Chelsea14Ian Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Looking for advice on heaters.Sweet kingfisher doesn't have shore power.We normally power up the engine then turn on the heating.What we have been thinking is perhaps to get a heater.We do have shore power leads,from when we had our first boat,little kingfisher. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ranworthbreeze Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Hello Ian, On out of season weeks I plug in one of the lower wattage (500 or 600 watts) oil filled radiators and leave on overnight on a low level on the stat overnight, this keeps the condensation at bay. we have additional fan heaters just to keep warm and there is always the diesel heating. Regards Alan 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea14Ian Posted September 18, 2020 Author Share Posted September 18, 2020 Thanks Alan,what I'm looking for is some warmth other then on board heating.I do suffer from the cold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgregg Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 The oil rads are good and usually have a safety switch which shuts off the power if they tip over. Most electric radiant heaters don't have that so probably aren't safe on boats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RumPunch Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 If I’m below in the winter I have a portable diesel heater that sits outside with ducting into the cabin. Just needs 12v supply as it’s all self contained, and I can control it from below with the remote. totally removeable in seconds, it also serves in the workshop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Hi Ian on my last boat we had a oil filled radiator that we left on overnight, we also had a fan heater for odd times, the boat had air blown heating which took time to warm up and if left on overnight dried your mouth, only problem i see with oil fill heater is the weight,but? i don't see any problem with running a cable to the post i would suggest you tie the boat end securely too the boat in case someone catches it while on the ground wouldn't want the end being pulled into water all through rcd would give protection. John 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Hi Ian just to add if using 3kw heater make sure you unwind all of the cable to prevent cable overheating if only 1.5, 2.5 is best but heavier to carry. John 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 We too use an oil filled radiator , if you don’t have shore power fitted , you can have a lead made up to convert the shore power lead to a three pin , or double three pin socket and plug one in that way 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floydraser Posted September 18, 2020 Share Posted September 18, 2020 Another vote for oil filled radiators here. My boat had three when I bought it and they were the same make but different sizes, so you could work out the smallest needed for the space. They also have two power settings and a thermostat. As others had said they are the safest but if I want quick warmth I have a cheapo Aldi fan heater which also has a thermostat but I would never leave the boat with a fan heater running, partly safety and partly cost of running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islander Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 We have a fan heater with stat and three heat setting so is very economic on electric. The low setting doesn’t seem to dry the air to much. Last thing you want is something that makes you cough. A convector type may be a better option for you. We have a 500w one that is more than enough to heat our bedroom (cabin). We also have 12v car blanket which is great to put over your legs on cold evenings. We also use it on the the fly bridge on fresh autumn morning going up river. Second to that we also found two car seat heat pads in a charity shop which work well too. You could also try one of the halogen type heaters but look for the the black tube ones as the ordinary ones are a bit bright. Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broads01 Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 I think I'll get myself an oil filled radiator based on the advice here. If I was to get a 500 or 600 watt would I need to be on hook up or would it work OK with well charged batteries? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CambridgeCabby Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 On hook up 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grendel Posted September 19, 2020 Share Posted September 19, 2020 hook up, a 600W heater will be pulling 50Amps at 12v, thus will discharge a single 110Ah battery in 1 hour (you try not to take lead acid batteries below 50% capacity) plus you would need a 1000W inverter on board minimum to run it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldgregg Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 On 19/09/2020 at 15:20, Broads01 said: I think I'll get myself an oil filled radiator based on the advice here. If I was to get a 500 or 600 watt would I need to be on hook up or would it work OK with well charged batteries? Never (ever ever ever, ever) run electric heating on an inverter... I have had to explain this to so many syndicate owners! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annv Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 you could always get a electric under blanket we have one each so we can have different temp, they use very little power, we switch ours on hour or so before bed and all afternoon and evening when first reaching boat after being closed up, it airs the bed nicely then lower temp setting at bed time, ours have four settings , done this on all our boats, unfortunately it's still chilly when getting out of bed first thing until central heating cuts in. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScrumpyCheddar Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 Fan heater for us worked a treat the other week... Nice and toasty when the sun went down only £9.99 Argos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZimbiIV Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 Ian, get a fan heater, we had 2 on Zimbi and an electric blanket each (brought them home) BUT only get a heater that has auto cut off if knocked over. Lidl did a great one remote control, economical and quick but when it reached temperature it started blowing cold air, why?, I don't know. If your batteries are in tip top condition you could fit a remote control so you can phone it from bed to warm up the boat before getting up or arriving at the boat. I was too tight to spend the £50 to get that when we changed the heater, still regret that. Never mind warmth how are you? Hope the head is recovering. paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 When it's cold and I have no hookup I usually set the eberspacher running on an hour timer when getting the last beer (I can phone it to turn it on to timer), I have an outlet either side of the V berth and a couple of spare bits of ducting which hook on and run under the duvet, result is getting to a warm boat with a toasty aired bed, start with warm feet and you stay warm all night, I've never found it to be too big a drain on the batteries. When the timer runs out if I'm still in the pub (oops! It happens) I'll call it again but if onboard just let it shut off as it's all warm by then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea14Ian Posted September 20, 2020 Author Share Posted September 20, 2020 Paul the head is healing well.Still need another scan on my lungs on the 28 September, and a breathing test on Friday,which is normally done at our GP surgery .Then what ever treatment I require. Also have a toothache and a bad back.Get getting old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoggy Posted September 20, 2020 Share Posted September 20, 2020 4 minutes ago, Chelsea14Ian said: Also have a toothache and a bad back.Get getting old. What you need is an orthotist about to start up a private practise, now I just happen to know someone..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonny Posted September 21, 2020 Share Posted September 21, 2020 Why must you not use an inverter with electric heating? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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