Heaters

[lustyd]

Having just bought a new boat without heating I’m considering my options. We definitely do want hot water heating as well as boat heating.
Option 1 - Eber hydronic plus heat matrixes throughout the boat. Does anyone have experience of these matrixes and their output? Downside here is we’d need a valve somewhere to turn the boat heating off when in hot places but leave hot water enabled.
Option 2 - Eber air heater and ducting for the boat with separate Eber hydronic for hot water. Obviously more expensive but probably nicer overall solution.

I’m only considering Eber here so unless there’s a substantially different option I don’t need to discuss other brands etc. just looking for feedback or experience of these options or thoughts on other approaches to warm boat and hot water. We definitely won’t fit a stove/log burner

 

[Mister E]

Talk to Owen Cox about Planar heaters he should be able to give advice about both systems.

 

[B27]

There is an option to use an air heater to heat water, I forget who makes it.
There are also diesel heaters which heat both air and water?

Air heating is great in a small oat, but getting warm air to a forecabin can be a challenge.

 

[lustyd]

Yes the new boat is 43’ and our current 36’ front cabin doesn’t get great heat which was why I thought the hydronic and matrix solution may be a better option.
Wasn’t aware of the dual heaters, any idea who makes them or model name?

 

[B27]

Yes the new boat is 43’ and our current 36’ front cabin doesn’t get great heat which was why I thought the hydronic and matrix solution may be a better option.
Wasn’t aware of the dual heaters, any idea who makes them or model name?

Only became aware of those options after I'd replaced the chinaspacher in my boat.
I don't recall the names.

Google says Webasto Dual Top.

 

[waynes world]

There is an option to use an air heater to heat water, I forget who makes it.
There are also diesel heaters which heat both air and water?

Air heating is great in a small oat, but getting warm air to a forecabin can be a challenge.

you mean this place Bobil Vans, Conversions, Campervan Water Heaters, Backwell

 

[dancrane]

Air heating is great in a small oat...

So, you need something that'll warm a bowl of porridge...

 

[lustyd]

Only became aware of those options after I'd replaced the chinaspacher in my boat.
I don't recall the names.

Google says Webasto Dual Top.

That looks like it ticks all the boxes but something in my head is saying no, get two units

 

[smert]

12vplanet sell a unit that does water and air heating powered from 240v or diesel.

Truma Combi D6E Water & Space Heater With iNet X Control Panel (Diesel or 230V Electric)

 

[Simi]

JPC in Brundall give an excellent service have just had a Wabasto hot water system fitted with several matrices great system with remote control from my phone

 

[lustyd]

JPC in Brundall give an excellent service have just had a Wabasto hot water system fitted with several matrices great system with remote control from my phone

Are the matrices as good as blown air? Assuming you’ve experience blown air, of course

 

[wonkywinch]

I wondered about adding a 500~1000w axial electric heater inline along the output duct from a Webasto then running that on fan only so I could use shore power to gently heat and ventilate the boat. The idea being circulated & pressurised warm air would work as a dehumidifier as well.

I see a lot of people use a 500w heater together with a dehumidifier but my thought was a background heater installed to avoid packing & unpacking stuff each time the boat was used in the winter.

 

[Simi]

Are the matrices as good as blown air? Assuming you’ve experience blown air, of course

Yes equally as good had both

 

[rotrax]

Having just bought a new boat without heating I’m considering my options. We definitely do want hot water heating as well as boat heating.
Option 1 - Eber hydronic plus heat matrixes throughout the boat. Does anyone have experience of these matrixes and their output? Downside here is we’d need a valve somewhere to turn the boat heating off when in hot places but leave hot water enabled.
Option 2 - Eber air heater and ducting for the boat with separate Eber hydronic for hot water. Obviously more expensive but probably nicer overall solution.

I’m only considering Eber here so unless there’s a substantially different option I don’t need to discuss other brands etc. just looking for feedback or experience of these options or thoughts on other approaches to warm boat and hot water. We definitely won’t fit a stove/log burner

Some years ago I fitted a Webasto Thermo Top system to a Gibsea 96.

Fabulous.

I used heated towel rails and small radiators joined with 'Speedfit' plastic pipe and connectors.

The price difference from coastal marine suppliers and specialist canal boat suppliers was astounding....................................................

 

[ChromeDome]

12vplanet sell a unit that does water and air heating powered from 240v or diesel.

Truma Combi D6E Water & Space Heater With iNet X Control Panel (Diesel or 230V Electric)

If interested in this, make sure it'll coexist with heat provided from your engine - and can prevent the unit from heating your engine.

BTW prices vary - do your homework

A thread touching the samme matter:
Another asks about 12v heating pump ...

 

[14K478]

Some years ago I fitted a Webasto Thermo Top system to a Gibsea 96.

Fabulous.

I used heated towel rails and small radiators joined with 'Speedfit' plastic pipe and connectors.

The price difference from coastal marine suppliers and specialist canal boat suppliers was astounding....................................................

I have decided in favour of a Planar 4kw unit because the ducting and plumbing left behind by the dead Eberspacher is still there and I am also going to fit a Refleks 2062MSFK drip feed diesel stove which runs a hot water coil for radiators. All I have to do now is find and fit the radiators and - I love this - a heated towel rail in the heads compartment.

Any more advice will be most appreciated!

 

[Daedelus]

I had an eberspacher hydronic and the downside is it took about 30 minutes to get all the water hot enough to feel warmth in the boat and the matrix fans - necessary for pushing air over the matrices also take power.
The rig was set up so that the engine could also provide hot water.
The ideal for this is to get a calorifier that has separate internal heat exchange coils for the engine and the eberspacher. Otherwise the heater can spend a lot of energy in heating up the engine block first.

 

[ChromeDome]

I had an eberspacher hydronic and the downside is it took about 30 minutes to get all the water hot enough to feel warmth in the boat and the matrix fans - necessary for pushing air over the matrices also take power.
The rig was set up so that the engine could also provide hot water.
The ideal for this is to get a calorifier that has separate internal heat exchange coils for the engine and the eberspacher. Otherwise the heater can spend a lot of energy in heating up the engine block first.

Or a temp controlled valve to only connect the engine's circuit when hot.

 

[14K478]

I had an eberspacher hydronic and the downside is it took about 30 minutes to get all the water hot enough to feel warmth in the boat and the matrix fans - necessary for pushing air over the matrices also take power.
The rig was set up so that the engine could also provide hot water.
The ideal for this is to get a calorifier that has separate internal heat exchange coils for the engine and the eberspacher. Otherwise the heater can spend a lot of energy in heating up the engine block first.

Hence my extravagant decision to replace the Eberspacher with an Espar using the existing ducting and add a Refleks drip feed stove as well

 

[Halo]

I wondered about adding a 500~1000w axial electric heater inline along the output duct from a Webasto then running that on fan only so I could use shore power to gently heat and ventilate the boat. The idea being circulated & pressurised warm air would work as a dehumidifier as well.

I see a lot of people use a 500w heater together with a dehumidifier but my thought was a background heater installed to avoid packing & unpacking stuff each time the boat was used in the winter.

View attachment 165807

I think using heat as a dehumidifier will use a lot of electricity. Better to dehumidify the cold air with a desiccant such as Meaco and use heat to prevent freezing.
I had to make up some thermostats that come on at 3 degrees
Total electricity last winter cost £240 and humidity was held at 50% throughout.