Installed one as well on my trawler. Built a shelf in the engine room and plumbed directly into the diesel tanks with exhaust out the starboard side of the boat. Ran ducts into main cabin and cabins. They work great. 3rd winter with mine.
That was my original plan, put it in the middle of the boat (in the engine room). I was not happy with the space available so went with the rear storage locker. Glad to hear it is working 3 years later!
Good luck with the install..I have a diesel heater like that for my shed..It works well and is pretty thrifty. Same stainless double walked exhaust as you. The exhaust gets pretty hot. I'm debating wrapping the exposed pipe with fiberglass lagging, just in case something comes close. I also just realized we'd have identical boat fridges. I like the side by side setup.
Great video for showing the physical reality of working for extended times in tight spaces. I'm installing a planar heater right now in our boat, and come home very sore at day's end. Question: How is the noise level without the muffler? It would be very convenient to omit in my installation, so long as the noise isn't too excessive. Cheers!
The noise is ok-ish...we are usually so tired the noise doesn't keep us up. When it's turned right up it can be loud-ish. We are tempted to install the muffler at some point just to see how much difference it would make.
I notice you use a tool, take the battery out and then put it back in. Don't know how long between uses, but doesn't seem like more than a couple minutes. Does that make the charge last longer? Just curious. Store some of mine w the battery still in. Mainly leaf blower, but some times drill
We don't always stay ahead of the charges. We might put a battery in that only has a few minutes left. You might be seeing that. Generally a batter will last 10 consecutive minutes running the wet/dry vac or even the heat gun, which we think it pretty good. Of course the drill in a few seconds at a time so that would last quite a long time.
So now that you have a couple months aboard with the new heater and surely some colder weather, what your thoughts and opinions of the operation functionality and usefulness of the project? Any changes you would make now?
We are pleased! The heater is very effective and we have used it a number of times while anchoring. Two changes we are thinking about: 1. We got the least expensive thermostat because the other two were unavailable for delivery soon enough for us. We are not impressed with this thermostat (it does not do a great job of moderating the heat level) so we are thinking of upgrading it. 2. We only put a vent to the rear cabin and could put two additional vents in the v-berth and main cabin. We are thinking of adding the vent in the v-berth.
Nothing to do with the heater, but are you folks doing any boating courses? Canada power squadron or US Power squadron even Coast Guard Aux boating courses?
![Staying WARM on a Sailboat - Dickinsons Diesel Heater Install [EP 221]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cDo9ru0-lp0/mqdefault.jpg)
Hats off to a crew that is not afraid of tackling what needs to be done. You will enjoy what you have accomplished and enjoy the loop and rivers.
I hope so!
Chris AMAZES me at all the tight and awkward places he gets into as he makes these upgrades. Kudos to you both on your adventures...🤔👍👏👏
A year of yoga helps. I'm not kidding. He's almost been doing yoga daily for a year. Game changer.
Installed one as well on my trawler. Built a shelf in the engine room and plumbed directly into the diesel tanks with exhaust out the starboard side of the boat. Ran ducts into main cabin and cabins. They work great. 3rd winter with mine.
That was my original plan, put it in the middle of the boat (in the engine room). I was not happy with the space available so went with the rear storage locker. Glad to hear it is working 3 years later!
Good luck with the install..I have a diesel heater like that for my shed..It works well and is pretty thrifty. Same stainless double walked exhaust as you. The exhaust gets pretty hot. I'm debating wrapping the exposed pipe with fiberglass lagging, just in case something comes close.
I also just realized we'd have identical boat fridges. I like the side by side setup.
We replaced the fridge this spring. It was #1 on the priority list when we were deciding on boat projects. It has been amazing. Not one regret.
Great video for showing the physical reality of working for extended times in tight spaces. I'm installing a planar heater right now in our boat, and come home very sore at day's end. Question: How is the noise level without the muffler? It would be very convenient to omit in my installation, so long as the noise isn't too excessive. Cheers!
The noise is ok-ish...we are usually so tired the noise doesn't keep us up. When it's turned right up it can be loud-ish. We are tempted to install the muffler at some point just to see how much difference it would make.
LIKE THEY SAY JUST A TEN MINUTE JOB OVER TWO DAYS
Always!!!
I notice you use a tool, take the battery out and then put it back in. Don't know how long between uses, but doesn't seem like more than a couple minutes. Does that make the charge last longer? Just curious. Store some of mine w the battery still in. Mainly leaf blower, but some times drill
We don't always stay ahead of the charges. We might put a battery in that only has a few minutes left. You might be seeing that. Generally a batter will last 10 consecutive minutes running the wet/dry vac or even the heat gun, which we think it pretty good. Of course the drill in a few seconds at a time so that would last quite a long time.
So now that you have a couple months aboard with the new heater and surely some colder weather, what your thoughts and opinions of the operation functionality and usefulness of the project? Any changes you would make now?
We are pleased! The heater is very effective and we have used it a number of times while anchoring.
Two changes we are thinking about:
1. We got the least expensive thermostat because the other two were unavailable for delivery soon enough for us. We are not impressed with this thermostat (it does not do a great job of moderating the heat level) so we are thinking of upgrading it.
2. We only put a vent to the rear cabin and could put two additional vents in the v-berth and main cabin. We are thinking of adding the vent in the v-berth.
Nothing to do with the heater, but are you folks doing any boating courses? Canada power squadron or US Power squadron even Coast Guard Aux boating courses?
We took Boating 2/3 with CPS last year. Chris just started Boating 4.
note to self... buy a boat with a heater already installed, because I ain't goin through what Chris had to. Yikes!
It wasn't the worst job he's ever taken on! Working in the lazerette wasn't fun, though. I mean, not fun for him. I was ok with it. ;)