Bottle Gas Heater

[srah1953]

Thanks for all the comments. I would use a CO alarm. I was just wondering was there something physically smaller than a super Ser. I know it's not ideal .....

 

[Alfie168]

Many years ago I purchased a LPG catalytic heater that claim the do not produce any CO.

Never used it as it's never cold enough where my boat is

Mr Google says this

Do catalytic heaters produce carbon monoxide?

Catalytic heaters do not produce carbon monoxide. This is because they are not creating any gasses. While they can use natural gas or propane, catalytic heaters only speed up their chemical process rather than combust it.

I know they consume Oxygen so must be in a well ventilated place

Any comments from other forum members. I am really interested.

I should be able to quote verbatim about flueless domestic gas fires with catalysts as every five years or so for the last twenty I've been required to prove my competence to test, service and repair one. Thing is, the one in the gas test centre is the only one I ever came across, but I do know they are out there........somewhere. As with all things there is good and bad news. The good news is that they work and provide heat and that the catalysts are pretty robust, and provided they are installed properly they are safe. The not so good news is that they produce copious amounts of moisture as there is no flue/ chimney, and more relevantly they do require that the ventilation requirement of the manufacturer is adhered to absolutely to the letter, other wise they can use up all the oxygen. They should have an oxygen depletion safety device on the appliance, but there have still been occasional fatalities, so many gas engineers are wary of them.

Then there is sizing, and I frankly don't know if there are smaller sized ones for boats or not. I don't dismiss them out of hand at all, as the one in the test lab is pretty ropey after 20 years of being prodded and tested by nervous gas engineers renewing their qualifications.....but one thing it has never done is emit any measurable Carbon Monoxide as far as I know. The catalyst has stayed effective.

Catalytic heaters on the other hand are different and not something I am familiar with, and for a brief moment I was confusing the two. I would suggest ventilation is still the key issue however. I'd never leave one on at night in any event.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Thanks for all the comments. I would use a CO alarm. I was just wondering was there something physically smaller than a super Ser. I know it's not ideal .....

This looks like to one I have.

ALKE Catalytic Gas Heaters LPG (Alke & Therm X) - Buy Securely on-line

Alke Midicat Gas Heater | Caravan Accessories

 

[pvb]

Many, many years ago, we had a catalytic heater on a small boat. The heater was a Danish "VN" which burned some sort of purified petrol which we used to buy in 5 litre cans from a chandlery in Maldon. To use it, the tank was filled with the special petrol, then I poured some meths over the top and set light to it, to heat the catalyst. Once it got warm, the catalytic combustion continued. At the time, it didn't see particularly risky, but we were young and foolish!

 

[Iliade]

In answer to the op, there certainly were cabinet gas heaters sized to suit 7.5kg bottles. I had one on my boat and spilt a glass of rum that was sat on top. The flames reached the deckhead!

One can get gas heaters which simply screw to the top of even smaller bottles.

Ebay is your friend, but could easily cost you a boat or a life if you are not exceedingly careful. They do all produce a dreadful fug, putting loads of water into the air, but when the salt spray is freezing on the deck beggars can't be choosers.

Nowadays I'd look at propane or diesel chinaspachers as the initial cost is not dissimilar and they produce much more pleasant dry heat, albeit without the option to sit in front of the glowing fire.

 

[V1701]

Have a look for an Origo Heatpal, it would take the chill off, be safer than having gas cans inside, still need a bit of ventilation...

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Nowadays I'd look at propane or diesel chinaspachers as the initial cost is not dissimilar and they produce much more pleasant dry heat, albeit without the option to sit in front of the glowing fire.

Could use a Chinaspatcher for heat & Dylan's tealights & flowerpot for ambience . Or better still, watch this

 

[Iliade]

Found some here: Black Mini Heatforce Gas Cabinet Heater | Lifestyle Appliances Ltd

 

[JumbleDuck]

Catalytic heaters will typically produce carbon monoxide at 50 ppm when run in a low oxygen environment. This won't kill you, but still isn't great, as no amount of carbon monoxide is good for you. The standard for maximum allowable exposure to carbon monoxide in the USA is 50 ppm over 8 hours.

Thanks.

 

[Boater Sam]

I know, but people on here quote them selectively, as I said, no regs for us!

What about your insurance?
Do they approve gas bottles inside cabins?

 

[JumbleDuck]

What about your insurance?
Do they approve gas bottles inside cabins?

My insurance policy says

so it looks to me as if it comes down to "the approved British Standard and other recommendations", which is pretty broad. There would be no gas locker and a gas container inside the cabin could be secured. My last boat had a Camping Gaz stove with the bottle mounted directly under the stove ... not many of that sort left now, I think.

 

[Boater Sam]

My insurance policy says

so it looks to me as if it comes down to "the approved British Standard and other recommendations", which is pretty broad. There would be no gas locker and a gas container inside the cabin could be secured. My last boat had a Camping Gaz stove with the bottle mounted directly under the stove ... not many of that sort left now, I think.

So given that bottled gas is heavier than air, how do you ensure that the "gas locker" if it is the cabin, is vented to the exterior of the vessel unless you have a hole in the floor, which is very unlikely!

 

[JumbleDuck]

So given that bottled gas is heavier than air, how do you ensure that the "gas locker" if it is the cabin, is vented to the exterior of the vessel unless you have a hole in the floor, which is very unlikely!

You don't. But if there is no gas locker ...

 

[Dan Tribe]

Many, many years ago, we had a catalytic heater on a small boat. The heater was a Danish "VN" which burned some sort of purified petrol which we used to buy in 5 litre cans from a chandlery in Maldon. To use it, the tank was filled with the special petrol, then I poured some meths over the top and set light to it, to heat the catalyst. Once it got warm, the catalytic combustion continued. At the time, it didn't see particularly risky, but we were young and foolish!

We had one of those for a while but the cost of the fuel "white gasoline" was horrendous.

 

[Beneteau381]

What about your insurance?
Do they approve gas bottles inside cabins?

Dont need to, the regs refered to are only applicable to canal boats. A red herring argument.