Chinese heater

[SV_Fortissimo]

Anyone installed a chinese heater in their Morgan. Thinking about putting it high in the Port Lazarette. Also gave some thought to putting it under the settee(but then exhausting gets a bit more problematic. Thoughts?

 

[jimcleary]

What is a chinese heater?

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

The “chinese heater” is a very inexpensive and dependable diesel heater. I purchased the Vevor heater.

 

[jimcleary]

On board Dana we have an Espar diesel hydronic heater which is similar.

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

Where did you mount the Espar exchanger?

 

[Warren Holybee]

I don't have one, but there is some room (difficult to get to) on the starboard side of the helm seat locker. That would give easy access to running ductwork above the quarter berth. In fact, there is a lot of room up there too, that whole space in the cockpit coaming under the winches is easily accessible if you drop the ceiling of the quarter berth. If the heater fits in that space, I would try and put it there. I think you could then run ductwork along the starboard side all the way to the locker across from the head. It wouldn't all be an easy run, but the path is there.

If you put it in the port locker, where would you run the ductwork to the cabin? I seem to recall pictures of someone that ran it _through_ the icebox, which is obviously bad.

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

Warren, I like that idea. I originally was going to put it on the port side(under winches), but like the idea of having it inside. Also really easy to run the diesel line to the main tank.

 

[DGA]

I bought an all in one diesel heater, and originally mounted it in a duck board I made. A temporary setup, mainly for winter working inside the cabin.
The whole heater stays outside and is pushed to starboard so there is a step through area. Exhaust is out the back, so no issues there.
I have since looked at mounting it under the port cockpit seat. Would make hanging brackets that hook over that locker upper metal flange, and extend the exhaust up and flatten it to go over the same flange and exit down, the seat would sit slightly open. This would be removable to stow while underway, but could stay there if needed. Hot air passes through a short tube through the open trash door. Still thinking about this.

 

[scupper]

Just my opinion, but when it comes to anything producing Heat(FIRE) , I have had too many issues/problems with Chinese made items. I for one would not put a Chinese made heating device on my vessel to save a little money. The ramifications of a failure are too great.

 

[jimcleary]

The Espar units are made in Germany and are found in Millions of over the road trucks. They probably much more expensive then the chinese crap, but they do work fine.

 

[DGA]

Just my opinion, but when it comes to anything producing Heat(FIRE) , I have had too many issues/problems with Chinese made items. I for one would not put a Chinese made heating device on my vessel to save a little money. The ramifications of a failure are too great.

The Chinese heaters are a known quantity and have been around for a lot of years. But I get it; you just don't know. Kind of my thoughts on these Chinese made lithium, or similar, batteries everyone seems to love, you just don't really know when one might be a problem.

 

[jimcleary]

The Espar units do not have batteries, lithium or otherwise.

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

Espar units are great units, under the covers, the Vevor is very close and just as reputable. I am replacing a lot of the OOB components, like hoses, ducts and mounting devices.

 

[DGA]

There are many places on the Morgan 38 to mount one of these heaters, but for me, the issue is getting the very hot exhaust outside safely. And the exhaust can't be too long or go very far downwards, plus be out to a location where water can't get in.

 

[john english]

I installed a Propex hs2000 propane unit using an adjustable pressure regulator in the space behind the helmsman's seat. Accessed by a new hatch on the backrest. Exhaust is through the bulkhead through the aft locker and the transom. Single 60mm outlet routed under the starboard coaming exiting just above the quarter berth. Works well enough in the cool spring and summer months (6500 btu on butane, maybe a little more on propane) but not enough heat for winter. Propane alarm sensors are in engine compartment. There is a small form factor 1.5kw fan forced space heater permanently installed on the cabinet door just forward of the starboard water tank and an automotive style coolant heater under the port setee.

Propex HeatSource HS2000 6,500 BTU Forced Air Propane Heater 12 Volt, with Two-Knob controller.

www.suremarineservice.com

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

I thought I’d share with you all the install of the Vevor heater. Warren was right there is tons of room about that quarter of berth.

 

[jimcleary]

Ron
Dana has an Espar Hydronic (Hot Water) system installed in the forward end of the port cockpit locker. Attached are photos of the installation. Also in the photos is the mounting of the Frigaboat compressor on the forward bulkhead of the locker, just aft of the refrigerator in the galley. The aluminum tank is the 6 gallon diesel tank for the Espar system. It is mounted to the rear of the port cockpit locker. Both systems are protected with barriers of 1/4" plexiglass.

Jim

 

[terry_thatcher]

The Chinese heaters are a known quantity and have been around for a lot of years. But I get it; you just don't know. Kind of my thoughts on these Chinese made lithium, or similar, batteries everyone seems to love, you just don't really know when one might be a problem.

Don't know anything about this. But here is what Rod Collins says about some of the chinese heaters--looks different than what you have.

Chinese Diesel Heater Carbon Monoxide Warning - Marine How To

CHINESE DIESEL HEATER - CARBON MONOXIDE WARNING! We are working on a full article about installing Chinese diesel heaters on boats. After joining a few CDH (Chinese Diesel Heater) groups it became very clear to me that they vast

marinehowto.com

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

Good article. I’m not using the muffler (and really couldn’t tell the negligible difference). I do have a carbon monoxide detector on board, and as of yet I’ve heard nothing out of it.

 

[yurek]

Ron, How did you run the fuel line. Can the pump pull the fuel from the boat tank ?

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

I tapped right into the tank. It’s working fabulously, no issues pumping. I purchased the Diesel Heater Fuel Tank Pickup Tube and Fuel Line Kit from Amazon, a M6x1 tap and an oring.

 

[yurek]

Thanks Ron. Did you install pump next to the heater ?
I was asking because manual doesn't show fuel tank below the pump and I wasn't sure if the pump can pull fuel from 5 ft below.

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

I put them down with my bilge pump. I also put a check valve in (not shown). Took a few times to prime, but I could watch the progress in the pipe.

 

[yurek]

Thank Ron, so pump is pushing fuel about 6 FT.

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

Yes, that’s correct. I’m using the green tubing that came with the unit initially. I hope to switch that out to copper pipe over the summer.

 

[SV_Fortissimo]

Yes, that’s correct. I’m using the green tubing that came with the unit initially. I hope to switch that out to copper pipe over the summer.

Yes, that’s correct. I’m using the green tubing that came with the unit initially. I hope to switch that out to copper pipe over the summer.

Where is the green tubing? You can see the Diesel as it pushes up the tube. Very helpful. With all the bends, I would say I’m pushing closer to 8 feet.