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Gas room heater
We have tried using many types of electric heaters over the years and none have done the job, oil filled, ceramic etc etc. And this is when the reverse cycle heating system isn't enough.
Not only do they not put out enough heat, due to the amps they draw we must be carefull what we use so as not to pop a breaker.
We only need extra heat a few times each winter (for THE ADMIRAL) so do not want to drill holes or go to any great expense.
Have seen on different boating sites that others use propane heaters, fed from a 20lb tank on deck connected to a 20ft hose.
It would SEEM to be the perfect fix for us. We would only use it when we were onboard and not during the time we were sleeping- we do have 4 CO detectors and 3 smoke alarms installed already.
We could also use it in the cockpit where we usually spend most of our time anyway, could use it when anchored out ,which we do on a monthly basis and not have to run the genset........
Plus we could put it away in the mini storage the other 355 days of the year...
Here is an example of what Home Depot has:
Charmglow
28K Btu Propane Blue Flame Heater With Thermostat
Model CGL300TB
Made for inside use.
So what is the downside that I am overlooking ?????
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Re: Gas room heater
Hey Charlie--CO fumes from a propane heater arent that bad--plus there is always enough fresh air leaking in to offset it. Also, CO is heavier that air and will go below. If your in the salon, it should be minimal. I heat my gas boat under a tarp in January with a 150,000 propane torpedo heater on a thermostat -- it makes for 80 degrees + which helps varnish, paint and glue cure, plus ya get to work in t-shirts. ALL those electric heaters are only good for 1000-1200 watts. Do the math-- 110volts X 10 amps=1100watts. Me and my dogs seem to enjoy sitting on an electric blanket at home tho-- :) ws
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Re: Gas room heater
Just a thought but try using the old thermal mass method for extra heat. Run the engines a bit and they supply heat for about 8 hours. Just a thought. and it doesnt take any time to install.
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Re: Gas room heater
The problem with propane on boats is that it's heavier than air and sinks down into the bilge if it leaks or the flame blows out. Since our bilges are enclosed (by water) the gas will build up, mix with air, and, if conditions are right, explode at the first spark. That's why boats with propane stoves have to be so careful. They have to store the propane tanks in a special compartment, isolated from the rest of the boat, and vented overboard in such a way that if a leak occurs the vapors cannot get into the vessel. Still, sailboats do it and I suppose you could too. But your insurance carrier will probably have a fit! It would be kind of like adding gas engines to a diesel boat.
An alternative to propane could be compressed natural gas (CNG). It is lighter than air, and so will rise up and out of a boat. I don't think it has the same heat value as propane, however. And it's a lot harder to find a refilling station.
For all gas systems, you would want to get a fume sniffer. This detects explosive gases in air and shuts off the supply and/or sounds an alarm. And you would still need the CO detectors.
Perhaps you could build a radiator system using the cooling water from your generator. Plenty of waste heat here just being dumped into the ocean. Add a thermostat and a fan and you should be OK.
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Re: Gas room heater
Yupp, and add to that I NEVER LEAVE MINE UN-ATTENDED even for a 10 minute trip to the hardware store. I mean I even pull the hose and cap the bottle. I also always pull the drain plug and any vapors--thinner or even gasoline wont accumulate in the bilge. At least less of it with a better chance for discovery.
My heater does have on I.R. and thermocouple interlock. At 150K you need to stagger between 2-40 lb bottles as the unit sucks so much fuel she looses pressure and freezes up. I do also use 110volt tank heater bands. ws
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Re: Gas room heater
Fume sniffer.... See, that's the stuff I need to know. I plan on leaving the tank in the cockpit and use the 20ft hose to the heater, be it in the saloon or cockpit. I can even put the tank on the side deck so it's completely in the open........
Home Depot has gas heaters that use LPG and heaters that use CNG. Guess I need to find where the local CNG dealer is.
IN our case, 30,000 BTU will heat the boat us FAST.... At which time we can turn it off.
And I have in the past run the motors to heat up the engine room and use the radiant heat. That's the down side of having wood flooring instead of carpeting
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Re: Gas room heater
When I'm on the boat in the thirties. I use 2 propane heaters that uses the little green bottles. The heater is about 16 X 12 X 8 inches. They look like a small fat red briefcase. They are called Mr. Heater. I got them from Lowe's for around $ 89. bucks. They work great on my boat. One fuel can last for about 10 hours on high. I have alarms, but I don't use the heaters when I sleep.
BILL
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Re: Gas room heater
A note of caution. I believe that the vast majority of the hunters that die every year in campers-because of gas heaters- die of suffocation and not CO poisening. Obviously, the combustion process and hence use of oxygen is occuring right there at the heater. So, the ventilation warnings that come with all of these things need to be taken very seriously. Make sure you have windows opened/hatches cracked and I would think some evidence that fresh air is flowing in. Is there such a thing as a sensor that checks for enough oxygen content in the air? I have never seen one. I have a Wallas kerosine heater that brings in the combustion air and exhausts overboard thru a coaxial stainless flex duct. Even with this, they warn me to be sure I have fresh air openings in the boat at all times.
Gary
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Re: Gas room heater
One thing I've considered but haven't tried would be to use a motorhome-
travel trailer furnace mounted in a portable box that I could put on the cabin roof or the aft deck and use flexible ducting to bring it into temporary panels in the saloon windows and aft cabin ports or bow hatch. That way the furnace and propane stay outside of the boat. The new furnaces are small they build them in under cabinets in motorhomes, operate on 12 volts,
have thermistats and auto ignition.
Mike
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Re: Gas room heater
Charlie,
my 40' er utilizes two heat pump systems which, frankly, can drive me outta the boat in mid winter (and I'm further north of you). Something ain't right. Seems you should be getting more heat out of your boat's system.
We do use however a "Mr. Heater Buddy", a propane heater for heating the aft deck in winter. Very cozy.
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...7957_200307957
If the problem persists at beddy by time you might consider an electric blanket with dual controls. Also very cozy!
Good luck,
Capt'n Bill