had changed or had a Wallas on the 22' Anna Leigh).

What I'm wondering is specifically how "blowy" the 1300/1800 are. I know that's really subjective, and I can see they are forced air heat - so obviously the heat will be arriving in the cabin via fan - but I'm guessing some types/models may be more forceful in the "drafty" way than others.

(At home I'm a fan of radiant heat, such as a wood stove, but they're not super practical on a 22! I am considering something like a Wave 3/6, for the radiance factor; but then they have other disadvantages. Definitely no perfect solution, so I have to choose my best compromise.)

Thanks again,
Sunbeam

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 4:43 pm Post subject:

I put an Eco-fan on the wallas stove and it blows heat all over with no further use of electricity...

Sunbeam · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:14 pm Post subject:

Alyssa Jean · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 5:17 pm Post subject:

I have the Webasto. But both brands basically work the same.

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2012 9:46 pm Post subject:

I really wouldn't call the Eco-fan "forced air". It's more of an "air distribution system". No noise, no electricity, no whirring noise. Have you seen\tried one in any application?

Charlie

Sunbeam · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:37 am Post subject:

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:53 am Post subject:

Sunbeam · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 11:32 am Post subject:

Discovery · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:19 pm Post subject:

The Eco Fan works by setting it on a hot surface, like the Wallas glass top or a woodstove top. It won't work unless it's base is heated. I don't see how it would help a ducted heater.

ghone · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 8:48 pm Post subject:

Having used a portable heater and been on the road thru some cool, wet times, I would seriously entertain a forced air system like webasto or espar. The cabin is simple to heat, one outlet would be fine. I would consider getting 2 into the bunk to combat moisture buildup in there. Our bunk is proving well ventilated on the bottom with the vinyl house soffit I put in. The sides and foot are challenging. If we can keep the overhead hatch open a half inch it really helps. I have been thinking of an espar with an outlet under the foot of the berth and overhead at the wiring bulkhead and one in the cabin. This is if we are unsuccessful in our current quest to find warm spots to cruise. My experience with the forced air units is in most cases, smell free. Good installation and attention to leaks is important. Good luck with the install. George

Robbi · Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:40 pm Post subject:

I have the 1300 in my 16 foot cruiser. Under certain conditions I can smell the exhaust which has a Kerosene smell. My guess is that the open nature of the 16 and the small size, contributes to this. There is a drop curtain which I have open much of the time and not a door like in a 22. The thru hull exit is just forward of the window, which I sometimes open when I am fishing. I would think that the smell would not be noticeable in the 22. I can not smell the fuel in the tank even when I'm in the V-berth with my head only a few feet from the tank. H
I think this maybe be an apples to oranges thing. Hopefully someone with a 22 cruiser that has a 1300 or an 1800 will better answer your questions.

Robbi