Heating boat while not on board

[wullie]

I was thinking about using a plug in timer to run small fan heater when away from boat, it has built in tilt switch, any recommendations advice would be welcome.

[mross]

Just make sure nothing can fall onto heater such as towels or clothes hanging up.

[Kendorr]

Try one of these

 

http://www.screwfix.com/p/eezi-heat-electric-slimline-panel-heater-400w/6779h

 

I have a similar one fitted on Halcyon, doesn't get too hot, but keeps the chill off.

 

Kevin

[PaulG]

I think that the panel type heater as per Kev's post above is probably safer than a fan heater.

 

I use plug-in thermostats both for frost protection and room temperature control when I'm on the boat.

 

You can get combined timer / thermostats - buy decent quality ones. Some offer a 3 -year warranty, which gives a little more confidence.

[Keeping Up]

If the fan heater has a thermostat the timer is irrelevant; otherwise you are effectively saying for example that you don't want it to freeze at night but you don't mind it freezing during the day. Make sure the one you use has also an overheat sensor which will cut the power if the fan fails or slows (these are not usually resettable but if the fan has failed you might as well throw it away anyway).

[BruceinSanity]

I have an oil filled rad like this http://www.screwfix.com/p/hd943-7tq-oil-filled-radiator-with-timer-600-1200-1500w/1724p

 

I leave it on minimum setting overnight. The boat was just nicely above freezing this morning when I went to check it.

[mross]

Yes, save money and get one without a fan. Heat will spread naturally and fan motor wastes energy. Oil filled are very safe.

[Boat&Bikes]

I always drain our boat's water tank and run taps dry. I have never bothered leaving heaters aboard, not sure they keep the parts of the boat warm that I'd worry about such as water pumps and water pipes.

 

Ian.

[blackrose]

On shore power I use a thermostatically controlled oil-filled radiator set at 5 or 6C on a medium power setting. There are plenty to choose from at Argos. Before anyone says, no they are not deemed dedicated marine equipment by insurance companies, but as far as I'm concerned the chances of one causing a fire is insignificant compared to fan heaters, etc. If you buy one make sure it is thermostatically controlled.

Edited November 29, 2016 by blackrose

[blackrose]

I have an oil filled rad like this http://www.screwfix.com/p/hd943-7tq-oil-filled-radiator-with-timer-600-1200-1500w/1724p

 

I leave it on minimum setting overnight. The boat was just nicely above freezing this morning when I went to check it.

How is the temp control on that one? Mechanical control is better than digital in one way because if there happens to be a power cut a digitally controlled heater won't come back on when power is restored, whereas a mechanically controlled heater will.

 

However I have a 1kw mechanically controlled electric oil-filled rad and even at the lowest temperature setting it comes on at about 8C which is too high so it wastes power.

Edited November 29, 2016 by blackrose

[cuthound]

I use two of these, powered from a thermostatic mains adaptor (so that I can accurately set the temperature that they come on at.

 

http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/cype-7/700w-mini-oil-filled-radiator/dp/HG00539

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/172117721668?lpid=122&chn=ps&adgroupid=36084540643&rlsatarget=pla-266373415427&adtype=pla&poi=&googleloc=1007147&device=t&campaignid=698615505&crdt=0&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fmtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D159563030297_563391%2526itemid%253D172117721668%2526targetid%253D266373415427%2526device%253Dt%2526mpre%253Dhttp%25253a%25252f%25252fwww.ebay.co.uk%25252fitm%25252flike%25252f172117721668%25253flpid%25253d122%252526chn%25253Dps%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526googleloc%253D1007147%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D698615505%2526adgroupid%253D36084540643%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-266373415427%2526gclid%253DCj0KEQiA6_TBBRDInaPjhcelt5oBEiQApPeTF-jt_BbGeIyG4JHt1RKJHawCvgb7t_ZHBwi-a9Rsc7YaAmf08P8HAQ%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D1131601398916

Edited November 29, 2016 by cuthound

[dccruiser]

before i was a liveaboard i used 3 of the greenhouse heating tubes rated at 150 watts each spread equally down the boat ...just to keep the frost off as they are designed to survive being left on all winter

 

 

Rick

[NB Lola]

We have a webasto connected by 3G to an iPhone app as well as a frost stat. I can remote turn on or leave it to the frost stat

[ditchcrawler]

Yes, save money and get one without a fan. Heat will spread naturally and fan motor wastes energy. Oil filled are very safe.

So where dose that energy go.

[Robbo]

Even tho oil is safer, beware as many don't have the tilt switch off thingy...

Edited November 29, 2016 by Robbo

[matty40s]

Best thing I invested in was a mobile triggered switch at about £60 for the Eberbastard for when I was going away in winter.

It allowed me to switch the Eber on from a restaurant in Venice when I saw that the temps were going to go subzero in the Rugby area overnight.

The solar means that the electric is happy(came home to 97% SOC today)

It also means I can have hot water ready when I finish work, can turn it on 30 minutes before I get home.

[mross]

So where dose that energy go.

I don't understand what you ask. The energy for the fan goes into moving air around. But you don't need a fan on a convector heater such as a radiator Which is a misnomer because house radiators are actually convectors. My point is that the fan is not necessaryy and adds to the risks. (and cost of electricity)

[WotEver]

I used to use an 8ft tubular greenhouse heater fed by a digital plug-in thermostat (with battery backup). It worked a treat and was only about 180W.

[ditchcrawler]

I don't understand what you ask. The energy for the fan goes into moving air around. But you don't need a fan on a convector heater such as a radiator Which is a misnomer because house radiators are actually convectors. My point is that the fan is not necessaryy and adds to the risks. (and cost of electricity)

Surly it goes in heat ?

[zenataomm]

What does your insurance policy allow?

[blackrose]

Best thing I invested in was a mobile triggered switch at about £60 for the Eberbastard for when I was going away in winter.

It allowed me to switch the Eber on from a restaurant in Venice when I saw that the temps were going to go subzero in the Rugby area overnight.

The solar means that the electric is happy(came home to 97% SOC today)

It also means I can have hot water ready when I finish work, can turn it on 30 minutes before I get home.

All assuming the eberspacher starts and runs of course, which given their reputation and speaking from experience of them, is not a sure thing.

Edited November 30, 2016 by blackrose

[BruceinSanity]

How is the temp control on that one? Mechanical control is better than digital in one way because if there happens to be a power cut a digitally controlled heater won't come back on when power is restored, whereas a mechanically controlled heater will.

However I have a 1kw mechanically controlled electric oil-filled rad and even at the lowest temperature setting it comes on at about 8C which is too high so it wastes power.

Haven't measured it, but at minimum setting seems to come on around 5°C. It has a tilt switch and an internal stat to control the heater temp as well as the external stat.

All assuming the eberspacher starts and runs of course, which given their reputation and speaking from experience of them, is not a sure thing.

In Mercia this year, we are not allowed to run Webasto type heaters between 11 at night and 6 in the morning, so a silent oil filled is better when not on the boat to keep the Squirrel stoked. Electricity is cheaper than diesel, too, isn't it?

[Naughty Cal]

We use a couple of tube heaters, a large one in the engine bay and a smaller one in the shower room to keep the important bits well above freezing.

 

We don't bother with thermostats they are left on 24/7 for what little power they use.

[Robbo]

Haven't measured it, but at minimum setting seems to come on around 5°C. It has a tilt switch and an internal stat to control the heater temp as well as the external stat.

 

In Mercia this year, we are not allowed to run Webasto type heaters between 11 at night and 6 in the morning, so a silent oil filled is better when not on the boat to keep the Squirrel stoked. Electricity is cheaper than diesel, too, isn't it?

Electric is about twice the price in day to day running, how ever that doesn't include maintenance or purchase price, etc., electric is near enough zero maintenance, where diesel isn't

 

You also have to factor in that your electric feed may not be reliable and is limited so may not be suitable for "heating the boat", more for taking a chill off.

Edited November 30, 2016 by Robbo

[matty40s]

All assuming the eberspacher starts and runs of course, which given their reputation and speaking from experience of them, is not a sure thing.

Something that works well daily for 14 years and then gives me a months warning that it needs replacing isn't bad going for me.