Pipe Heaters

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Dougie_the_Mate

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We went up to the boat yesterday to find that the 110/120 watt pipe heater which we use to avoid excessive damp had expired. To say I was disappointed is an understatement since its predecessor was on the boat when we bought her and had served us dutifully for 8 years. The old one was warm all the time it was plugged in while the new one seemed to have a cut off switch over which we had no control - consequently it was less efficient as a winter warmer. However it has now expired and I am seeking advice on where to acquire one which is reliable and durable.

I have looked online and as with all such things there is a wide range of opinion as to quality and effectiveness. I thought I would ask on here as those of you who inhabit this space will know what I am looking for in terms of the environment in which the heater will be needed.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Dougie
 
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If you think that so little heat is enough, why not just use an incandescent light bulb? Much cheaper than a tube heater.
 
And all electric heating is 100% efficient ... no losses. All the power ends up as useful heat.

All you have to do is decide how much power you need.

Go larger than absolutely necessary and put it on thermostatic control is the best idea. Plenty of heat when required in very cold weather and control of it in warmer weather.


Tubular heaters are probably the best choice although IIRC they are only 60watts per foot. Small convectors , provided you don't/can't cover them, probably the next best choice.
 
Google "tube heaters" or "greenhouse heaters" to make your choice. Dimplex are a reliable make and anything between 80 to 120 w seem popular. Like you, I use a one in the winter in the fore cabin where ventilation circulation is not as good as in the main cabin. In the main cabin I use a small oil filled radiator about 1 kW and thermostatically regulated.
If you have an Argos store near to you, they sell both above types, reasonably priced.
 
I use a tubular greenhouse heater from TLC, of slightly different design. One point to look out for with small convectors or oil filled radiators is that their manufacturers may stipulate that they should not be used unattended - that was so with one radiator I looked at - which is unlikely to apply to a greenhouse heater.
 
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And I have found the combined on/off thermostatic switch on the oil-filled radiators to be unreliable. OTOH, my tubular greenhouse heaters, with no switches or thermostats, just go on working
 
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