Ducted Heating

robertager1962

robertager1962

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www.sailing-south.com
We have a Webasto heater that is ducted through the boat. (A Southerly 105.) When on shore power it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to have an electrically heated, ducted fan that could distribute heat using the ducted system without running the webasto. Does anyone have any experience of doing this?
 
robertager1962 said:
We have a Webasto heater that is ducted through the boat. (A Southerly 105.) When on shore power it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to have an electrically heated, ducted fan that could distribute heat using the ducted system without running the webasto. Does anyone have any experience of doing this?
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The electric heating element would introduce a restriction into the ducting, so you'd have to have the additional complication of installing the electrical heater separately and having some way of diverting the ducting heat source. All far too complicated, and using shore power instead of diesel probably wouldn't be any cheaper.
 
We use a simple (Argos own branded cheapie) flat profile fan heater for days when only a little warm help is needed for a short period ie just after getting up or just out of the shower. Heater has 3 settings, fan only, 1.kw or 2kw, it has a thermostatic control and a safety device that switches off if tilted. Our Eberspluttery is a big one and overkill for such light short term use. OP's idea seems like an over complication versus a free standing fan heater that can be moved where needed, but maybe I missed the point.
 
You can buy DC powered 12/24V electric duct heaters for vehicles. It would be very easy to plumb in to existing ducting, say at the diesel heater end of the ducting. Google is your friend, mostly USA sources.

To be honest, in the Scottish winters, I have found my tube heater and electric fan heaters have been fine, tube when away, fan heaters when working on the boat. While i have not used my diesel air heater yet, when I was working on the boat, other long term DIYers ran their diesel air heaters when on the hard. It seams the sensible, hassle free option.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
You can buy DC powered 12/24V electric duct heaters for vehicles. It would be very easy to plumb in to existing ducting, say at the diesel heater end of the ducting.
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Quite apart from the inefficiency of converting shore power to 12v for electric heating, what you're suggesting would adversely affect the operation of the diesel heater.
 
pvb said:
Quite apart from the inefficiency of converting shore power to 12v for electric heating, what you're suggesting would adversely affect the operation of the diesel heater.
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I am assuming that the ducting is pulled off the diesel heater and connected to the vehicle heater and that the whole arrangement is temporary in nature. Otherwise, why bother, as has been suggested, the diesel air heater is already installed and can be used.
 
Like robin, I also use a cheapo fan heater with 0-1-2Kw settings, with the difference that I got it at B&Q. Although not as good as my Webasto in distributing its heat, it doesn't take long for most of the boat to warm up.
 
johnalison said:
Like robin, I also use a cheapo fan heater with 0-1-2Kw settings, with the difference that I got it at B&Q. Although not as good as my Webasto in distributing its heat, it doesn't take long for most of the boat to warm up.
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Likewise, but I use two. Yah boo sucks!
I get unmetered 'leccy so I might use the Webasto if this was not the case.
 
Robin said:
We use a simple (Argos own branded cheapie) flat profile fan heater for days when only a little warm help is needed for a short period ie just after getting up or just out of the shower. Heater has 3 settings, fan only, 1.kw or 2kw, it has a thermostatic control and a safety device that switches off if tilted. Our Eberspluttery is a big one and overkill for such light short term use. OP's idea seems like an over complication versus a free standing fan heater that can be moved where needed, but maybe I missed the point.
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+1
 
Tonight is chilly. Had fan heater on initially after a shower late afternoon then swapped to ebberspluttery which I just turned down to come on only if/when it gets really cold in the early hours. We do have an electric blanket already pre heated for cosy toes when we go beddy byes shortly.:sleeping:
 
We have our Eber on this evening and a stand up convector heater on at Haslar and remembering when we were in Stkitts last year and enjoying the heat . Looks like it might be rather blowy for a sail tomorrow so might take our chances on the ferry . Have also brought the electric blanket down for first time this year. Saw a gritting truck in Emsworth earlier this evening !
 
When we were living on board through the winter, we’d do the sums and work out which method of heating was most cost effective. High cost metered electricity usually meant it was cheaper to run the Eber, inclusive electricity meant that the fan heaters were the cheaper option.
The advantage of the Eber was it pulled in fresh air from the outside, reducing condensation. Downside was the noise and the need to refuel part way through the winter. Fan heater was as effective at warming the boat but we did sometimes get condensation problems but they were ally sorted by airing the boat the following morning as temperatures rose. Failing that, run the Eber for a bit to blow fresh air through.
 
duncan99210 said:
When we were living on board through the winter, we’d do the sums and work out which method of heating was most cost effective. High cost metered electricity usually meant it was cheaper to run the Eber, inclusive electricity meant that the fan heaters were the cheaper option.
The advantage of the Eber was it pulled in fresh air from the outside, reducing condensation. Downside was the noise and the need to refuel part way through the winter. Fan heater was as effective at warming the boat but we did sometimes get condensation problems but they were ally sorted by airing the boat the following morning as temperatures rose. Failing that, run the Eber for a bit to blow fresh air through.
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Our Eber takes combustion air from outside but heats air taken from inside, so no different than fan heater in that respect?
 
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