Which heater?

San Juanderer,

How is the sound level between the Wallas and the Webasto model you have? My one complaint about the Webasto "type" (although I don't know which model) is how loud the exhaust is when I'm in an anchorage with a boat running one. I don't want to subject others to that coming from my boat (and of course I want a quiet heater in my own boat as well).

I haven't researched the "others" (Webasto, Espar, etc.) lately, so don't know what might have changed. I don't know anything about the EVO model from Webasto. Always happy to learn though.

Thanks,
Sunbeam
 
We put in a Espar D-2 heater a few years ago. There is a sub album in our boats photo album if that's of any interest to you. We bought the truck version and purchased the marine items to complete the project. If I remember correctly the Espar has a rubber mounted fuel pump which cut down on the fuel pump noise. We never slept with the heater running. So we never saw the power hungry part be an issue. Our berth was insulated and we had the comforter combination to keep us toasty. The heater was noisy like a miniature jet engine. They do make mufflers for them but in a small boat application the room to install it can be come an issue. Plus the muffler basically just changes the tone they are still noisy because the way they are designed to work. The plus side is they do heat up pretty quickly and we would get everything warmed up while the coffee was brewing then get dressed accordingly for the days weather. I would buy one again. We just used the standard controller not the thermostat type. For that reason we just ran ours on high got everything toasty and then normally would shut it off. We did occasionally leave it run while we cruised if the weather warranted it. Because of some of the horror stories that some folks had we steered clear of anything with a name that started with Wa. JMHO here
D.D.
 
The 40 EVO replaces the Air Top 3500. On start up the fan sequence does have a robust blowing noise, must have something to do with the Webasto starting method. But unlike the Wallas, it has never miss fired. Once up to running temp, the controller can be dialed down and the air noise is barely perceptable.
To me, I like to have choices. Just google Wallas, nothing comes up regarding replacement parts, and purchase price options.
alan
 
Thanks for the additional input on the sound level.

San Juanderer: I knew the Wallas combination stove/heaters could be tempermental, but I had never heard anything similar about their "pure" heaters, so I was thinking they were pretty robust. Maybe I should do a bit more research.

Although I like choice, I'm okay with only having Scan as a source, IF the Wallas heater is quiet and robust. Otherwise... no.
 
Rain":2w71y50k said:
I am going with a Wallas 1300. Hope it displays all the positives mentioned here and none of the negatives. :)
Click to expand...

I think that is a good choice and should fit well in the 23. I have thought about going that route if the Wallas 95 goes belly up.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

1_10_2012_from_Canon_961.highlight.jpg
 
Rain":3a2vz65k said:
I am going with a Wallas 1300. Hope it displays all the positives mentioned here and none of the negatives. :)
Click to expand...

I put one of those in my 2006 CC Venture 23. We loved it. We spent a month on the boat in S.E. Alaska shortly after I installed it. The heater was a definite hit with the First Mate. In the morning, I could reach the heater switch while I was still under the covers in the V-berth. By the time I got up, turned the (Wallas :)) stove on, and made coffee, the cabin was toasty. It was in the 40's and wet much of that trip, but the boat stayed dry and as warm as we wanted it inside. Previous Inside Passage trips under similar weather conditions but pre-heater, had produced a lot more moisture in the cabin and V-berth. The 1300 is very quiet and we often left it on all day. The combination of the stove at mid height on the starboard side of the cabin and the heater down lower on the port side made it possible to really warm the cabin even on very cold winter cruises.

I know Wallas is not everyone's cup of tea, but 8+ years of very heavy, and completely trouble-free use of the Wallas kerosene stove made the choice of the 1300 pretty easy for me. I think the Wallas products are great. I did pay attention to how I turned them on and off, to fuel condition, and to voltage (especially at start), and as I say, I had zero problems. Nada. Zip.

BTW, the guys at SCAN Marine were incredibly patient and helpful as I agonized over my installation. I put the heater behind the table, against the port side. I picked that location in part for reasons that may be largely unique to my boat, i.e., the under-counter space on the starboard side was already pretty crowded with electronics and controls mostly related to my twin engine and twin helm set-up. Also, as noted above, having the heater and the stove on opposite sides has its advantages. There's a sub-album on the 1300 installation in my photo album.

I think you made a great choice. Best of luck.
 
So the other day I was down at the boat working on putting some memory foam into the v-birth and a neighbor says hello. Long story short - he has a DT 40 in his boat. I was really surprised as to how quite not only the heater but most importantly the exhaust was. I was standing not two feet from the boat and couldn't hear the exhaust. Now our marina backs to a busy street but still being only two feet away and not hearing it was a shock. Makes moving forward and installing the DT-30 a real solid choice for me. Other than a minor electrical issue he is having he said he would install the unit again if met with the same choice.
Sometime in December I'll be getting mine installed and will report back.
 
After examining the boat, which I picked up yesterday, and looking for the optimal space to install a Wallas 1300, I have decided to go with the Wallas stove/heater combination. The Kenyon Kiss Cook Top isn't worth much, but I managed to get $150 trade in for it. I have also heard that it is hard to find butane for them. This decision only adds $150 to what I would have spent adding the Wallas 1300, saves considerable space, and eliminates the need for finding and carrying butane. I don't care much about how the Wallas cooks, but hope it will keep the cabin warm! Thanks for all the input.
 
I installed the propane heater with the viewing window...so you can see the fire inside.... and it is really kool for wine and cheese in the boat.... but I don't boat in any really cold places... I like to be warm.. The conversion of my lazerett made it possible to hold 2,5 gallons of propane safely ...I have never used my stove or heater long enough to figure out what my consumption is...I think it is probably good for a week out... it does not appear to use much at all.... it is a small fire and I never crank it up as the weather has never been so bad I needed to....

I mounted it in the corner by the stove top using cut down stansions that I bought at a boat salvage place.... I was worried that it would be in the way and affect my rear vision...but it does not at all...my head does not crank that far back... it has a internal fan that blows warm air and it seems to warm the cabin well... plus it is a hoot to watch... check it out, I don't think it would be good enough for Alaska weather but other than that it works fine...

Joel
SEA3PO
 
SEA3PO: Your lazarette locker propane mod is fantastic. If I go for a "real" propane system, I'm going to shamelessly copy it! (This depends on what fuel I choose for a heater, and that's still undecided.) It's a fantastic mod.
 
**BUMPING AN OLD THREAD**

I finally got my Dickinson Newport P12000 heater installed! So excited! My boat already has a dedicated propane system onboard so it seemed like a good marriage. I have a propane locker in the cockpit with the shutoffs, solenoid, lines etc (my galley stove is a Force 10). Also have a hardwired propane sniffer and 2 CO detectors inside the salon.

Anyway, here are a few pics. I'm very happy with it so far. It won't be as effective in heating the boat as a diesel heater but it has another quality which I absolutely love and don't mind trading the loss of BTU's for....It's like having a fireplace on the boat!!! Nice open flame and big viewing window.



20180415_174348_1.sized.jpg


20180415_180634.sized.jpg
 
Do you have a solenoid valve on the propane tank, coupled with sniffers in the bottom of the bilge, under the propane heater and the galley stove? There should be a solenoid valve that cuts off the propane tank unless you are using it.

A boat like yours is different than a C Dory, and has a bilge where fumes can collect. Open flame, and propane....
 
The solenoid/shutoffs are brand new and are located in the propane locker (cockpit).

http://dickinsonmarine.com/product/2-ap ... -solenoid/


The propane sniffer (hardwired) display is mounted on the galley floor. I'm not sure if the display unit is the sniffer? I'd be willing to bet that the Camano factory placed the sensor where it would be the most effective...

I'm aware that propane is heavier than air so it could accumulate in the lowest depression (bilge). I feel safe with the install but I understand that burning propane is much more dangerous than diesel.

I'll definitely be monitoring everything. And I probably will never run the Dickinson while I'm sleeping.........
 
There should be sniffers in the bottom of the bilge, behind the stove, and under the heater. The display or switch module is not the sniffer. You need to verify these. There should be shut off switch in the main cabin...So when you turn off the heater or stove, the solenoid is closed.

The sensor or sniffer elements have a life span of 5 years and should be replaced every 5 years. Hoses from the sealed propane locker, which drains overboard, should be one piece of hose from the connectors in the locker to the appliance--no bulkhead fittings, no "El" or T's. Separate hose for each appliance from the locker.

Unfortunately I have seen all too many boats go "Boom" or burn. Nice to have a fire extinguisher--but what if you have to use it on the stove, or a fire at coupling next to the stove--or if you have to evacuate the boat, if a fire at the stove? My role in all of this had been to treat the burn, or result of trauma due to explosion.

Take care
 
Yes, I have a propane switch in the cabin (well actually it's in the galley). That's the main switch, so I'm assuming that's for the solenoid. The appliances won't work unless that switch is on.

As to the sniffer......I'm sure they are original! So 18 years old. Thanks, I'll look into that. I'll probably just end up buying a couple brand new units instead of refurbing my current one.

As to the appliances: Yes, each appliance has their own line. And the Dickinson appliance line is brand new. But regardless of that there still is a split because I'm running 2 appliances from one 30 lb tank. I'm using the recommended fitting from Dickinson.
 
you got good feedback. I'm a big fan of the gravity fed diesel drip variety, and there are several options. If you've ever been on a boat that needs batteries to make heat out of diesel fuel and not had the batteries, the frustrations are indelible. You can get passive results from a propane stove as well regardless of the height of the tank, but lots more potential for trouble with propane, and serious considerations must be taken for tank venting and fuel spills (yes I know propane is a gas, trust me, it spills and can kill you on a boat whether it ignites or not).
 
Back
Top