Dazedkipper
Well-Known Member
I am considering fitting a calorifier to my Mirage 29. Does anyone know what size it should be for this or a similar boat? I have galley and head sinks plus a shower, 4/5 berth but usually only two on board.
What size calorifier do I need?
- Thread starter Dazedkipper
- Start date
sarabande
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I read it as "cauliflower". Must be the effects of solar radiation. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
FWIW, I have a cauliflower that runs off the engine (90 shp) and has a 15 l capacity. There's also an immersion circuit of 1500 watts.
FWIW, I have a cauliflower that runs off the engine (90 shp) and has a 15 l capacity. There's also an immersion circuit of 1500 watts.
Norman_E
Well-Known Member
It is a length of the piece of string question in many ways. If you have only two aboard you can get away with a small one, but if you have a shower, you may well use all the hot water in one go. I would start to investigate this by working out where you are going to put it, remembering that you need to be able to do up pipe unions with it in situ, so a unit that just fits in to a locker may be impossible to connect once in there.
As for sizes, 20 litres would be about the smallest I would aim for, but if you are pressed for space Quick make a 16 litre rectangular one, and bigger rectangular ones are also available. One point to look for is that it is often easier to install if all connections are on one end of the unit.
As for sizes, 20 litres would be about the smallest I would aim for, but if you are pressed for space Quick make a 16 litre rectangular one, and bigger rectangular ones are also available. One point to look for is that it is often easier to install if all connections are on one end of the unit.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Within reason, get the biggest one you can fit in. And make sure it has a thermostatic mixer valve. If fitting a cylindrical calorifier to a bulkhead, remember you'll need enough space above it to get your hand in to tighten up the clamps on the mounting bands.
alan17
Well-Known Member
I fitted a surecal to my Siutherly 100. Fit the biggest that you can but remember to make sure that it will fit in through any aperture that it nned to go through not just the final resting place. I nearly fell foul of this and only got away with it by slightly flexing the sides of the cockpit locker to get it into its final location.
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Very hard to calculate if they fit into small spaces. I made a cardboard cylinder shape and found that allowing for wiggling and seating I didn't have as much room as first appeared.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
I can't see the value of getting the biggest that you can fit. In the end, you are carrying around 'dead weight' in a calorifier, as you can't pump it out. Why carry 50 litres of water if you can carry 20? I would say fit the smallest that you can, which I think was your original question.
We live on board for half the year, wash pots, pans and crockery daily and ourselves occasionally. We have a 20 litre calorifier that has never even come close to being empty of hot water. Once you get used to the idea of living on restricted water supplies you can easily shower in a litre and wash in about half that.
We live on board for half the year, wash pots, pans and crockery daily and ourselves occasionally. We have a 20 litre calorifier that has never even come close to being empty of hot water. Once you get used to the idea of living on restricted water supplies you can easily shower in a litre and wash in about half that.
FAITIRA
Well-Known Member
We have an 'Isotemp' 16L, 750w, 'slimline' it,s oblong not cylindrical and fits easily under the heads sink, it provides at least two showers, we are never short of hot water, it heats quickly from engine or mains. With more than 750w, you may have probs at times with the load on shore power., with other load on line. It came with press relief v/v, thermostatic mixer, and the usual leccy protection. I agree with vyv_cox, no point in having a bigger unit than one needs, we live aboard and a 16L tank is heaps for our needs. Bill.
pvb
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
...you can easily shower in a litre...
[/ QUOTE ]Mmmm....I can't, and my wife certainly can't!
...you can easily shower in a litre...
[/ QUOTE ]Mmmm....I can't, and my wife certainly can't!
nigelmercier
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Take a shower at home and time yourself. Now run the shower for the same time into a bucket, and measure the volume (V). You need about 50% (so V/2) of hot water for a single shower (the other 50% is cold).
I'd be inclined to go for a cauliflower that is around 2*V, to give extra for other uses, and women /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I'd be inclined to go for a cauliflower that is around 2*V, to give extra for other uses, and women /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
FAITIRA
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
...you can easily shower in a litre...
[/ QUOTE ]Mmmm....I can't, and my wife certainly can't!
[/ QUOTE ]
A litre, absolutely not!, but a gallon (5l) mixed with cold to a comfortable temp, we easily get 2 good showers from our 16l tank/cal. and in summer plenty left for the dishes etc. Bill.
[ QUOTE ]
...you can easily shower in a litre...
[/ QUOTE ]Mmmm....I can't, and my wife certainly can't!
[/ QUOTE ]
A litre, absolutely not!, but a gallon (5l) mixed with cold to a comfortable temp, we easily get 2 good showers from our 16l tank/cal. and in summer plenty left for the dishes etc. Bill.
