Diesel heater installation project

[Jokani]

After months of procrastinating the weather is getting colder and I need to get a move on with installing a Webasto Airtop in my Westerly Centaur.

So far I have the ducting in place but have a number of issues with the location of the main heater unit.

1) I had planned to mount it in the engine bay, starboard side on the quarter berth bulkhead just in front of the diesel tank. I can't think of one but is there a better place to put it?

2) The above would mean the exhaust passing close to the polyethylene plastic diesel tank, I was planning to use the standard fibreglass cloth inuslation but is there anything better?

3) The fitting instructions say that the exhaust must always be at a downward angle, I am not sure I can fit the heater high enough to accomplish that. Is there any way around that?

TIA

 

[matthewriches]

Can discuss when I see you to drop these crimp terminals off to you?

 

[pagoda]

After months of procrastinating the weather is getting colder and I need to get a move on with installing a Webasto Airtop in my Westerly Centaur.

So far I have the ducting in place but have a number of issues with the location of the main heater unit.

1) I had planned to mount it in the engine bay, starboard side on the quarter berth bulkhead just in front of the diesel tank. I can't think of one but is there a better place to put it?

2) The above would mean the exhaust passing close to the polyethylene plastic diesel tank, I was planning to use the standard fibreglass cloth inuslation but is there anything better?

3) The fitting instructions say that the exhaust must always be at a downward angle, I am not sure I can fit the heater high enough to accomplish that. Is there any way around that?

TIA

If the exhaust is properly insulated it should be safe enough? Make sure the exhaust points down/aft. Wind and waves getting into exhaust pipe work is not good. Our Webasto had quite a long exhaust - with a gooseneck . The only real issue is the chance of un-burnt fuel from failed starts collecting in the exhaust. It generates huge amounts of white "smoke" once you do get a real start. Less of a worry with a new installation!

 

[PaulRainbow]

1) I had planned to mount it in the engine bay, starboard side on the quarter berth bulkhead just in front of the diesel tank. I can't think of one but is there a better place to put it?

Erm... not sure without having a crawl around on your boat

Happy to have a quick look next time you're here Gary.

2) The above would mean the exhaust passing close to the polyethylene plastic diesel tank, I was planning to use the standard fibreglass cloth inuslation but is there anything better?

The standard insulation is pretty good, you can touch it safely. I'd be inclined to add something as a secondary protection though, depending on how close we're talking.

3) The fitting instructions say that the exhaust must always be at a downward angle, I am not sure I can fit the heater high enough to accomplish that. Is there any way around that?

TIA

If you can't keep the exhaust going downhill all the way to the through hull, just put a swan neck in, as mentioned by Pagoda. When you get near the transom bend the exhaust up as high as you can, right up to the underside of the side deck if possible, then down to the through hull.

 

[QBhoy]

Hi

I picked up a few things when fitting an erbespacher Year’s ago. The exhaust is recommended down routed maybe because of the risk of water ingress. Not entirely sure, but it does work at least at the same level with a slight goose neck. The fuel pump needs to usually be at a 45o angle flowing upwards.
Perhaps most importantly and an often made mistake is that the air intake side of the unit needs to be fed from the area you intend to heat. Not from the engine bay or anywhere else. If not, the temperature controller or thermo stat will always be fighting a loosing battle. The temp is measured at the intake.
Also get a good quality exhaust skin fitting. Cheap ones mean trouble on a boat.

 

[matthewriches]

That is sometimes the case for the older models and still the case as a standard option for the smaller versions and truck night heaters. Most new Webasto and Ebers are fitted with an external temperature probe to maintain a more stable cabin temperature. I always try and fit external probes as they really do make a huge difference.

Hi

Perhaps most importantly and an often made mistake is that the air intake side of the unit needs to be fed from the area you intend to heat. Not from the engine bay or anywhere else. If not, the temperature controller or thermo stat will always be fighting a loosing battle. The temp is measured at the intake.

 

[Jokani]

Most new Webasto and Ebers are fitted with an external temperature probe to maintain a more stable cabin temperature.

I think my Webasto has the temp sensor and the controller in the same unit, so the position of the controller will be important.

 

[PaulRainbow]

You really want the temp sensor in the area you want to heat and the air pickup external, or condensation will be a problem.

When you're in the car, set the heater to recycle, see how quickly everything steams up.

 

[pvb]

You really want the temp sensor in the area you want to heat and the air pickup external, or condensation will be a problem.

When you're in the car, set the heater to recycle, see how quickly everything steams up.

Correct. Many people assume that it's a good idea to draw the intake air from the cabin, so the boat heats up more quickly. It isn't! As you say, this just builds up condensation - drawing the intake air from outside constantly refreshes the air in the boat and reduces condensation.