Heater off engine

[charleswmoore]

Has anyone had experience diverting engine coolant for cabin heat? I have a 2000 V/P with<br />closed system cooling (Engine only) and would like to plum in a heater for the cabin. Question is I see V/P makes a hot water nipple for this function but my engine to cabin run will be <br />almost 25 feet away. Will the engine mounted water pump circulate the coolant that far away<br />or will I have to mount the aux heater core closer to engine and duct the warm air?

 

[Norm Malcosky]

Re: Heater off engine

Charles,<br />My experience with hydronic hot water systems suggests that it would be more efficient to move the hot water to the cabin - instead of hot air. Air is much more difficult to move, unless you have large ducts already in place.<br /><br />I would suggest you try the engine circulation pump to see if you have enough water circulation for the job. Keep in mind large pipes (hoses) work better, but loose more heat.{i.e. insulate the hoses well.} Hopefully, you will not need an auxilary circulation pump.

 

[Tom 47]

Re: Heater off engine

I have seen hot water heat on work boats on the Chesapeake bay the use heaters made for school buses. <br />They work quite well you hook them into the system the same as a car heater. The system will require additional coolent.

 

[charleswmoore]

Re: Heater off engine

Thanks guys, I also checked with the local radiator shop and they indicated that no problem. I have ordered the hot water kit from volvo so I'm on the way. I feel my feet getting warmer already

 

[jam39vw995]

Re: Heater off engine

This is something we are trying as well. We pulled a small heater core out of a car and I stripped it down and hooked up the fan etc. and it blows a fair amount of air. We are liking the fact we might have heat but the main consideration on the west coast of Canada is defrosting/clearing the windshield so we can see where we are going. This boat is used year round to commute.<br />Once the heater hoses were hooked up there was little if any water flow.<br />Could we have an air lock? We are still going to try to get this to work even if we need to buy a circulating pump. We tried an electric heater but it was useless.<br />Any other options/information would be helpful.<br /><br />thanks.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[loadnet]

Re: Heater off engine

Somebody educate me.<br /><br />What happens to copper tubing (utilized in automotive heaters) when you run salt water thru them?<br /><br />Not talking fresh water... I'm talking salt.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[jam39vw995]

Re: Heater off engine

Saltwater will rot the heater core in no time flat. <br /><br />This boat and I hope the others have a closed cooling system where fresh water and coolant are used.<br /><br />Good point though.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[Bondo]

Re: Heater off engine

1 Thought for Both of you........<br />The Heater Core(ei.water-flow) Must be Below the system Fill Cap for the Best Flow........ If it's Above the Fill Cap, it must be Bled to create a siphon effect....<br />Also, the water flows From the blockport To the waterpump port.......<br />And, I've seen School Bus heaters that were Atleast 25' from the motor with No additional pumps........

 

[jam39vw995]

Re: Heater off engine

Thanks for the information. This should work well.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[jam39vw995]

Re: Heater off engine

I thought I would post an update.<br /><br />My friend hooked up the the heater core, hoses etc. to the engine. He ran the hoses from the engine up the port side gunnel into the v berth. Unfortunately he didn't cut the hose so there is a big loop in it. :-/ some people really need a smack upside the head. LOL<br />He wired a cigarette lighter adaptor to use for power and ran a flexible dryer hose up to the dash/windshield.<br />At idle and low cruising speeds very little heat is felt and low fan output. A hotter thermostat is probably needed. At cruise or WOT it blows a lot of air and it's HOT. But even with cold air blowing out it was still enough to clear the windshield.<br /><br />Now all we need to fix is the low fan and heat output at idle. Does anyone know if this boat, a '71 Sangster with a Merc 165, has an alternator or generator? It seems like a gen. because there is no charging at idle.<br /><br />thanks for all the tips.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[airman]

Re: Heater off engine

Not certain, but I think the 165 is similar to the 470 with a bizarre system of rotating magnets and a stator coil built into the harmonic balancer. It's terrible. You can buy a kit to replace it with an alternator. I built my own for a lot less. If you build your own, make sure you get a (shielded) marine alternator unless you like seeing fireworks up close.

 

[jam39vw995]

Re: Heater off engine

Thanks airman,<br /><br />It sure was nice to have heat. We'll deal with the charging system too.<br /><br />Jeff