Solid fuel heating

[chockswahay]

Our boat has a Luke charcoal burning cabin heater. I would say that it looks better that it performs (solid brass and soapstone).

Am I expecting too much from it? It burns charcoal OK but messy and will not 'stay in' for much more than 2 to 3 hours or so.

The heat is good and I like the idea of 'no electricity' but I wonder if a Taylors diesel burner would provide more heat/overnight burning.

We tried burning wood but too much tar etc.

Does anyone else have experience of Luke heaters?

Actually I would welcome ALL COMMENTS on either wood/coal/diesel heaters. What I do know is that I don't want blown air due to current drain.

Many thanks

Chox

 

[roly_voya]

Charchole is good for small areas short term such as warming a sleeping cabin befor bed but not really enough for main heater. Deisel heaters are really good, Taylors for a small boat or in warm climates but for serious output look at thing like the Reflex. A cution, if you run off main tank you could run short of fuel to get the boat to fuel point! Alternative is a solid fuel stove, gives a 'real fire' tons of heat and burns anything from stove nuts to driftwood. Both the last to can also heat water and run radiators but need a pump to do so albeit much smaller power draw than blown air. I am filling multi-fuel stove with water heating and one radiator currently but been on lots of boats with both deisel and solid fuel stoves - conclusion, they both do the job, deisel is cleaner & more convienient but solid fuel is more homely and gives a proper 'fireplace'. probably down to personal choice and style of boat, on an old gaffer hase to be solid fuel, new plastic cruiser, probably diesel. Verly ittle to choise between them for fitting. Look at Kuranda marine for diesel and advice on output. I have also found most information by looking at canal boat shops rater than chandlers. There was also a recent article on fitting solid fuel stoves in PBO. Good luck and warm toes

 

[fluffc]

I too have both an Eberspacher and a Solid Fuel fire. I prefer using the solid fuel fire as it keeps the boat dry, but doesn't stay in. The eber is on for a short while in the morning to get me out of bed!

Its' a bit like having a house with gas/oil central heating and conventional fire places...

 

[Alastairdent]

I have solid fuel - but prob a lot more space than you.

I'm also fitting a diesel heater - to get heat to other areas, and overcome the 'sauna' effect. This happens with solid fuel when you stoke it up to warm up boat quickly, then there is no 'turn it down' option once the boat is warm.

My little taylor (79D) comes with a titchy tank that will last for 30hrs - that's enough, really, as you can top it up.

All of this type of diesel heater say "don't leave unattended". The better ones come with a heat 'fuse' so if the heater wooshes up, the fuel is cut off.

This can happen if downdraft blows out the heater - then fuel drips in, and it re-ignites. Scuttlebutt on web has this happening if you don't follow installation instructions, and if the flue pipe isn't carefully situated.

Both solid fuel and diesel will dry your cabin. Great for winter.

 

[Simes]

Hi Chox, Et Al,

We were looking around at Excel for an answer to this issue. we have a bigish Schooner to heat. Already have a wood burner but susspect that there may be issues with locallised heat spots, so want somthing that will give more control and more coverage. Friends onboard their 60 foot schooner have fitted a very traditional looking diesel fired wood burner look alike. It runs 4 radiators, heats the saloon and provides constant hot water from a pot on the top.
My intention is to fit a Dickinson diesel fired stove, this will be big enough to run 3 rads, and provide radiated heat for the dog house and saloon. should use about 1 gallon of diesel a day when turned up full! We will keep the wood burner for its traditional looks and friendly warming flames.

Willing to "talk" more, Simon

 

[seagypsywoman]

I also would like to get a solid fuel heater, but there is only one place to put one - on the bulkhead. I was able to find two that will fit, the Bengco and the Dickinson/Newport. Does anyone know of any other ones?
Barbara
seagypsywoman@yahoo.ca