Ebberspacher 'radiators'

[Petercatterall]

Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

Thurther to my posts on this.
I have set up my prototype system in the garage. It is working well with two Mini heaters blowing out a good supply of heat. A couple of questions to our experts.
Anyone have an idea of the output from a Mini heater? I thought that it would be neater than a big conventional rad stuck on a bulkhead (I can hide the units in unused locker space) and I like the idea of blown air at tootsie level!! but they seem to use about 2 amps each with the fan going.

I have managed to suss out the Mini digital control, I can programe it to come on at a preset time but it will only run for one hour. Can I override this? or do I need to buy a new control unit? would this just plug into the harness as per my minicontrol?
I can route the exhaust through the side of the wheel house (wood) I know that I can buy an expensive fitting for this but wouldn't any simple 'asbestos/ceramic' ring between the pipe and the wood suffice?
Thanks for any comments and best wishes to all.

 

[Bodach na mara]

Re: Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

A mini heater matrix puts out about 1.5 kW of heat. The fan is the real problem. It does use quite a few amps. There are special heater matrices available but at a cost: over £200 a few years ago. They use a less greedy fan they say (well they would, wouldn't they.) My unit has a branch in the outlet duct to a closable vent in the toilet so I can get heat spread about a bit. You can get very small conventional rads but there is nothing to beat a bit of forced air as well.

The mini controller has limited functions in that it is designed to do what you describe: give 1 hour of heat at up to three set times in the day. This is usually enough. I have no idea how you could fit a more advanced controller even if you could find one that is 12 volt operable.

Use the proper exhaust system. especially through a wooden hull. It may cost more but it is cheaper than a new boat, plus you may make yourself responsible for damage caused to any other boat near you when yours goes on fire.

 

[2Tizwoz]

Re: Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

Of course were this heater installed in a house building regulations would restrict its installation conditions for safety reasons.One of these would be distance from an opening window so that the fumes aren't accumulating inside and quietly asphyxiating someone. I find exhaust fumes can be unpleasant in the cockpit with engine running and a following wind but well burnt fuel from a heater may not always smell badly.

 

[Petercatterall]

Re: Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

Thanks Ken, I didn't know that I could get 3 preset 1 hour periods, I'll have to get down to some more finger work on the controls!
I guess that if your on the boat it is not too much effort to just press the control for another 60 mins of heat.
I too prefer some forced air heat. When on shore power i've tried an oil filled rad and also a little electric fan heater, similar outputs but the blown air always felt warmer.
Perhaps I could step down the power to the fans to get less consumption and noise, a sort of half power stage.
The exhaust seems to give off a lot of heat, pity that cant be utillised!!
Regards

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Sailed two boats with rads.

They are bulky so looking for an alternative makes sense to me. Both owners told me they have real problems with airlocks in the pipe runs. So I'd give that some thought too.

 

[Talbot]

Re: Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

PBO did an article on this system a few years ago, and used computer fans for the blowing . I am sure that the power requirement was considerably less than you state.

That exhaust is V. hot. , and routing through the side of the wheelhouse implies that there is a possibility of somebody passing the other side of the wheelhouse that could encounter the exhaust - burnt fingers anyone?

 

[Heckler]

Re: Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

buy a potentiometer control off ebay, theres one on at the moment, download the instructions aand wiring diagram from the american eber site, use some computer case fans for the fan output, they only use a small current and are 12 volt. ask your local computer repair shop (like me for some second hand ones)
stu

 

[Bodach na mara]

Re: Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

To set the preset times you hold the heat (right-hand) button until the display changes. You can now use the two buttons as + and - to change the on time for the first preset, P1. If a preset is set for midnight, then by default it does not come on. The display changes five seconds after the last key press and moves to setting the second preset (P2) in the same way. and after another five seconds of nothing it moves to P3.

Then it shifts to the days. At this point you use the + (right?) key to toggle a day on or off and the - (left?) key to move along the row of days you will see at the top of the screen. I am not quite sure of which key is used for what. Again the three presets are treated one at a time. If a preset is set for midnight you are not prompted for days on which it has to be on. After an period of five seconds inactivity, the display reverts to normal.

You complete the job by pressing the P key (left) to activate the preset times. Pressing the same key inactivates them again.

If you press the heat (right) key briefly at any time (other than when you are programming the controller, it toggles the system between on and off. It does NOT come on for just an hour. It comes on until you turn it off. You can also turn it off within one of the preset hours by pressing the heat key. As I said it toggles the system state between on and off.

As usual with modern electronics, this is a very clever wee box that would have been a lot easier to use if they had provided a few more buttons! Then we would not have to cope with "modes" and "time-outs" but then I always had problems setting a digital watch. I have gone back to one with a winding stem.

 

[Petercatterall]

Re: Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

Ken, thanks for this, I will go and play! (but I dont remember 'days' being on the menu!)
Thanks again

 

[JEG]

Re: Ebberspacher \'radiators\'

Radi was a circus lion,
Radi was a woman hater,
Radi had a lady trainer,
Radiator!