Hot Water Heating

[Phil4]

Has anyone tried attaching a matrix and fan from a hot water heating system to the warm air ducting from a conventional warm air heating system?

I have just ordered a new Etap 37 and am toying with this idea to give me hot water when I need it but without the usual complexity and cost of radiators and/or electric fans/matrix in each cabin. The boat comes pre ducted so it seems like the obvious solution. I have talked to one or two heating engineers who think it should work but were not aware of anyone ever trying it.

 

[billmacfarlane]

On my latest boat , I had a Volvo Ardic system which works in the way you describe. It's got an Ardic water heater and an Ardic fan matrix , the fan blowing over a heat exchanger and blowing hot air into the boat through ducting. For my 36' boat I found it very inefficient and couldn't heat the boat at all well . It also draws a large amount of current approx 9A with the heater and the fan unit on. I've since dumped the fan unit , replacing it with an Eberspacher Airtronic 4L , which is a much more efficient heating unit and heats the boat beautifully. I've kept the Ardic hot water unit which I can use independently as required. I presume the Etap you're buying is of double skinned construction with foam between the skins , giving it very good insulation. The Ardic system might work in your case but you'd need to get advice.

 

[aztec]

yes works well, what you need to do is go to a breakers yard that deals with light commercials, and do a deal to get a couple of heaters from an old ambulance, nice and compact and easy to mount, i say two as its best to fit one to each engine.the ones iv'e used int he past came from old bedford ambulances, mounted just behind the rear wheel arch. so good luck and let us know how you fair.

 

[ZEBEDEE]

I think that the problem that you will have is that the largest matrix that I have found is only 3.5Kw not really man enough to heat the whole boat, also the air flow from the fan is not too great to go all around the boat. I have just fitted eberspacher Hydronic 5 and running the plastic pipework with the push on connectors is a doddle and if you have paid out the money for the kit(ouch) why spoil the ship for a hapeth of tar