Propex gas heaters

used these on 2 boats over 10 years generally reliable and simple to run or fix, only thing is they are a bit sensitive to low voltage and can cut out when batteries are flat. In this case the system seems to go on hold and it is merely necessary then to reset the thermostat to restart. Polished stainless hull flue fittings can be hard to get now. Lots for sale 2nd hand quite cheap - I think PO site vans used to have them fitted and these models come with a one hour timer fitted, which can be disabled to fit a thermostat.
Overall would recommend and seem much quieter and cheaper than ebers or webasto diesel heaters, which also need adequate power to drive the pump and fan.
 
I've had a smaller one for the best part of 10 years now. It only malfunctioned once and that was after a knockdown where water must have got into the intake. The water just sat in the bottom of the "U" bend and prevented it from lighting up. Once I'd emptied the water out, it was fine.

Mine is the smaller 1600 watt one and it is only just adequate for our small boat. Also, I have to say that running on butane, it stops working when the weather gets cold (!) The gas just gets too cold and liquefies! I don't know if they can be adapted to run on propane, but that would seem better. Ours tends to give up around freezing point.
 
Quote from Propex site
"The HS2000 and HS2800 heaters are automatic thermostatically controlled blown air heating systems fulled by propane or butane gas. Heatsource is designed for a variety of automotive and marine applications as a source of heat totally independent of the engine."
cheers Joe
 
had the smaller one. worked without problems unlike many ebers. didnt seem to use a lot of gas. all in, a good piece of kit.
 
I use a propex which I run on propane. Totally reliable and uses approx. one 13kg cyl. a month during winter, also have gas oven and 3 hobs (liveaboard) Would recommend one to anyone.
 
Sorry about this, I bought a Propex heater, new, and it would not run when the temp dropped below 5 deg C, just when you needed it, changed the gas to Propane, still no good, so you should be fine in mild weather. I now have an Eber.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Sorry about this, I bought a Propex heater, new, and it would not run when the temp dropped below 5 deg C.

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine works fine whatever the temperature - must have been something wrong with yours. Did you contact Propex about it?
 
Yes I did, it worked fine in their workshop. When they did send me a new replacement heater, I just sold it all on ebay. The company I bought from would not give me a refund, in having the item tested they had fulfilled their obligation as a supplier and were not obliged to refund me, or so I was told. I don't blame Propex and evidence shows they do work OK, I'm sure I just had a crap supplier who made life difficult.
 
Just bought a new 2.1KW in 1.9KW output and it smelled a bit at first, just newness but I am very pleased with it now as it is much more powerful than the old 1.6kw in 1.2kw output. Propex area nice company to deal with also as are dealers Just Kampers which were best on price (£420). Toasty.
 
I put one into my F27 trimaran and it runs off the Camping Gaz which I know is an expensive way of doing it but it's all I've got. I deliberately didn't plumb the outlet pipe into the boat but left it lying loose along the back of the bunk. There is absolutely no better feeling than coming into the cabin when it is minus something stupid outside and shoving it down your trousers.....(or up your jumper depending on preference)!
 
I fitted one earleir this year. Purchased direct from Propex at Ringwood. Works well when used. Propex are keen to please and very helpful with advice that is very difficult to put on to paper.
 
This thread is more than six years old, so nickvass has probably come to a decision by now! However, Propex heaters have not changed a great deal in that time, nor for many years before. I first fitted one in about 1990 and last fitted one in 2013. Less sophisticated than most diesel equivalents but a third of the price, albeit rather more costly to run. No facility to 'tick over' like an Eberspacher, either on or off, which I find not to be a problem on a small boat.
 
The big advantage of an oil fired heater over a gas fired is fuel cost. Diesel being much cheaper (and falling). I like the look of a drip feed type like a Sigma as they don't need any power, have nothing to go wrong and look kinda 'homely'. Not sure if you can use them while sailing though due to the flue.
 
re the drip feed versions, what happens if your at an angle ?
Most of the oli fired heater use a toby valvbe which could if the angle got a bit steep allow more through
 
Disadvantages compared to properly specified diesel heating: 1) Must use recirculated (or stale) air to give any real heat. 2) Temperature fluctuations due to on/off operation. 3) Need to carry extra gas if you want to keep them running. 4) Can be problematic if you run them and the hob or oven at the same time due to large volume of gas "boiling off" which in very cold weather can lead to the regulator freezing up.
Advantages: 1) Cheap. 2) see 1
I have swapped a few out at customer requests, usually during the first winter after boat purchase, mostly due to 2 & 3.
 
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