HOTPOINT HEATER.....any good?

[SHUG]

I'm thinking of installing a Hotpoint heater which runs off the engine cooling circuit (and includes the calorifier).
Has anybody had experience of this type of heater and what are the potential problems?
http://www.asap-supplies.com/brands/hotpot/hotpot-cabin-heater-722112

 

[William_H]

I would think that the problem is that you only get heat when the engine is running and shortly after. (my commnet is not specific to this heater). I would think it far better to be able to heat a calorifier insulated tank then be able to pump hot water around for heating when you want it and hopefully lasting a lot longer after engine shut down. (and of course usable on shore power). But then what would I know. Hae never dreamed of fitting a boat heater. (Aircon maybe) olewill

 

[PCUK]

Ah, you mean Hotpot. Basically a marine car heater. As said only works while engine is running.

 

[David2452]

You will need a decent sized motor to supply enough waste heat for that beast to work at any efficiency at all, I would suspect the usual yacht little auxiliary motor would not cut the mustard by quite a margin. It's basically a coach heater.

 

[Sarnia]

An American sailor I know has a very novel means of heating his saloon, he is a liveaboard on the Inland Waterway.
He used ceramic flower pots over a heat source, even night lights he says work ok, he also adds several on top of each other when needed over a small gas cooker flame, he claims it is very cosy, no need for sweaters, and it does get cold where he is.

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

An American sailor I know has a very novel means of heating his saloon, he is a liveaboard on the Inland Waterway.
He used ceramic flower pots over a heat source, even night lights he says work ok, he also adds several on top of each other when needed over a small gas cooker flame, he claims it is very cosy, no need for sweaters, and it does get cold where he is.

I presume that it wroks only on dull winter days

 

[pvb]

An American sailor I know has a very novel means of heating his saloon, he is a liveaboard on the Inland Waterway.
He used ceramic flower pots over a heat source, even night lights he says work ok, he also adds several on top of each other when needed over a small gas cooker flame, he claims it is very cosy, no need for sweaters, and it does get cold where he is.

Hugely effective - those tea light candles give out about 20 watts of heat! Enough to generate sub-tropical temperatures, no doubt! For a more balanced view, see http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?336399-hot-boat-hot-office-for-8p-a-day

 

[SHUG]

All good stuff and highly entertaining but has anybody actually used the HOTPOINT heater?

 

[David2452]

Not that particular brand but similar ones (it's only a matrix and very power hungry fans), please advise what you intend to use as a hot water supply for it and I can give you a better answer. Just consider what you have to put into it to get the claimed 10,000w output.

 

[SHUG]

The intention is to use it only when the engine (35HP) is running and use the engine indirect cooling water which is also shared with the calorifier.
I note that there are three fan speeds so 10KW would only be used occassionaly. I realise management would be involved in striking a balance between the domestic hot water needs and the heating requirements.
It seems a good way of getting a heating system into a wooden boat where there is no chance of locating an Eber or the like.
Thanks for useful comments thus far