Gas heater, how does it work?

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dukes4monny

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Hi all, silly question time. When I bought my yacht last summer I new that it had a gas heater fitted, but didn't check with the previous owner how it worked, afterall, how difficult can it be....
Feeling a bit chilly today while working onboard I thought, aha....time to try the heater........but I could not find out how it works?
It's a Plastimo...........it has a pipe from the gas bottle, but I cannot find any controls e.g. on / off temperature etc.
The previous owner is now in Australia so it will be a job to get hold of him.
Anyway, here's a piccy and there's a cold pint waiting for anyone that can point me in the right direction:

dsc000202.jpg


Thanks.
 
That is a catalytic heater - probably asbestos based !!! There should be a gas tap nearby that cuts off the gas supply. Make sure it is on. Somewhere (perhaps underneath - possibly at the bottom left where the gas pipe enters) there will be a gas valve that has to be turned to a sprung "start" position that bypasses the flame failure device (thats what is visible thro the hole in the bottom of the grill). While holding that tap against the spring there will be a red (typically) button that fires a piezo-electric spark to ignite the gas. However, I don't see a spark electrode, so it is possible that it needs to be match lit.

Once lit, keep the tap held against the spring in the start position for several seconds. There may well be some flames coming out of the top of the heater at this point, do not panic, it is simply excess gas burning off. When the tap is released the padding should glow red with no actual flames, or it may just go out if you haven't held the tap long enough (or if the flame failure device is faulty).

I have a Thermex version on the bulkhead, I always leave the hatch ajar when using it. It is very powerful & quickly gets a largish saloon quite hot. I generally run it very low.

You can get replacement "Universal flame failure" units from B&Q that will probably fit if you need it. make sure you have plenty of ventilation when using it. It will generate a fair bit of heat but it will also genertae a lot of condensation. As it is burning in the cabin, there is a risk of CO2 and/or CO production which can be fatal.
 
Thanks Searush, I'm back down there again tomorrow, so i'll let you know how I get on.
Thanks for the warnings too......I'll be sure to keep it well ventilated.........if I manage to get it going
 
We have recently fitted an uncannily similar looking heater (tho' not Plastimo brand - suspect that's just their badge added) - sold as a 'Mini' catalytic heater by various caravan and boat outlets. We did so after receiving good advice from Searush and others on this very forum.

Generally agree with what Searush has said, but
1) Probably better to have something longer lasting than a match to light it (we use a gas lighter with a long nozzle, about £1.50 from a supermarket) as it may take a while for the appliance's gas to come through.
2) we only ever get a small roll of flame passing over the front of the heater as the excess gas burns off. I'd be worried if there were flames coming out the top!
3) Our 'starter' is a button you have to hold in, as Searush says, against the spring until lit. We find (and instructions said) you need to continue to hold the button in for some time (say about 20 seconds) after it first lights while the flame failure device warms up, otherwise it just goes out again when you release the button.
4) Ours, being the smallest, cheapest model, has no on/off or heat control on the device itself. Turned off by turning its gas supply tap of. I did start experimenting with turning it down by this external tap to adjust the heat output (max about 0.7kw in our case, though naughtily advertised by some chandlers and other lying [--word removed--], I mean outlets, as 1kw), but it's been so cold that excessive heat hasn't been a problem.
5) Ours smells a bit gassy when first lit (and will set off our portable gas alarm if held above the heater at this stage), so we open the hatch for a moment, but soon settles down and is remarkably lacking in obvious fume smells.

Be wary about build up of CO2 and depletion of oxygen over aperiod of time. Supposedly (i.e. as advertised) these heaters do not emit CO (I interpret that as meaning if they are burning properly). So ensure a bit of ventilation and watch out for signs of grogginess/headaches. I certainly wouldn't sleep with ours on. They will also, as Searush says, put out quite a bit of moisture.

We've been pleased by ours as a means of defrosting ourselves after a sail on a cold winter's day, or to take the chill off as an autumn evening gets shivery. First Mate is particularly appreciative and she says to tell you all how brilliant it is. I have my doubts about how practical it'll be for a whole evening's heating, what with the moisture output and perhaps fumes (though we're well ventilated). I may be sailing from Solent to East Coast in the very near future, in which case I'll certainly find out!

Hope you get your heater working and enjoy it.
 
Thanks Searush and Carvel..........it works. I had missed that there is a recessed button on the left hand side of the unit.
I didn't think that it was working initially.........I tried to light it, but didn't see any flame at all......I carried on with one of the many jobs I have on the go and realised that the cabin was getting quite warm.........
It doesn't have it's own isolation tap so that will be another job on the list...........

Thanks again for all of your advice.......I owe each of you a pint /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
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