All in one diesel heaters

[Sea Change]

Given the state of my very extensive jobs list, I'm not going to be able to do a proper job of installing a Chinaspacher before we head to Canada.
I'm thinking of getting one of the 'all in one' versions that is all packaged together in a box. It could sit in the cockpit and I would pipe the hot air in through a conveniently placed opening port light.

Question- if I later wanted to do a proper permanent installation, could I just open up the box and take out the heater? I'd be buying genuine Eber exhaust hose anyway so the poor quality accessories that come with the standard kits aren't really something I'd miss.

 

[snowbird30ds]

They are only a regular heater and pump inside the case, a guy I work with got one that you could attach an extension cable to the control panel so that would work well.

 

[Minerva]

Given the state of my very extensive jobs list, I'm not going to be able to do a proper job of installing a Chinaspacher before we head to Canada.
I'm thinking of getting one of the 'all in one' versions that is all packaged together in a box. It could sit in the cockpit and I would pipe the hot air in through a conveniently placed opening port light.

Question- if I later wanted to do a proper permanent installation, could I just open up the box and take out the heater? I'd be buying genuine Eber exhaust hose anyway so the poor quality accessories that come with the standard kits aren't really something I'd miss.

You might not know until you open it up.

Could you buy the type of heater you intend to install, but instead do a temporary install inside a suitably sized, open top plastic Euro stacking box (or yank equivalent?)

 

[Refueler]

Plenty of info online shows the 'all-in-one' box units are same gear as the separate gear systems ...

 

[Sea Change]

You might not know until you open it up.

Could you buy the type of heater you intend to install, but instead do a temporary install inside a suitably sized, open top plastic Euro stacking box (or yank equivalent?)

That sounds like more work, not less!

Of course these things are so cheap that I could just sell on the all-in-one and buy a different heater when I come to do the proper installation...

 

[PetiteFleur]

You would have to install a proper exhaust system to go overboard correctly, which would mean having the heater in a fixed position - is this possible? And the exhaust gets very hot! What seachange in #5 says is also good advice.

 

[ylop]

Are you aware these don’t (usually) have power?

ie you will still need to provide a suitable supply from the battery.

 

[Sea Change]

You would have to install a proper exhaust system to go overboard correctly, which would mean having the heater in a fixed position - is this possible? And the exhaust gets very hot! What seachange in #5 says is also good advice.

Yes, I've installed three Chinaspachers before, I'm aware of how hot the exhaust gets.
The position I'm thinking of would be on a seat in the cockpit, optionally strapped in.

 

[Sea Change]

Are you aware these don’t (usually) have power?

ie you will still need to provide a suitable supply from the battery.

Yes, aware of that. I've got a 60Ah lithium battery currently going spare, which I could use as a temporary measure.

 

[Refueler]

I think the three main factors are :

1. Making sure that any heat of the units working does not damage / scar cockpit areas... interfere with use of cockpit.
2. That exhaust does not stain cockpit area.
3. That air intake is free of all exhaust fumes ....

 

[Sea Change]

I think the three main factors are :

1. Making sure that any heat of the units working does not damage / scar cockpit areas... interfere with use of cockpit.
2. That exhaust does not stain cockpit area.
3. That air intake is free of all exhaust fumes ....

All valid concerns.
They seem to be similar to running a suitcase genny.
It definitely won't be ideal, but neither is having a freezing cold boat.

 

[westernman]

I think the three main factors are :

1. Making sure that any heat of the units working does not damage / scar cockpit areas... interfere with use of cockpit.
2. That exhaust does not stain cockpit area.
3. That air intake is free of all exhaust fumes ....

And in any case install a CO (carbon monoxide) alarm.
It might save your life if you do not get the installation perfect.