Permanently on 2kw oil filled radiator

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Andrew E

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I've got a 2kw oil filled radiator which I've left on the lowest thermostat settings, so hopefully it will keep the chill of the boat when I'm not there. Especially tonight as there's meant to be a widespread frost.

Do you think this is a good option and more importantly a safe one? *Note I visit the boat every 3-4 days so won't be left for long periods.

She's only a 26 foot boat, so doesn't take much to warm her up. I also have a fan heater for when I'm onboard.

I have unlimited electricity so not worried about cost.
 
I would have thought it a safe option as there are no moving parts, personally I use those tubular green house heaters as they don't have any moving parts either. I am envious of your free electricity, the marinas around Portsmouth stopped that a few years ago.
 
Andrew E said:
I've got a 2kw oil filled radiator which I've left on the lowest thermostat settings, so hopefully it will keep the chill of the boat when I'm not there. Especially tonight as there's meant to be a widespread frost.

Do you think this is a good option and more importantly a safe one? *Note I visit the boat every 3-4 days so won't be left for long periods.

She's only a 26 foot boat, so doesn't take much to warm her up. I also have a fan heater for when I'm onboard.

I have unlimited electricity so not worried about cost.
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But why?

We must have had many frosty nights ( and days ) in the past 38 years .... never left any heating on yet.... not noticed any reason why I should ........
 
Free electricity is a great perk and they only introduced it this season.

It's one of these oil filled radiators...

3_Col_OFC2000TI.jpg


I want to keep the boat frost free. First winter for the boat in the water so a bit worried about her. As I say the thermostat is on the lowest setting. I might go down later and see how warm is it inside.
 
What ever you do, don't be tempted to use a fan heater.
I left a thermostatically-controlled one unattended in the kitchen of our holiday cottage and it caught fire. Fortunately it was sitting in the middle of a stone-flagged floor and didn't set light to anything.
 
It will be very cozy and the usual ventilation through a boat will carry off any muggy air.

Normally I didn't use any heat at all when laid up but I now place a 40watt bulb under the engine in an inspection housing. This has proved excellent at keeping condensation off the engine in the bleak midwinters. You might consider it if you find condensation on the engine block of a frosty morning.
I use one of Sailorman's timers but with free electricity you are in clover.
 
There have been occasions when boats in the UK have been damaged due to water in pipes or water in engines freezing.
Not sure whether being in sea water of salt makes a great difference. But the air inland possibly can become a little colder than the coast.
 
sailorman said:
I use one of these, far more accurate way to control heaters & save £s in electricity charges too

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Heating_Index/Therm_1/index.html
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I had one of those and set it to 5 degrees - went to the boat when it was particularly cold to find out that it doesn't work below zero. Even called the manufacturer who confirmed that yes when it goes below zero then it switches off.

Have now wired the tubular heaters in with a mechanical frost stat
 
A decent dehumidifier will keep the boat better for a fraction of the cost, and provide a little background heat. A boat in the south of Britain would be unlucky to freeze up while in the water, but you should get some warning if it does.
 
Dehumidifer on low (about 20% of max) setting on a timeswitch from 1300-1600. Less likely to freeze up if not running during night hours. 60W tubeheater added in coldest weather only.
 
I use a mini 800w version of the oil-filled rad on thermostat, plus a Meaco dessicant (electric) dehumidifier. A max-min thermometer in last years very mild winter showed 2 degrees as the lowest temp reached in the saloon. That's a 35-footer ashore next to the sea in Cornwall. With this setup I can leave most kit onboard and not drain tanks.

A few years back in a long-cold-spell winter in exactly the same spot we had sheets of ice on deck for 6 weeks non-stop, and at the time I was using a 60w tube heater plus a hot-gas-defrost compressor dehumidifier that was not very effective as it spent more time de-icing itself than actually working. Had a shower spray fitting freeze up and crack.

I go on lots of boats and the ones that run dehumidifiers are always drier and warmer-feeling: it keeps the upholstery dry and stops damp-induced black mould, which once it gets under varnish on veneered wood is very difficult to fix. The only possible problem with the ultra-efficient Meacos is actually over-drying the woodwork, but they have various settings. On liftout I give a couple of days on max, then turn them down.
 
Ive owned boats for some 30 years. In the UK if you can always leave some kind of background heater on in the winter the boat will feel much drier for it. and as already stated it will help keep mildew away
 
There is another alternative and that's a small 500watt convector heater. Very compact at 25 x 25 x 11cm wide and only 700grms.

I have two, one in the saloon and one in the wheelhouse, both have thermostats and of course, don't have issues with very low temps.
They are wall mounted and great value. In fact due to the sprayed foam insulation, one is all that is needed when staying onboard during the winter unless its well below zero.

http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/...eater-500-W-White-Grey-Aurora-FW-100?ref=list
 
johnalison said:
A decent dehumidifier will keep the boat better for a fraction of the cost, and provide a little background heat. A boat in the south of Britain would be unlucky to freeze up while in the water, but you should get some warning if it does.
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Given that the op already has an oil filled rad, and he doesn't pay extra for his electric, the dehumidifier option will be considerably more expensive, assuming he'll need to go and buy one. I also have friends who lost their boat when the dehumidifier left running unattended caught fire a couple of years ago, and so am not keen on them.

To the op, we have a similar oil filled rad, and it is left permanently on its lowest setting (600W), on its built in thermostat over winter. It keeps the interior dry, mildew free and fresh smelling. Never had any problems with freezing either.
 
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