Plum
Well-known member
Interesting thought!
Taylor’s diesel heater?
- Thread starter Gsailor
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srm
Well-known member
If in the UK and wanting to find Red Diesel take your fuel cans for a drive into an agricultural rural area. Many roadside filling stations will have a red diesel pump for tractors etc. My last home port in the UK had a filling station just up the road from the marina that was cheaper than the marina's supply as no VAT mark up for propulsion.
I have had both types of Taylor cabin heaters, both paraffin pressure and diesel drip feed on a bigger boat. Only problem was down drafts on the drip feed flue one of which extinguished the burner. The vapour then explosively reignited in the flue, no damage but concerning and a lot of oily black smuts blown out of the joints.
My preference is now for the Walace diesel cabin heater, a bit bulky and needs electric supply but the two I have had always worked reliably. It also ran at a higher temperature than the LPG unit I replaced on one boat.
I have had both types of Taylor cabin heaters, both paraffin pressure and diesel drip feed on a bigger boat. Only problem was down drafts on the drip feed flue one of which extinguished the burner. The vapour then explosively reignited in the flue, no damage but concerning and a lot of oily black smuts blown out of the joints.
My preference is now for the Walace diesel cabin heater, a bit bulky and needs electric supply but the two I have had always worked reliably. It also ran at a higher temperature than the LPG unit I replaced on one boat.
BabaYaga
Well-known member
I don't know about Taylors, but for instance Refleks diesel heaters can be specified with a combustion air intake, which can be used to create a "balanced flue". This can overcome the down draft problem to a large extent, I believe.
My diesel cabin heater is very similar to the Refleks. Air intake is on the coach roof beside the exhaust pipe. I have not had any down draft problems with this set up (although I have not really used it while sailing in heavy weather, only moderate conditions).
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srm
Well-known member
Likewise I think the Dickinson heaters, or a similar make, can have a balanced flue, and have a fan assist to keep a draft when lighting.
One of my first cruises was on a boat launched in 1914. It had a charcoal stove for heating. We sailed with the hatch open in fresh conditions one morning and the stove still burning from overnight. The airflow reversed; fresh air down the flue and exhaust fumes through the hatch and into the cockpit. An eye watering experience for a couple of hours.
I only used my Taylors diesel heater when moored or at anchor, without a balanced air flow it could be dangerous at sea.
One of my first cruises was on a boat launched in 1914. It had a charcoal stove for heating. We sailed with the hatch open in fresh conditions one morning and the stove still burning from overnight. The airflow reversed; fresh air down the flue and exhaust fumes through the hatch and into the cockpit. An eye watering experience for a couple of hours.
I only used my Taylors diesel heater when moored or at anchor, without a balanced air flow it could be dangerous at sea.
14K478
Well-known member
That’s exactly the point!
A spray hood (a dodger to our cousins across the pond) greatly accentuates the effect… what is going on is that the cockpit of a boat particularly when going to windward is a relatively low pressure area… don’t ask me how I know this…
Bristolfashion
Well-known member
I suspect that HVO, which is available now or, in the future, a synthetic diesel would run these heaters.
KAM
Well-known member
I've had a Taylor's paraffin heater on 2 boats over 30 years. Main problem is the stove is consumable. The casing and matrix oxidize and burn away fairly rapidly due to the most appropriate grade of stainless not being used. Ive had to replace both twice. On my last boat the weld down the back of the burner case split allowing combustion products into the cabin. It was invisible until the stove was dismantled. Burner also needed replacemet although the new German ones seem very good. Cost of spares is astronomical and would buy several Chinese heaters. I have both but tend to use the Chinese more often now.
Minerva
Well-known member
The problem with that plan is you’ll be anchored somewhere on a cold autumnal evening, stick the stove on powered by chip shop oil and 45 minutes later you’ll have an overwhelming hankering for some chips, but no way of satiating your craving!
Plum
Well-known member
My diesel fired Taylors is over 30 years old and the original stainless combustion chamber is still very good.
Minerva
Well-known member
If I may rekindle this thread - how conspicuous is the diesel smell in the exhaust gasses out the chimney?
After the most recent cold snap I’m considering installing a Taylor’s diesel heater in my garden office to keep me toasty when working from home…
After the most recent cold snap I’m considering installing a Taylor’s diesel heater in my garden office to keep me toasty when working from home…
Plum
Well-known member
None that I have detected. Top of the chimney needs to be above any structures that may interfere with air flow, the heater needs to be very low, say 150mm above the floor and Taylors do specify a minimum chimney length. When it is very windy i fit an additional chimney section to aid lighting.
dgadee
Well-known member
I have a Sigmar. They are now out of business.
srm
Well-known member
Any fumes will be slight and should soon disperse, it does not burn much fuel as can be seen in the sight glass for the drip feed. I ran mine on paraffin which is a bit cleaner.
