Help - Condensation/heather

The manual for the 22 model states one primary guiding statement that leads the 12in loop drawing in significance. They say the top of the loop has to always be above the water. On many boats, that is likely possible with less than a 12in rise. Especially if your through hull outlet is also elevated above the water line to begin with and you are not a healing/sailing vessel.

Greg
 
I have never understood why so many people are so willing to pay 4K for a heater that is famous for never working. I have been using a mr buddy heater for the last three years. It will heat you out of the cabin, Makes no noise, and starts easily every time. (And yes it is approved for indoor use.) Originally bought it just to get me through the winter until I could afford a better option. Now I don't know if I will ever get rid of it. I built a wooden tray to keep it under the bed where it fits perfectly and stays out of the way and never moves.
 
The small 1300 Wallas unit runs about 1500 dollars and many folks have installed other forced air units for less than 1k. We also have a buddy type heater and it was nice added warmth on our lund but is just not in the same league as forced air heat in an enclosed pilot house.

If you are pretty happy with the buddy for your needs, stick with it and be sure to ventilate the interior space your are heating to stay safe. Once you experience the heat of one of the pricier units. It is hard to go back.

Greg
 
The issue with the Mr Buddy and other propane / alcohol heaters is that it adds considerable water vapor to the cabin. It made my window condensation problem worse.

The webasto I added to my CD25 was, by far, the best investment I made in that boat. That heater coupled with two overhead console mounted fans ended the window condensation problems for good.
 
What Rob said about Mr Buddy and similar propane fired heaters which exhaust combustion products into the cabin. In a mild climate, the excess water vapor may not be an issue. In a cold climate, window condensation is going to be much worse than any other choice.

Capt. Meares is on the coast of OR, near me, where a cold day in winter is around 40 or so. And, I bet there are a lot of windows open for safe venting.

I use mr. Buddy style heaters in my boat shed, which has no insulation, and lots of venting through the open soffit vents. They work well there. I like them for that use.
 
I have a Little Buddy heater. We only use it a couple of times a year at most. While a built in heater would be nice, it is not really worth the trouble and expense to get one. We use an air conditioner a whole lot more.

I have a small electric heater that we use when AC power is available, but again, we use it very infrequently.
 
We have a Coleman version of the Buddy heater; propane ceramic. It works and we use it out in the cockpit when the camperback is up. (The Admiral has a very low threshold for being "cold") We also have a nice electric heater for when we are at a dock w/ power.

The only way I can convince The Admiral to boat more than just summer is via H.E.A.T. The Wallas cooktop/heater came with the boat. I think it would be sufficient in a more southern climate. But the PNW...nope. I bought a $25 stainless, single burner, butane stove from Costco for cooking and it works perfectly. Plus, when not in use, we store it under galley.

Hence, my search for a one time install furnace alternative.
 
Aurelia":2597a662 said:
The manual for the 22 model states one primary guiding statement that leads the 12in loop drawing in significance. They say the top of the loop has to always be above the water. On many boats, that is likely possible with less than a 12in rise. Especially if your through hull outlet is also elevated above the water line to begin with and you are not a healing/sailing vessel.

Greg
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I'm going to do some measuring and see...I don't think I have nearly enough clearance under there, though.

I thought the 12" a little on the conservative side, but it's what the manufacturer advises. You may have a point in that the entire unit is above the water line to begin with in our boat design. Not installed in some bilge/engine room somewhere below decks.
 
I believe I will go with the 22GB to be ordered next week and self-installed the week of thanksgiving. If the plan goes as thought I will take pictures and video and post full install on here.
 
Ordutch1975":234hh0r8 said:
I believe I will go with the 22GB to be ordered next week and self-installed the week of thanksgiving. If the plan goes as thought I will take pictures and video and post full install on here.
Click to expand...

I bet you'll be very happy with that unit, and looking forward to your write-up and photos! I liked the look of its specs/features as well but at $2500 (plus tax in WA), it was a lot more than I wanted to spend. Initially you mentioned the desire for "reasonable priced" so I think that's why there was a lot of feedback for the 1300, Webasto, Espar, etc.

Sounds like you have another source for Wallas (??) but if you do order from the authorized rep in Seattle, they are a great resource, very helpful, and they have everything in-stock (my kit arrived on the doorstep on Friday after placing the order at 3 PM on a Thursday!).

Enjoy the nice dry heat and winter boating!

-Mike
 
Ordutch1975":1u84diyv said:
C-Dude":1u84diyv said:
My Espar D2 definitely has external fresh air intake, not recirculated intake. I just installed it this spring. It is a separate intake hose that is routed outside of the cabin and feeds into the intake on the heater..
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Ok sorry was getting confused - apparently the espar temp sensor is in the unit not the remote which seems a bit whacky. So I guess the D2 vs the 22GB Wallas - which way would you go?

H
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I have been happier with my Espar heaters and had more issues with Wallas. That is just my personal experience.
 
during overnights we would have so much condensation it literally took several towels to wipe the ceiling and Windows. Wasn't a big deal just something we got accustomed to.
 
during overnights we would have so much condensation it literally took several towels to wipe the ceiling and Windows. Wasn't a big deal just something we got accustomed to.
 
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