Lay up heaters/dehumidifiers - what are you using?

ari

ari

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It's just starting to get properly cold (ice on the car this morning) so thoughts are turning to how best to look after the boat through the winter.

I'm thinking a couple of those tubular greenhouse heaters, one in the cabin and one in the engine space. But on timers or just left on constantly? (Metered shore power supply, and no idea how much thee things burn).

Also dehumidifier, good idea for keeping the cabin dry? (Am fearful of mould). And if so, on a timer or left to run on a low setting?
 
I have a tube heater in the engine bay and a smaller radiant heater near the calorifier . Both thermostatically controlled.
I have the domestic water drained off but always concerned the calorifier may have some water left in it.

In the accommodation I use a Meaco desiccant dehumidifier which I bought towards the end of last winter. Moisture traps are okay but they seemed a little inadequate over last winter.

I leave the dehumidifier running and it cuts out automatically when it reaches the set level of humidity, or when the tank is full of water. I am easily able to visit the boat as often as is necessary.
 
I bought 2 of these

VonHaus 6 Fin 800W Mini Electric Portable Oil Filled Radiator Electrical Heater https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/282637932307

Good size for storing away and chuck out quite a lot of heat surprisingly. One in the engine room, one in the hallway.

I then have a delonghi ariadry 16l dehumidifier set on low near to one of the rads. It turns itself off at below 5 degrees which is good.

When all on, the draw is about 8 -10 amp 240v (inc batt charger). The rads cut in and out of course so that draw is not permanent.

All cupboard doors open etc and that’s about it.
 
ari said:
It's just starting to get properly cold (ice on the car this morning) so thoughts are turning to how best to look after the boat through the winter.

I'm thinking a couple of those tubular greenhouse heaters, one in the cabin and one in the engine space. But on timers or just left on constantly? (Metered shore power supply, and no idea how much thee things burn).

Also dehumidifier, good idea for keeping the cabin dry? (Am fearful of mould). And if so, on a timer or left to run on a low setting?
Click to expand...

I have tube heater in engine bay and also 1 in the cabin, These are connected to these
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SMET05.html

Have worked for me in past years and do not cost that much to run, I feel better to run on thermostat rather than timer. This way they only on when actually needed, Not easy to pop down to the boat as its an hours drive away
 
I also use tube heaters with thermostatic plugs. 3 in the engine room and lazerette. I have used the TLC plugs, but they are not the most reliable. I use a Marco dessicant dehumidifier set to run for about 3 hours in 24. I have been advised not to run 24/7 as they can dry the woodwork too much, and cause cracks.
 
I use tube heaters with thermostat plugs:
1 under engine
1 under calorifier
1 in head
1 in master cabin

I also have a dehumidifier draining into the galley sink. It is a Meaco, and I rely on it switching off when it achieves target RH.

I also run the water system taps until dry, then put 5L Freezeban plus 5L water in the tank, and run the taps until the effluent is pink.
 
Some great advice, thanks.

Currently thinking a Meaco DD8L Junior for the cabin (from what I've read it seems that you can set the humidity level and leave it running constantly without it over drying becasue once it reaches target humidity it shuts down, and then 'samples' the air every 30 mins and only runs if needed). Apparently it warms slightly also.

And then probably a single tube heater in the engine space left running constantly.

Might add another heater inside on a thermostat to cut in when it gets close to freezing.
 
ari said:
Currently thinking a Meaco DD8L Junior for the cabin (from what I've read it seems that you can set the humidity level and leave it running constantly without it over drying becasue once it reaches target humidity it shuts down, and then 'samples' the air every 30 mins and only runs if needed). Apparently it warms slightly also.

.
Click to expand...

Yes it does exactly that.
I visited the boat this afternoon and the dehumidifier had cut out having achieved the set humidity level.

Be aware no dehumidifier will work when its really cold .
.
 
+1 Meaco DD8L from Amazon it is held in place with bungies and drains into the galley sink and so overboard, this is on year round with a relatively low humidity setting when it gets quite cold so this week to end of feb I use small oil filled electric heaters about £25 ish from amazon, I use them on a low stat setting just to keep the heat up.

I have an aft cabin boat 48ft engine room access from aft cabin, so one heater in aft cabin by engine room access door 2ft 6in high door, which is open, all doors open inside boat, Meaco in Galley which is low forward of saloon and one heater in galley.

I also bought a cheap humidity meter which is like a travel alarm clock size about £8 ish from Amazon, to check humidity. When the Meaco was on full blast the humidity came down to 20% which if I am right starts drying out the woodwork and so can split joints etc so i raised the humidity setting.

With the exception of engine room air intakes all windows and exterior doors/hatches are closed, its amazing what the Meaco pulls out over 24hrs.

No condensation, mildew or mustiness.

PBO did a test on dehumidifiers in about 2015 and the DD8L was voted the best.

Bear in mind I am in Channel Islands so no extreme prolonged freezes.
 
Scala said:
You need the dehumidifier to drain into the sink, unless you can visit frequently enough to empty it. Also remember to close all vents and ports so you're not trying to dehumidify constantly changing air.
Click to expand...

+1 to that - we have to leave our boat for 4-6 months each year unattended so the Maeco Junior is ideal as it both drains down a sink and crucially remembers the last setting and switches back on automatically after a power outage. So we can leave clothes and bedding on board all winter and find them fresh in the spring.
 
Nothing on the dehumidifier front, I open the small porthole windows a crack to aid ventilation. IMO good ventilation is key. Yet to have an issue with black mould or condensation issues. Tube heater in engine room.
 
I have a not-patented “two tube heaters attached to plywood” device.
Dehumidifier thingy and an oil filled radiator will go onboard once lifted out, which will be shortly.

Fkwmd7.jpg
 
FlowerPower said:
I have a not-patented “two tube heaters attached to plywood” device.
Dehumidifier thingy and an oil filled radiator will go onboard once lifted out, which will be shortly.

Fkwmd7.jpg
Click to expand...

Planning on eating your dinner off the bilge floor I see!!

Did you install the grating floor? Look great
 
Grating comes that way as standard.
Bilge is not perfect - you would have a few crunchy bits of green paint flakes in your dinner.
 
Pet hates in an engine room no 1 Grating or Chequer Plate floor panels.

These might look fine in a ship or a commercial boat when the crew wear toetecter shoes and knee pads.

But on a liesure boat with a cramped engine room which you generally only go down when it is calm in port it is agony on the knees, to lie on or on the elbows.
 
I’d agree that it’s not comfy to kneel on. But there is enough space around and above the engines so that this doesn’t happen on a day to day basis. Another option is to sit on it, with feet on the lower section of checkerboard. This leaves you with a backside resembling a baboon that has sat on a waffle iron.
 
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