Heating in dinky boats..

Youse are all mad boys with your Wallas and Eberspacher heaters needing electricity and complicated wiring to run them not to mention dangerous gas heaters...my dinky 24 footer (on a swinging moorings) has a Bengco bulkhead mounted stove set up in such a way that I can have a pot of coffee or hot water on the boil all day/night (for hot toddies) ready for drinkin' . Removing four bolts it lives ashore in summer - in its summer place lives an ice box. The Bengco uses charcoal, timber, driftwood, turf - anything that burns - gives great dry heat - no condensation what soever except perhaps on the portholes glass - simplicity on a small boat is best I think!
Pelican

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"The solar panel is a great idea, provided that you only use the heater when the sun is shining:) I doubt whether a solar panel is much use for charging a battery during a British Winter" - The Solar Panel I will be fitting has been tested in Germany and is claimed to provide 720 Watt Hrs/day - Which ought to be able to cope!!!!!

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720Watt Hours on an overcast winter day at 51 degrees North when mounted on a boat (i.e. not optimal alignment with rigging shadows and the like)? That would be impressive - are these independent tests or just manufacturers figures?

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HWMO and I are taking Santa Teresa (dinky boat, 22') a-pottering and a-creeping in the Essex creeks for a week next week. Brrr. We were told of the clay pot on the gas ring fing and are going to try that - will report back on success or lack thereof when we return.

I can't stress the importance of a warm sleepy bag tho'. Had a 3-season = didn't sleep all night even with oh about 17 layers on. Then bought a (rather slinky and folds up unbelievably small) silk sleeping bag liner = was so warm virtually no 'layers' were needed.

Hot water bottles also a good cheap idea, but my personal favourite is body heat from an accomodating husband...

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Floweer Pot Variation

I used the flower pot method described elwhere in this thread with as simple modification to avoid moisture build up. I made a simple chimney flue of two stainless pipes [inner one 3/4 inch the flue and a short length of 3.5 inch] one inside the other the inner to conduct the gases from the flower pot hole, the outer to provide an air gap and insulation where it passed through the cabin roof above the cooker. It was a temporary flue only used when needed, and between times I plugged the hole in the cabin roof and stowed the chimney thing.

Later on made a small range hood thinghy above the cooker and left permanently in place to rid cooking fumes, sort of worked. When needed it was asimple job to mount and the small inner tube plugged into the flower pot hole. Also easy to convert to two burners with two flower pots and a "Y" shaped flue connector.

Talk about Bill & Ben the Flower Pot Men. Always got a few laughs but nevertheless the cheerie warmth from the flower pot and the exposed part of the chimney stopped this.

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I did the same following previous posts, but purchased a fire-brick from local ironmongers - much safer than flower-pot. Cost £4. About 8" square. Heated it on stove for about 15 minutes and it seemed to keep cabin comfy for hours last week. Minimal fuel, no noise, no smell, no extra condensation, no parts to replace, no maintainence, weighs little and takes up no space. Should last a lifetime. Has put me off buying an Eberspacher. But then again, I have a dinky boat!.

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Right then!!!

Does anybody know where I can get a Eberspacher solid fuel electric 8" fan-fire-brick with solar panel and removable flue?

Seriously tho, thatnk you everybody for your advice. I'll let you know what we decide.


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Re: Being a pro. flower pot exponent

and in the interests of safety, I did heat up some 8" & 10" clay pots today.

Findings

Yes they radiated some heat. But so does boiling the kettle.

It is possible to get an intense flame through the drain hole. So watch your headlining.

2 out of 5 shattered.

I'd reckon that sailing with a flower pot is like sailing with a lawnmower but whatever turns you on.



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ge'roff, you can't have it..

Mt b in law bought a 2nd hand Eberspacher, put it in a box and runs it to heat his van (antique dealer, does shows). works a treat - needs 12v and diesel) loads of hets - An idea
Ian

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Bengo - Chimbley Height

I am thinking of getting a Bengco for our Vega. It comes with 1m of flue pipe, which I assume is the optimum height. If possible though I would like to fit a much shorter flue pipe - maybe 2ft - as otherwise the heater will be too low down / near the bunk cushions / setting fire to ones' sleeping bag if using that berth.

How long is your flue pipe and do you ever get any downdraughts?

- Nick

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