Fitting a Kalori heat exchanger heater

[Hazymoonshine]

I am considering fitting a heat exchanger type heater - tapping off a Beta 13.5hp engine. Kalori seem to do a good product and I plan to buy one. Given the boat is 23ft I think this is the most effective combination of cost/safety/efficiency.

Before going ahead, I wonder if anyone has fitted this device of something similar and have any advice or guidance. Both would be welcomed!

Best wishes

H

 

[cliff]

Made one from car parts - seemed a good idea at the time but........
Down side
1) Engine had to be running to provide heat - very noisy
2) Engine not running under load if at anchor or on a mooring - not good idea.
3) I used a double matrix setup and could watch the engine temperature falling when the heater was running (took too much heat out of the cooling system unless engine working under load)
4) Fan drew 6A/8A/10A depending on speed setting (not a problem with engine running though)
5) Inefficient way of turning diesel into hot air.
6) Fan noise.

Up Side
Cost next to nothing (parts from car breakers)

Next boat had an Eberspacher - much more use and quieter, usable at anchor or on moorings, no engine wear when running, ¼ liter/hour fuel consumption, easy to duct the hot air round the boat, "instant heat" - don't have to wait for the engine to warm up, low electrical power consumption once running.

I did not find any prices for the Kalori units - looked at the Compact C, the KAR and the Silencio but I would seriously consider an Eberspacher or Mikuni or Wabasto or the like rather than the Kalori type heater.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>

 

[Hazymoonshine]

Cliff,

Thank you for that. Some very useful points you make and I shall reconsider some of the assumptions I have made in light of them. The overwhelming argument in favour of this route is cost - £120 odd all in compared to several hundred for an Eberspacher type system. We plan to swap the boat at the end of the year - (children growing up too fast!)so I am loathe to invest too much in a system for a boat that we only use for occasional weekend trips.

Of course, the other aspect is it is a project I would thoroughly enjoy!

Perhaps I should save the money and time and invest it in our next boat..!

Best wishes

H

 

[cliff]

If all you want is occassional heat and your plan to change your boat soon why install any heater, instead what about something like these?
or have a look here
Should be available in your local camping supplies shoppe! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
sailroom <span style="color:red">The place to auction your previously loved boatie bits</span>