Cabin Heaters

[Stuart_Wyatt]

Is there anyone who has experience of using a solid fule cabin heater and can offer advice?

I have a PA charcoal heater (1965), which persists in suffering from such a strong downdraft that it is ofetn impossible to light. I've even had one fire start burning upside down?

Also, I'm considering buying a new solid fule cabin heater and would like to here from anyone who can recommend a make.

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[Trevethan]

Downdraft is caused by a number of factors - the flue may not be long enough, or get warm enough to draw, it maybe position wrongly or it might be that airflow in the boat goes "the wrong way".

Not sure there is an easy fix - try extending the flue - length is dependant on the heater, but 5 to 6 feet is a good length and fitting a different flue cap. I have a removeable "H" cap on my Dickinson's diesel and it works wonders.

Try iopening and closing different combinations of hatches to change the airflow pattern (Don't block up all ventilation!!!!!

Finally if nothing works consider a Dickinson's or similar heatter that has a fan fitted that creates a positive draft.

Hopefully someone else with a little more experience might be able to add to this..

regards,

Nick

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[Stuart_Wyatt]

Thanks Nick. All sensible suggestions. I do have a tall chimney and have tried an H pot, which made only a slight improvement. It seems as if the boat cabin is in a permanent state of low atmospheric pressure. I appreciate your comments. Maybe fan assitance is the only certain answer.

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[snowleopard]

an old salt i sailed with fitted a metre length of rubber hose to his deck outlet. the hose had a curve and was always pointed to leeward. it was a regular ritual when sailing in winter: 'ready about...lee oh...tack the chimney'

surprised the h-pot didn't work, it did for me with a smokey flue at home. perhaps a dorade vent pointed into wind would pressurise the cabin (and make it even colder!)

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[Stuart_Wyatt]

Mmm, I like the sound of the tackable rubber hose. Maybe I should consider adding a rotating top to the chimney, oast-house fashion.

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[mickshep]

Saw an interesting piece on this very problem, think it was on a link to the old gaffers ass' site, person concerned fitted a tandem flue to his heater that allowed air to be drawn directly from the outside to prevent the backdraft effect. It apparently cured all problems at very little cost.

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[Gordonmc]

I saw a drawing (where... can't remember.) with air being drawn into the boat via the anchor pipe and down a tube.
I looked at Force 10 solid fuel heaters a while ago and they were insistent that an air source was as important as a good flue.

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[Neal]

These are very suceptible to.....

the flue getting clogged, 'cos of it small diameter. Give it a regular clean and this may solve the problem. A bottle brush pulled through on a piece of string works well.

Good luck.

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[Stuart_Wyatt]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

I apreciate your suggestions: H pots, Charlie Nobles, Bottle Brushes, and one rubber hose. I'm off to the boat tomorrow with miscellaneous lengths of copper pipe and plumbers joints to see if I can contrive a chimney that sucks instead of blows.

Stuart Wyatt

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[Stuart_Wyatt]

Inspired by your tackable rubber hose I have tested a new chimney, constructed from copper pipe and plumbers' joints. I'm christening my new design 'THE F POT', and I can catagorically state that with only the slightest breeze the F Pot sucks!

No fire required, provided the tail of the F is pointed approximately downwind, the chimney sucks air from the cabin, through the stove. Downdraft gone.

The stove I have is not brilliant, and it might have to go, but for now the problem is solved.

Thanks,
Stuart



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