installing a hot water system and heating

[eidiohir]

I want to install a hot water system and radiators on Jerod my Colvic Watson 34. I plan to do the work myself and I an looking for information on the best way forward. Can any more learned forumites point me towards sources of information? By the way why are calorifiers so expensive?

 

[David2452]

If you PM me an email address I can send you the dealer install manuals for marine coolant based system installs, also I have the Webasto software for calculating the required boiler output, though from past experience I suspect a Webasto TTC would suit. I do like a wet system, they really only have one disadvantage (rad mounting space aside) inasmuch as they take longer to warm the boat than blown air. Try to use proper radiators, type 22 double panel if possible, they are available in quite small sizes now, and avoid matrix, the temperature reached by diesel boilers is a bit low for them really, they are fine with engine temperatures but I have stopped using them on boilers due to customer dissatisfaction. An important point is to load it well so it doesn't cycle and coke up. Calorifiers come in all different sizes, configurations and prices, just shop around, try to use a twin coil so the engine heats it as well as the boiler.

 

[eidiohir]

pm sent

 

[pcatterall]

If you are really into DIY then a 'wet' Eberspacher type set up may be of interest. We had a set up using a BT ( sorry David) Eberspacher and Calorifier cost was £300 We used 2 x finned rads with low wattage fans. It worked fine and we were going to plumb in the rads to work also off the engine and considering that the eberspacher could preheat the engine!! ( but all the valves got too much for our little brains and we sold the boat!!)

 

[eidiohir]

It seems a little drastic to sell the boat because of trouble sorting out valves. Seriously through it shouldn't be too hard my son is an electrician and I am handy in making tea and carrying tools.

 

[hartcjhart]

If you PM me an email address I can send you the dealer install manuals for marine coolant based system installs, also I have the Webasto software for calculating the required boiler output, though from past experience I suspect a Webasto TTC would suit. I do like a wet system, they really only have one disadvantage (rad mounting space aside) inasmuch as they take longer to warm the boat than blown air. Try to use proper radiators, type 22 double panel if possible, they are available in quite small sizes now, and avoid matrix, the temperature reached by diesel boilers is a bit low for them really, they are fine with engine temperatures but I have stopped using them on boilers due to customer dissatisfaction. An important point is to load it well so it doesn't cycle and coke up. Calorifiers come in all different sizes, configurations and prices, just shop around, try to use a twin coil so the engine heats it as well as the boiler.

oohhh oohhh yes please, pm sent

 

[JerryHawkins]

Hi Eidi,

I fitted an Eberspacher Hydronic D5 when we bought Lytham Green, our CW34 some years ago now. This supplies two 2KW fan matrix units, one in the main saloon and one in the wheelhouse, plus a heated towel rail in the heads (luxury!) and a small double standard radiator in the forward cabin. This all works very well except on the coldest of winter days when we use the Refleks instead. For hot water, we don't use a calorifier with the eber, but use a gas Rinnai instant water heater. This way we have as much hot water as we have gas and cold water in the tanks!

One of the best additions to this (albeit expensive) was to add the GSM eber unit so we can dial up the boat and turn the heating on!

 

[pcatterall]

Standard rads will be great if there is room ( and I guess the OPs yacht is quite roomy) We did like the fan matrix units as the seemed to spread the heat across the floor, warming the old tootsies then circulating upwards

 

[Gordonmc]

Standard rads will be great if there is room ( and I guess the OPs yacht is quite roomy) We did like the fan matrix units as the seemed to spread the heat across the floor, warming the old tootsies then circulating upwards

I would like to extend the wet heating into the saloon but have been unable to find suitable radiators.
Anyone out there got any leads?
The closest I can find are skirting board rads which I could put down one side of the cabin at floor level (obviously) against the bench seating, but are they robust enough to survive being kicked?
The set up is a D5W in the aft lazarette exhausting out of the transom, 12v matrix in the aft cabin and circulating through the calorifier. Does that sound as though there would be enough heat for a rad in the saloon?
If not I could by-pass the calorifier, I guess.