Unattended electric heaters

[ylop]

I agree with Norman, tube heaters or oil filled rads are ok, no to fan heaters.

Intuitively I agree about fan heaters... if we were in a position to use them at home most of us would turn them off before going to bed or if leaving the building. (Although that might be as much that they are really expensive to run, and very quick to warm up a cold area). If it is a fire hazard, what we are saying is we expect them to burst into flames and we are quite happy for them to do that if we are nearby! The firebrigade seem to advocate not using a washing machine when you are out the house on the same basis - this seems illogical to me - if my washing machine catches fire when I am home, by the time the fire brigade arrive the damage will be extensive and I'll either be tempted to fight it myself (increasing risk) or risk being trapped by the smoke/fire in the first place. It would actually be more logical to say - never stay in the house when the washing machine is on if they are that risky!

Does anyone have any evidence of a dehumidifer catching fire on a boat? If so I'd like to see it. I'm not doubting anyone's word but I do wonder if this is an urban myth. If it happens (or ever happened) it would be interesting to read the report as to how and why.

I don't doubt that it's possible for any item of mains electrical equipment to catch fire but if a dehumidifier is in good condition, well-positioned and protected by a fuse or circuit breaker I should have thought the chances of a fire are vanishingly small.

The marina I over wintered in last year had very specific rules on types of dehummer that were permitted, and backed it up with links to actual incidents not just hearsay. If i remember correctly they were saying that at very low temps (sub zero?) some dehummers struggled, overheated and had caused fires. They had never been designed to be used in freezing temperatures. This is Scotland where sub zero is common and would not be particularly exceptional for the interior of a boat to reach that too.

 

[Refueler]

To me - a Dehumi is a Dehumi ... a Heater is a Heater .... I really do not like combo machines ...

 

[MikeBz]

Intuitively I agree about fan heaters... if we were in a position to use them at home most of us would turn them off before going to bed or if leaving the building. (Although that might be as much that they are really expensive to run, and very quick to warm up a cold area). If it is a fire hazard, what we are saying is we expect them to burst into flames and we are quite happy for them to do that if we are nearby!

If the fan in a fan heater stops working then there is a pretty good chance of it overheating. I don't expect that to happen but clearly the fan won't last for ever. I wouldn't leave one unattended for very long, and if I heard the fan stop I would switch it off pronto. Dessicant dehumidifiers have some similarity, i.e. a heated element a fan.

 

[Supertramp]

Intuitively I agree about fan heaters... if we were in a position to use them at home most of us would turn them off before going to bed or if leaving the building. (Although that might be as much that they are really expensive to run, and very quick to warm up a cold area). If it is a fire hazard, what we are saying is we expect them to burst into flames and we are quite happy for them to do that if we are nearby! The firebrigade seem to advocate not using a washing machine when you are out the house on the same basis - this seems illogical to me - if my washing machine catches fire when I am home, by the time the fire brigade arrive the damage will be extensive and I'll either be tempted to fight it myself (increasing risk) or risk being trapped by the smoke/fire in the first place. It would actually be more logical to say - never stay in the house when the washing machine is on if they are that risky!


The marina I over wintered in last year had very specific rules on types of dehummer that were permitted, and backed it up with links to actual incidents not just hearsay. If i remember correctly they were saying that at very low temps (sub zero?) some dehummers struggled, overheated and had caused fires. They had never been designed to be used in freezing temperatures. This is Scotland where sub zero is common and would not be particularly exceptional for the interior of a boat to reach that too.

My dehumidifier will shutdown and await spring if the temperature drops below about 3-5C. I use mine with a tube heater. I look after it (and the tube heater), service and inspect it and use it when needed. Having kept boats ashore (and afloat) without heat/humidity control, the benefit to internal furnishings and electrics is significant. I remove sails but cannot take cushions off.