Cabin heat ideas

[chuck in WA]

I'm still a long way from this aspect of my project. But I happened to be thinking about it tonight so I figured I'd post.

I'd like to install some type of cabin heater in the pictured boat when I get around to doing the interior. Likely the engine coolant exchanger type. Something like this would be a store-bought version: http://www.great-water.com/pages/QL/Air-heater/QL-33-05-12.htm

Have you guys seen or heard of any other options? What about some kind of DIY setup made from an old small engine radiator and fan? Ideas?

I'll probably avoid the electric type heater so I don't have to support the current draw, and a diesel heater would seem to be overkill on my small boat. I don't expect to need heat when the engine is not running anyway. Thanks!

 

[legoman67]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

DIY setup made from an old small engine radiator and fan?

you got it! thats all car heaters are....

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

pricey! check out

http://www.princessauto.com/truck-t...eaters/4240004-21000-btu-12v-auxiliary-heater

Same idea, but much cheaper.

Have you looked into how much current is drawn from a 12 volt auxiliary heater for a car? I used to have one in my truck for those cold days (i took the heater core out) and it ran no problem keeping the truck warm. It musn't have drawn that much electricity, running on 12 volts.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

Likely the engine coolant exchanger type. Something like this would be a store-bought version:

Ayuh,.... Been there, Done it, Got the T-shirt to prove it....

I prefer shoppin' at a junkyard though...
I used the cab heater out of an R model Mack,... Small,+ Efficient...
Water To the heater comes outa the intake manifold, near the T-Stat,+ returns to the extra port on the circulating waterpump...

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

If you are as "thrifty" as I am, you might want to look at something like the Coleman ProCat flameless camping heaters that run off the green propane bottles:

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=5053A751&categoryid=3000&brand=

We've got one that we use in our popup tent trailer. It's very nice.

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

I thought about that too, but the chance of it getting knocked over in a boat... Made the whole idea really scary. Especially in my wooden boat lol.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

Propane radiant heater suck! They give radiant heat for outdoors, not for a boat. They smell too bad and are dangerous. A car heater core in a home made enclosure with a car fan, then remote mount it. Run some kind to tubing out of it and to the areas you want it to blow.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

do not forget an assessable valve to turn water off in summer.

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

Yup, I'm definitely thrifty (my wife says "cheap").

Chargerboy, I like the one in the link you posted - may even be within budget! I did some reading on 12 volt boat elec. systems awhile ago, and while I don't remember the exact figures, I do remember that an electric heater setup would draw more current than I'd like to support in the boat, so I dismissed the idea at the time. My idea is to make this boat simple, reliable, low maintenance, and inexpensive.

Like Bondo, I like the idea of a custom DIY setup too. I would also prefer that it's built in, not freestanding (the cabin is pretty small as it is already, so I'd like to save space). Finding a radiator small enough to mount in the boat, yet large enough to provide sufficient heat, may be the challenge here. Bondo, how large is/was the cabin that was heated by your Mack truck heater? Could the heater create enough warmth?

Tashasdaddy, good tip about the shutoff valve. Over 50,000 posts? Yikes!

 

[chargerboy]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

Putting too large of a radiator will give you diminishing returns... you won't be able to get the heat out of it properly. Stick with a smaller radiator, if you decide to go that way. You won't need much, look at the size of a regular heater core in a big van as an example. Only about 10 inches by 6 inches by 1 inch deep.

I recommend going with a purpose built unit, it will be a cleaner setup, and more efficient. If you don't mind paying a few bucks.

 

[chuck in WA]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

Well, I ended up buying one of these from Craigslist today:

http://www.heatercraft.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=702-H2

It only provides about 10,000 BTUs, which is quite a bit less than most other models, so hopefully it will generate enough heat for the cabin. No idea really, but for 50 bucks I figured it's worth a try. The unit is in excellent shape, so we'll see.

 

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

pricey! check out

http://www.princessauto.com/truck-t...eaters/4240004-21000-btu-12v-auxiliary-heater

Same idea, but much cheaper.

Have you looked into how much current is drawn from a 12 volt auxiliary heater for a car? I used to have one in my truck for those cold days (i took the heater core out) and it ran no problem keeping the truck warm. It musn't have drawn that much electricity, running on 12 volts.

I am currently setting up one of those Princess Auto heaters in my boat, fairly simple setup, just need a supply and return line to the heater and a source of power for the fan and they can push out some serious heat.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Cabin heat ideas

There is a very big difference of heat ouput between a heater core and a radiator.
They are both designed to disapate heat but a radiator is designed to get rid of the heat faster but will work as a heater but that does not make it the best for one. ( main reason is air will pass thru the radiator to fast for it to warm up enough to be worth while).
A heater core is designed to slow down the air passing thru it to take as much of the heat from the coolant and transfer it to air passing thru it.
( Same idea as a cast iron wood stoves ).

You could use a radiator to accomplish this but it would require the use of an old style radiator like the ones you would find on a 57 chev. They are called a cellular core design.

Go to your nearest big Truck and Bus wreckers and get a complete heater box from a retired school bus. The only down side to this is chances are the heater core inside the box might be corroded inside from years of use.

If you are intent on installing a heater don't waist your time playing with used stuff and buy new. It will save you time and will be trouble free.

You can get complete units from any big Truck dealers i.e. Frietliner, Peterbuilt, Mack or if in Canada Princess Auto.

As Tashasdaddy posted make sure you intall shut off valves at the motor. That is right 2 shut offs. One at the input and the other at the output conections of the motor. Get good ball type valves.