Do's and Don't's advice for Webasto installation says we should "not take power for the heater from or through a switch panel and never via a seperate switch." We are invited to connect the heater direct to battery terminals. Shall be grateful for comments on this advice.
Firstly, it is said that if the heater is turned off from the main supply damage can occur to the heat exchanger. I suppose this is ref to "never via a seperate switch" and I'm Ok with that as I see the need to allow the heater to go through its run down cycle. Nonetheless, if I'm careful not to to use such switch to turn off the heater until it is at rest then I think a seperate switch is OK. Anyone disagree?
Secondly, it is said "switch panel supplies are unreliable and can cause surges or spikes from other equipment which will cause the heater to trip out."
What do we think of this advice for a boat electrical system running only straightforward 12V componentry such as lights, water pumps, TV, radio and no inverter (not a livaboard and I prefer to power everything from 12V)?
For tidiness of wiring (not keen on extra cables hanging off battery terminals) and a preference for the option of being able to switch the heater circuit on/off conveniently I would rather connect through a trip in my 12V switch panel. Why not?
Alan