Vented Cabin Heaters

[CoachPotato]

I've blown a small fortune on vented cabin heaters for my 22' C-Dory Anglers. The first one was a very troublesome Scan vented heater or which even the Scandinavian maker and US distributor couldn't agree was the best fuel. I had lots of trouble with it. After five times pulling it out for repairs I left it out. Then I installed a Toyotomi vented heater and although it was trouble free, it was noisy with it's chunk-chunk sound all night as it pumped fuel.

In the new C-Dory I tried an unvented catalytic propane heater and it produced too much combustion by-product. It soaked the interior of the boat with moisture, and set off the CO alarm if I tried to run it on high.

This past week I installed a vented catalytic propane heater. I ran it for two hours with the cabin closed up tight, and didn't accumulate a drop of moisture. And the CO alarm didn't go off. The next test is an overnighter on the Delta to chase sturgeon and see how it does in real life. It's supposed to use only 1/8 lb of propane per hour, and that's almost unbelievable. I'll let y'all know after my next trip.

If you're interested in a cabin heater, the heater homepage is Product I have the small one.

Photos of my installation are on my homepage, here (scroll to the bottom):

The New C-Dory Projects | FishWisher's Home Page

(Not to worry; I'm not selling anything.)

 

[boatpoker]

Re: Vented Cabin Heaters

Don't tell your insurance company you've put one of those in your boat. they don't come close to meeting ABYC standards.

 

[CoachPotato]

Re: Vented Cabin Heaters

poker, I'm not concerned about ABYC. I have a vented and safe heater regardless. I have spend dozens of nights aboard my various heated boats without ABYC's approval and I am quite well and have never had a problem getting insurance.

Admiral, yes I vented it! I clearly show the vented installation. Did you check the photos?

I'm such a wimp nowadays and haven't been out overnight yet. But next week I hope to be over-nighting on the Delta and will try it out then.

If I live through it, poker, I'll tell about it here! :lol:

 

[cayman drew]

Re: Vented Cabin Heaters

Admiral, yes I vented it! I clearly show the vented installation. Did you check the photos?

Looks great and nice blog! However, I must be retarded? All I see in your two photos is one line from the tank connecting to the heater? Where is the ventilation hose or where is the ventilation kit installed?

 

[CoachPotato]

Re: Vented Cabin Heaters

Looks great and nice blog! However, I must be retarded? All I see in your two photos is one line from the tank connecting to the heater? Where is the ventilation hose or where is the ventilation kit installed?

View attachment 182054View attachment 182055

You'e looking at the wrong photos - those are of the old, unvented Oly heater. Scroll to the bottom of that page to see the new one.

It has a hose from the top of the heater to the inside of the cabinet and then outside.

Thanks for the heads up; I made a note on that page that the first heater is the old one.

 

[cayman drew]

Re: Vented Cabin Heaters

Now I see!! Very nice.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Vented Cabin Heaters

Where's the drooling smiley?

Great boat, great modifications. :whoo:

Watch that propane, though.

 

[CoachPotato]

Re: Vented Cabin Heaters

Just a quick note to report that I tried the new heater on this week's Delta sturgeon trip (my first since November and no fish to report). I ran the little heater all night and in the morning the cabin was 64? while it was 49? outside. The cabin remained dry which was a major goal. Also, the cabin was closed up tight and the CO alarm remained silent all night. So...

Mission accomplished!

 

[boatpoker]

Re: Vented Cabin Heaters

Just a quick note to report that I tried the new heater on this week's Delta sturgeon trip (my first since November and no fish to report). I ran the little heater all night and in the morning the cabin was 64? while it was 49? outside. The cabin remained dry which was a major goal. Also, the cabin was closed up tight and the CO alarm remained silent all night. So...

Mission accomplished!

I think I'd test my CO detector and be aware that CO poisoning is cumulative and it can take up to two weeks to leave your blood.

Catalytic heaters use a tremendous amount of oxygen and your unit is not equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor.
Good luck !