Diesel Heaters (e.g. Ebers) Major Safety Warning!!

[Anonymous]

We are presently tied-up alongside a canal, with a brick wall alongside, that reaches up beyond our safety rails. We are using the Eberspacher as our primary heating source this winter, living aboard.

Today, we have a significant surge down the canal, from swell from the sea and the boat is moving fore and aft by around 1.5 metres (I can't tighten the warps as the water level varies).

This afternoon, I started to get very chesty and throaty as though I was coming down with a bad cold....there was no smell or any indication that anything was wrong. When I went on deck to check our movement I noticed that one fender had burst and had obviously been dragged, by the movement, over the exhaust vent. In all probability the fender had blocked the exhaust and it was the fumes that were giving me my symptoms (which have now gone away entirely). I've been trying to get a CO monitor but can't find one locally so will buy in the UK later.

Anyway, nothing wrong with Ebers, etc., it is a user problem but I thought I'd share it with you....the offending fender looked a safe distance away, I misjudged it, obviously, so be careful!!

 

[[2574]]

David,

I fitted:

http://www.calormarineshop.co.uk/focus-on/marinecare-dualwatch.htm

in our N39 and so far it has been excellent, 2 years in. I have two gas sensors below cabin sole and the CO alarm is built in to the head unit. Recommended but, as ever, nit cheap.

rob

 

[npf1]

So it is safer to have the outlet on the transom if at all possible? I'm just planning an install of a Webasto hot water system and was pondering this point recently. Complete pain in the backside to route the exhaust to the transom for me though, but I think you just convinced me!

 

[Skyva_2]

Interesting that the fender did not melt? We once moored alongside an Eber exhaust and were worried about that for our own fenders. A transom exhaust surely has to be the best location, if possible.

 

[Ariadne]

Same goes for brainless f*&$"$ts who use them next door to you in a marina; when the wind is blowing the fumes exhaust directly into my sons cabin via the forward hatch!

Considering it was 19-20 degrees outside, I still don't underestand why he needed it on in the first place. I asked him nicely twice to turn it off explaining the problem, but he thought his comfort was worth poisoning my son for. In the end the marina staff pulled the shore supply and gave him right old telling off, solved the problem.

You have to be aware where your exhaust discharges, and make sure you are not pumping fumes into your neighbours boat. My son suffered from runny eyes and a sore throat for 2 days.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, the fender lost its pressure but there was no warning of that for me. Only the symptoms. Transom exhaust would be better for safety, I think, in most cases.

 

[Anonymous]

Rob, thanks, I'll look out for that it looks excellent.

 

[Stork_III]

You could try a cockpit coming exit, out of way of side fenders, may be easier to achieve routing.

 

[pvb]

[ QUOTE ]
You could try a cockpit coming exit, out of way of side fenders, may be easier to achieve routing.

[/ QUOTE ]Might that be more likely to introduce fumes to the inside of the boat?

 

[Searush]

Caution; I understand there is a max length for Eber exhausts. Make sure that it isn't exceeded by the reroute.

 

[npf1]

I think it's 5 metres max on the model I've got - but I do need to have a look at the manual to verify.

 

[William_H]

The surging back and forth 1.5 metres sounds bad. Forgive me if I say the obvious but have you got springer mooring lines set up?

ie a line from the stern of the boat to as far forward on shore as possible then another line from the bow as far aft on the shore as possible.

The lines being very long make a small angle to the boat which varies only a small degree when the boat rises or falls but remains holding tight in the forward or aft direction. This should hold the boat in one place regardless of water level. olewill

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, we are properly moored. We are alongside with five other craft rafted up alongside us. It works OK actually but you don't want the lines too tight. All the craft along this section do the same thing when there is a large surge against a strong wind and river flow.

 

[Anonymous]

Coming back to you on the point about very long lines, the problem along this canal is that the boats are rafted up to five or six deep and very close to the boats in front. You get your lines as far forward as you possibly can without interfering with the boats in front and behind. I can't get mine any further out or they would conflict. It's the same story all the way along. I think that 1.5 m might have been a bit of an exaggeration. More like 0.75 m but it feels like a lot when you look out of the window!

 

[vyv_cox]

A potato of the appropriate size works wonders with annoying exhaust pipes!

 

[Anonymous]

[ QUOTE ]
A potato of the appropriate size works wonders with annoying exhaust pipes!

[/ QUOTE ]Knowing you, I know you were joking but it should be said that from my experience a blockage in the exhaust results in fumes coming into the boat. If you block someone's exhaust you could face a manslaugher (or multiple manslaughter) charge, if not murder.

Young children and babies would be the first to die.

Not a good idea.

If someone's exhaust is entering your boat you should ask them to stop and if that fails, in a marina, discuss it with the marina office.