Dickinson Chesapeake Heater

[dknh]

Hi to all, and seasons greetings!!

Anyone assist with a copy of a manual for a Dickinson 'Chesapeake' diesel heater?
Mine works well but this cold spell has tested its capability. It appears to need more air for cleaner burning and probably a little more heat. Oil metering valve is set for 'Newport' @ 4cc ~ 10cc / minute, and this seems to deliver too much fuel.

Any ideas?

Regards dknh

 

[pvb]

If all else fails, try asking someone who's selling a boat with a Chesapeake heater - they might have a manual. Here's one for starters, complete with phone numbers.

 

[Poignard]

You don't say if you have asked the manufacturer but if not_

http://www.dickinsonmarine.com/index.html

 

[dknh]

Thanks for the responses. I tried Dickinson and found that they are reluctant to support this model. They comment that there were at that time so many variants that manuals were simply not supplied.
The guy selling the boat at Whitby may have a manual.
With some adjustments this PM I have answered part of the problem. I have reduced the fuel supply to less than the minimum (4cc/minute) that the valve was set to and the heater performs significantly better. I guess the amount is now between 2~3cc/minute, but I will in time measure this.
This all came about as the old fuel meter was defunct, and the new one was set for the Dickinson 'Newport' model. Kuranda UK, the local agents for Dickinson, are very helpful, and have assisted in many aspects of all this. I would recommend them to all.

 

[pvb]

I tried Dickinson and found that they are reluctant to support this model.

I've read on t'interweb somewhere that the Chesapeake was withdrawn in 1980 after concerns over fire safety. Be wise to ensure it's properly installed and adjusted.

 

[dknh]

I agree that there is the potential for a 'runaway'. But the same is true for all these heaters. I would never leave the boat without closing the burner down. I installed this with a substantial fire wall made of fibreboard (modern day asbestos) and mosaic tiling to prevent heat transfer to the bulkhead, and have an isolation tap well away from the heater to close down from a distance. I am considering one of the auto fuel close down valves that Kuranda offer. The vital rules are: never to light the burner if too much fuel has entered the burner when unlit, nor to re-light a warm heater. The meter does have the newer 'fusible' plugs that shut the device if there is too much heat, but mine never gets that hot.