Installing a heater (Updated with pics)

[Challenger84]

I've been doing some research and cant find anything on installing a heat for my father's boat..

I'm thinking about using the cooling system from the engine to produce the heat.
Example..
Install a "radiator" inline with the cooling system.


My thinking was to run the line from the cooling system where the HOT water exits the boat and have it go through a "radiator" with a fan on the back of it to blow the hot air through out the cabin and have it back to the cooling lines a little cooler to exit the sytem..
I'm not sure if i am explaining this correctly (which is maybe the reason i can't find anything on it)

Has anyone done something like this?
Is there something out there that would make doing this easier?
Any draw backs with running a system like this?

 

[thumpar]

What engine does it have? Most I/O or inboards this will not be a problem to do. I was going to do it on my last boat but sold it first.

 

[Alumarine]

As Thumpar said, pretty straight forward if you have a Inboard or I/O.

Google 12 volt Auxiliary Heater.

They come as a unit with heat exchanger and fan.
Lot's of options.
Iboats might have them.

 

[Challenger84]

What engine does it have? Most I/O or inboards this will not be a problem to do. I was going to do it on my last boat but sold it first.

It's an I/O engine 5.7 merc.


I'm thinking that this would not effect the cooling of the engine in anyway because the hot water would have been ran through the system already..
I will be constructing a box to close off the radiator and have a blower hooked up and only blow HOT air when switched on..

Do you knbow if anyone's done this before?
I think i wil need to get a Radiator with a high enough flow rate so that it will not restrict the flow of the cooling system..
If this works out i might do it to my boat..
It would be nice to be warm and cozy after getting out of the water from skiing and boarding.. or just boating/fishing on chilly days..

again this will only work while engine is running.

 

[Challenger84]

As Thumpar said, pretty straight forward if you have a Inboard or I/O.

Google 12 volt Auxiliary Heater.

They come come as a unit with heat exchanger and fan.
Lot's of options.
Iboats might have them.

Boom!
that's exactly what i'm looking to do..
thanks a bunch!

Looks easy enough to just buy the unit and save time and money..

Most likely do this to my boat as well.
The mrs. would definetly appreciate the warmth in cooler weather.

I'll look on iBoats for a unit!

 

[Bondo]

It's an I/O engine 5.7 merc.

Ayuh,.... On the intake manifold, just aft of the t-stat housin', there should be a 1/2" pipe plug,...
Remove it, 'n install a nipple, 1/2" pipe to 3/4" hose,...
That's yer hot water feed,...

On the circulatin' water pump, there should be a 1/2" pipe plug,....
Remove it, 'n install a nipple, 1/2" pipe to 5/8" hose,...
That's yer return water port,...

That gives ya the hottest water at the t-stat, 'n returns it to a low pressure point, so it'll circulate any time the motor is runnin',....

Keep the heater mounted low, 'n no droops, 'n loops in the lines to, 'n from,....

The main draw back is, if ya boat in dirty water, the heater core will eventually plug up,...
An annual reverse flush outa take care of it,....

 

[alldodge]

+1 with Bondo, this is currently how hot water heaters are hooked up in boats. Engine heats the hot water while running.

 

[Challenger84]

Ayuh,.... On the intake manifold, just aft of the t-stat housin', there should be a 1/2" pipe plug,...
Remove it, 'n install a nipple, 1/2" pipe to 3/4" hose,...
That's yer hot water feed,...

On the circulatin' water pump, there should be a 1/2" pipe plug,....
Remove it, 'n install a nipple, 1/2" pipe to 5/8" hose,...
That's yer return water port,...

That gives ya the hottest water at the t-stat, 'n returns it to a low pressure point, so it'll circulate any time the motor is runnin',....

Keep the heater mounted low, 'n no droops, 'n loops in the lines to, 'n from,....

The main draw back is, if ya boat in dirty water, the heater core will eventually plug up,...
An annual reverse flush outa take care of it,....

This is the information i was looking for! thank you Bondo

 

[mr 88]

Just installed one in my boat. I also use it to heat the hot water tank. Picked up two bronze Y - valve from the hardware store for feed and return, with on/off levers on each Y . That way I can stop the flow to either unit or have both shut down in the summer. Also if a problem develops it eliminates having anti-freeze all over the place with my closed cooling system.

 

[Challenger84]

Just installed one in my boat. I also use it to heat the hot water tank. Picked up two bronze Y - valve from the hardware store for feed and return, with on/off levers on each Y . That way I can stop the flow to either unit or have both shut down in the summer. Also if a problem develops it eliminates having anti-freeze all over the place with my closed cooling system.

Great idea with the shut off valve.. Great information!
mr 88 do you have an pictures of the unit installed?
if not i think i can locate some online somewhere..

 

[mr 88]

Not up to speed on posting pictures. Basically as mentioned by bondo ,two hoses, in and out, with a Y valve off each hose. In your case just a in line shut off valve is needed.Other wise you may find unwanted heat drifting out of the heater core in the summer.I got my unit from summit racing.com [ Maradyne SUM 001102-1 ] that has two 3" male extrusions on the front face plate of the unit so you can hook up flexible ducting to it if you want the heat in a specific area and also came with a 3 way switch.Has a adjustable base bracket that makes it easy to mount in any direction.

 

[rallyart]

They are sold on site here. Heater Craft make very good and simple units. If you have an open boat I would strongly recommend getting "hot tubes' rather than vents. I have installed two in my 21' boat (in series) and my family thinks they are an essential addition. Plumbing and wiring are easy. Mounting the heater out of the way is a bit trickier. Mine are under the gunnel behind the seat backs and screwed to boards glued to the hull.

Put shutoffs on both the inlet and outlet side so you can run without if the core fails. Add drains at low points on the lines so you can winterize more easily.

The engine has to be running at 1500 RPM or higher to get enough flow to get hat water through the heater. To work closer to idle you need to return the water just before the impeller which is much more difficult than the normal way, as described by Bondo. Once you install one you will enjoy coming out from a swim much more, and on any chillier day. Remember to get "Hot Tubes". I have 4 tubes and 2 vents on my system with 2 heaters (3 series).

 

[Challenger84]

They are sold on site here. Heater Craft make very good and simple units. If you have an open boat I would strongly recommend getting "hot tubes' rather than vents. I have installed two in my 21' boat (in series) and my family thinks they are an essential addition. Plumbing and wiring are easy. Mounting the heater out of the way is a bit trickier. Mine are under the gunnel behind the seat backs and screwed to boards glued to the hull.

Put shutoffs on both the inlet and outlet side so you can run without if the core fails. Add drains at low points on the lines so you can winterize more easily.

The engine has to be running at 1500 RPM or higher to get enough flow to get hat water through the heater. To work closer to idle you need to return the water just before the impeller which is much more difficult than the normal way, as described by Bondo. Once you install one you will enjoy coming out from a swim much more, and on any chillier day. Remember to get "Hot Tubes". I have 4 tubes and 2 vents on my system with 2 heaters (3 series).

I'm not familiar with hot tubes.. I'll google it (I got it)
I wont need to WINTERIZE the boat cause it never gets below freezing here in Southern California
Looks like a easy enough project.
I have space underneath my back bench seat for my boat that would fit 2 units.
Space is not an issue for my pops boat.

 

[rallyart]

You probably only need to install one but if you have space for a second you can add that later if you want more. Good luck.

 

[Challenger84]

You probably only need to install one but if you have space for a second you can add that later if you want more. Good luck.

Thanks.
You are probably right.
I think I will do the install for both boats.
It'll be a GREAT Xmas gift for pops.
He will be able to enjoy the boat in the Bay on Cooler days. (he lives in SF)
I found a unit that will produce 40,000 BTU's for under $200. It has 3 outlets that I can run 3 inch hoses to different parts of the cabin.
​I don't know why ALL boats don't come with this or as an option.
I'm sure this would be a great selling point if you have a buyer that's trying to decide between one boat or another or at least for me it would be.

Ill post up updates when I get a chance to do the install.
I'm sure i'll be back with some questions for the install.

Thank you everyone that chimed in with helpful advice.

 

[H20Rat]

Lots of wake boats come with heaters exactly like you describe! Basically just a radiator that the hot water runs through before it leaves the boat. I would recommend against any unit with a 12v electric heating element. It takes A LOT of power to make heat, and generally boats don't have that much excess power capacity, even most I/O's with a marine alternator. It is far more efficient to use waste heat instead.

http://www.boat-heaters.com/17-2h-co...kit-203hc.html

 

[Challenger84]

No Title

SO Everything came in the mail and i'm ready to tackle the install.
Which plug do I remove to get Hot water? #1 or #2 or am I way off ?

 

[Challenger84]

No Title



These are the parts that came in the mail.
I hope I didn't forget anything.

The Heater is a 40,000btu; heater. 3 settings switch for Low Med. and High Heat options. $200
Heater Hose ordered (x2) 6feet each @ 5/8 inch $20
2 brass valves $20
2 pipe to hose fittings 1/2" to 5/8" $10
and some clamps $5
3 inch ducting tube @ 25 feet $15
Total $260 for all the parts..
Staying warm and extending the boating season...and not having to hear the Mrs. complain about being cold........ PRICELESS

 

[Challenger84]

No Title

Is this where I would "exhaust" the used hot water from the heater?
in the picture there is a brass fitting.. and that's what I am referring to..

 

[alldodge]

Use plug 2 for the hot water feed

Can use either a Tee fitting in the return hose or remove the plug on starboard side of water pump if it's there. Never said what year the 5.7 is.


Cooling manual starts do not use hose larger then 5/8