Matrix Heaters?

[Tim Good]

So I'm headed to Norway this year and my old Webasto isn't amazing. It seems that fitting a Martix heater to use whilst the engine is running is a cheap and effective addition. Does anyone have any recommendations as to brand or type? Also any fitting tips? I assume I just rig it into the pipework that already goes to and from the hot water calorifier?

Found this company for starters:

http://www.mikuniheating.com/Results.cfm?category=23&secondary=15

 

[[164147]]

There are a few companies all producing a similar design like this.

The cheaper / smaller versions don't have inlet ducts to draw fresh air in but you could always have a box fabricated.

 

[NormanS]

I use a matrix from a Transit (£10 from a car breaker), installed in a box with 75mm ducting, and an inline fan. The hot water comes from (and to) the rubber tube to the calorifier. Toasty

 

[sarabande]

I have been looking at a heat exchanger sytem too for the last couple of weeks. It seems to be deliciously simple and effective.

Experience from having a caravan is that the Truma fan kit is quiet and able to push out enough hot air a decent volume. The fan takes just over 1A, so that's pretty good.

The heater matrix is going to be be from something (as above) like a Transit; with the blown air trunking again from a caravan supplier

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CARAVAN-C...0f7b92&pid=100011&rk=2&rkt=12&sd=391668890986

 

[NormanS]

Just remember that this form of heating is only for us lucky people blessed with wheelhouses or deck-saloons. It's no use to the common herd, shivering out there in their cold cockpits.
But, Oh Boy, if you're motoring in cold weather, there's nothing like it.

 

[Tim Good]

Just remember that this form of heating is only for us lucky people blessed with wheelhouses or deck-saloons. It's no use to the common herd, shivering out there in their cold cockpits.
But, Oh Boy, if you're motoring in cold weather, there's nothing like it.

Deck saloon with wheel - check
Big engine - check
Going to cold places - check

Ok I'm good to go

 

[vyv_cox]

Go for the biggest you can fit. I made the mistake of buying a micro matrix unit similar to this https://kaberperformance.com/product/micro-heater-12-volt/ It sounds great in their blurb but the first one I had was so pathetic that I returned it, thinking it was faulty. They replaced it but the new one was just the same. I have it in the wheelhouse but have to check frequently that it is running!

 

[NormanS]

When I made up and fitted mine, some years ago, I reckoned that the volume of the deck-saloon was roughly comparible to that of a van or large car. I also wanted a matrix that would if necessary be easily replaced. Hence the one from the Transit. I have no way of accurately measuring the heat output, but to my hand it feels very similar to that produced by my 4kw Eberspacher at full heat.

 

[jdc]

I fitted a matrix heater made by Mikuni for a trip to Norway and Svalbard and never regretted it for a moment. It's not for the cockpit, it's to make the cabin warm, and above all dry. Towels, bedding and clothes can all get damp over a few weeks cruise in dubious wether and the matrix heater solves that completely. It's a Kalori Silencio 2, see http://www.mikuniheating.com/Details.cfm?ProdID=172


I plumbed it in parallel with the hot-water calorifier, with an on/off valve in series with the matrix so it doesn't get hot in the tropics.

 

[Tim Good]

I plumbed it in parallel with the hot-water calorifier, with an on/off valve in series with the matrix so it doesn't get hot in the tropics.

Few more Q's. Did you find parallel worked ok? I'm thinking if the water finds it easier to go via the calorifier then it will or does hot water find its way evenly round a parallel circuit?

Also do you have a thermostatic valve from the engine circuit? My worry is that you put the heater on full tilt and then find the engine temp goes below operating temp. Is that possible?

I'm looking at these bulkhead mounted version as the power to size seems to be high plus its a good brand. I also got totally useless advice from Mikuni which didn't help. The bloke I spoke to didn't know anything about their products.

https://www.butlertechnik.com/insta...eat-exchanger-matrix-3-8kw-12v-12014045-p1353

 

[Trundlebug]

I fitted a Webasto Madera 8, 8kw matrix heater several years ago.
Have been really pleased with it although it has never seemed as powerful as 8kw would have suggested. After a few hours the whole inside saloon and wheelhouse are at 20 degrees when it's close to zero outside, but somehow it has never felt supremely powerful or hot, which I rather expected.

But great to have unlimited free heat when you're going along.

 

[Tim Good]

I fitted a Webasto Madera 8, 8kw

8 is huge! Is it rigged in series or parallel to you hot water tank? Are you sure it is getting a good enough flow of hot water to work at max output?

 

[pvb]

I fitted a Webasto Madera 8, 8kw matrix heater several years ago.
Have been really pleased with it although it has never seemed as powerful as 8kw would have suggested. After a few hours the whole inside saloon and wheelhouse are at 20 degrees when it's close to zero outside, but somehow it has never felt supremely powerful or hot, which I rather expected.

There are a few reasons why you may have found the heat output less than you expect. Firstly, the max rated output is only 7.3kW. Secondly, and of more relevance, is the fact that the 7.3kW rating is at Q100 - ie with the hot water 100 degrees C hotter than the ambient air. It's unlikely that your engine provides water that hot, so the actual output will be rather less than 7.3kW. Also, getting the maximum output also requires a high air flow rate and a high water flow rate; so you'd need it on max fan speed for starters, and you may be able to upgrade the circulation pump.