Diesel Heater Install in 38-200

[AlanO]

I've done a search in the form, but haven't found the info I'm looking for. Hopefully I'm not being redundant.

The POs left behind a diesel heater (Chinese 2.0 KW) and various parts for an install they never completed. One of my projects this summer/fall is do the install. This would replace the Force 10 propane heater that no longer ignites mounted in the cabin bulkhead above the settee. I'm hoping that folks that have installed similar diesel heaters may have some guidance on mounting location and duct routing in an 38-200. It seems like every boat model has its own unique layout that constrains where the best mounting and duct routing locations are. The parts included a dedicated fuel tank, but it seems like using the main diesel tank and adding a T in the fuel line would be less hassle and better use of space.

My initial idea is to mount the heater in the port cockpit locker and route the duct through the bulwark, then behind the shower seat, under the sink, behind the head, into the cabinet aft of the nav station, and mount an outlet at the bottom of the cabinet. Another option is route the duct through the engine room and into the aft berth, but that would constrain the ability to heat the main cabin and V-berth. One major challenge with mounting the heater in the cockpit locker is where to mount the exhaust thru-hull that avoids a tripping or burn hazard. I'm also loath to cut another hole in the boat when there is a well-located (from tripping or burn hazard perspective) stack for the existing heater.

I would consider mounting the heater in the forward settee locker and reuse the existing stack for the exhaust, but I am wary of fan noise and risk of CO leakage in the cabin. A proper install and maintenance should mitigate for CO and we have a CO alarm, so I am mostly concerned about fan noise if the heater is used at night.

Any guidance from people that have installed this style of diesel heater on their boat would be helpful, especially if you have a 38-200. It would also be good know how noisy these heaters are. If it is fairly mild, that means there are more options. How hot does the exhaust get? What are the advantages to a dedicated fuel tank?

Thanks.

Alan

 

[AlanO]

As a bit of a follow-up. I dug around and there appears to be replacements for the Force 10 heater base (https://www.suremarineservice.com/Heat/Propane-Heater-Parts/10400.html). The Dickinson/Sig Marine Cozy Cabin heaters appear to be identical to the Force 10. Has anyone used these sig marine replacements to extend the life of your propane heater? I might reconsider bailing on the Force 10.

Alan

 

[southofvictor]

Hi Alan, our 38-200 has the heater mounted in the starboard cockpit locker on a shelf outboard and slightly aft of the primary winch location. It's fed from a tee fitting off of the main (only) diesel tank. Thermostat is located at the nav station. Exhaust runs aft to an exhaust port on the starboard quarter. Intake air hose runs forward about 4 feet from the forward end of the heater and just terminates inside the locker. Forced air ducting goes to 3 places: aft end of the inboard bulkhead of the aft cabin, inboard side of the aft shower bulkhead, and through the starboard side of the engine compartment to a vent on the engine cowling. Our 38-200 has the engine mounted under the companionway.

 

[AlanO]

Quincy has the same layout as Gravlax and the forced air outlets you have sound much simpler than my initial idea.....thanks. For the engine cowling vent, do you temporarily disconnect the duct when working on the engine so the cowling can be pulled out of the way? On Gravlax, the diesel fill fitting is located aft of the starboard winch and jib cleat and there seems to be just enough room for another fitting. Is that where you have your exhaust, or is it outboard through the hull?

 

[Loren Beach]

Different boat, so the install is different, but I can report that we like having a separate tank for the forced air furnace. That way we can use only #1 Diesel (aka kerosine) for the furnace. This reduces combustion odors and hopefully will much delay the need to clean carbon buildup from the innards of the heater.
As for ducting, we opted to keep it simple. Main (larger) duct is routed forward blowing into the front half of the boat, and there is a smaller duct Y'ed off into the aft head.

Needed, perhaps, Edit: Make certain that your furnace has an outside air supply per ABYC recommendations. Not having one is often unsafe and will affect your boat's insurability.

 

[southofvictor]

Quincy has the same layout as Gravlax and the forced air outlets you have sound much simpler than my initial idea.....thanks. For the engine cowling vent, do you temporarily disconnect the duct when working on the engine so the cowling can be pulled out of the way? On Gravlax, the diesel fill fitting is located aft of the starboard winch and jib cleat and there seems to be just enough room for another fitting. Is that where you have your exhaust, or is it outboard through the hull?

Yes, we have the duct loose fit over the vent back on the cowling. The duct is long enough that once the cowling is in place pressure keeps the duct on the vent. It is fiddly to put back in place but once I got the hang of it checking the engine every day it became second nature.

Our exhaust vents through the dark blue gelcoat stripe just below the rub rail and forward of the Ericson logo. Tough to see in this photo but it's the best I could quickly find showing our starboard side. Exhaust is at the arrowhead, between the fender and the anchor shank.

 

[Angel D.]

Hello Friends!

Had one of those heaters installed on my previous boat. They work well on a 38. Duct went to the saloon and that was enough to keep the boat comfortable.
Pointers:
-The lift pump makes noise so I got it sit on rubber .
-Good hose is key and zip ties to keep the noise down. ( Hard line is better but never got to install it)
-Used a 5 gallon yellow can with a fixed cap for fuel, latched to a cradle ( my old boat had a smaller fuel tank) 5 gallon was about 5 days on low and mid.
- There is out there an isolated exhausting trough hole. To deal with the heat. Is a must.
- The pipe was insulated and running inside a gutter down spout pipe . With snips cuts easy the long way and that way nothing will touch it . ( Extra peace of mind ) I left a 12in. Run naked right out the heater for easy removal and also radiate heat to the engine compartment where is was installed.
- Remember to do a little siphon bending by the exhaust trough hole . For water splash when sailing.

This is a few things I remember of that install. Hope is helpful.

-A good idea is a heated blanket between the mattress and the sheets. Heat rises and keep the bed warm. You can run it off your inverter easily. 1.4 amps draw.

Hopefully I'll make it south by this winter. Just follow them birds!

Angel A.

 

[Angel D.]

I remember also that the exust flex pipe that comes with them heaters leak , there are upgrades to this and they are available at different lengths.