Cabin Heat

[Blue_Runner]

Pros and cons on this little 12volt high output (1100 BTU) heater:


http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/12vocarvvabo.html

[Franco]

HEY BLUE, IT SHOULD WORK OKAY, BUT IT DRAWS 25 AMPS - THATS A LOT OF CURRENT DRAW - SO YOUR GONNA WANT TO RUN A DEDICATED CIRCUIT, BIG WIRE AND THE MOTOR SHOULD BE RUNNING, BE CAUSE WHEN VOLTAGE GOES DOWN AMPS GOES UP - AMPS ARE WHAT MAKE HEAT IN AN ELECTRIAL CIRCUIT - BE SURE TO HAVE IT FUSED - AS AN EXAMPLE YOU COULD TYPICALLY RUN YOUR BILGE PUMP, BLOWER, VHF, AND RUNNING LIGHTS OFF A 15 AMP CIRCUIT.
IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE THAT AND IT WOULD WORK EXCELLENT - JUST WIRE IT UP SAFELY AND STAY WARM!!! JUST DON'T USE IT TO DRY YOUR NAIL POLISH

[willy]

PLUS THE BTU'S ARE LOW, ESPECIALLY IN A OPEN AREA LIKE A BOAT THESE WOULD HAVE TO BE KEPT CLOSE TO YOU
THEY WOULD MORE ACCURATLY BE CALLED NORTON WARMERS
;D ;D ;D ;D

[Blue_Runner]

2nd try:
http://www.sportsimportsltd.com/12vocarvvabo.html

[Blue_Runner]

So if I'm hearing you right Franco, you'd want to wire that directly in to your main battery that is connected to your starter? If the engine is running, will that be enough to keep the battery charged given the 25amp usage?

Thanks, I've just been window shopping a bit. Not really serious about buying anything yet.

[Franco]

I'd isolate it from the other circuits so you dont get 1) overload the existing circuit, 2) and you wont introduce interference to you electronics. In my boat I'd connect it to the battery selector switch so I could completley shut it off and hook the ground directley to the battery negative post for a ground. I'd put in a circuit breaker instead of a fuse also. The ad says it comes with a 20 foot harness and that should be plenty. when you route the wires keep them away from the vhf ant wire and fish finder gps wires - interference - you can also twist the wires to help eliminate interference. If you connect it close to the battery the charging system should have no problem running it. Sloder and heat shrink all connectors and have fun!!!!

[reelapeelin]

In Winter, I'm sneakin' around w/the trollin' motor pullin' live-bait so outboard is for sure NOT runnin'...that's why I went the propane route... ;) :D...at 25 amps, it's gonna SUCK down batteries like a new HOOVER!!... ;) :)...

[mirage2521]

Take a look at these, before you buy one, great little heaters, I used one all winter for 2 winters as my only heat source when I lived on my sailboat in Va. put out tons of heat I stayed toasty warm and very very safe

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=12130

and it's spill proof

[Blue_Runner]

So, with a full tank or whatever, how long will that sucker burn? And how much is the fuel, and where do you buy it?

Thanks

[Stinky_Hooker]

In Winter, I'm sneakin' around w/the trollin' motor pullin' live-bait so outboard is for sure NOT runnin'...that's why I went the propane route... ;) :D...at 25 amps, it's gonna SUCK down batteries like a new HOOVER!!... ;) :)...

I agree, I wouldnt do it. Thats alot of juice. 12 volt heater make me nervous. :o

go with a propane heater of some kind.

[Blue_Runner]

Definitely not going with 12 volt. Either Buddy heat or this alcohol thing once I can get more info.

Or neither one and I'll just take a few girlfriends to lay on top of me ;D

[Blue_Runner]

...on 2nd thought, a few girlfriends would cost way more than the 12 volt, so I'm screwed either way!

[phester]

I was going to go w/ mr. heater buddy.....opted for the Coleman ProCat [had a Sports Authority gift card and they only had Coleman] ...16 oz. propane charged,heats 200 sq. ft., 7hrs. burn time. Used it only once so far....it's a real bump up to first class. Very stable and safe.69.99

[phester]

this way Blue..., everbody stays warm

[Blue_Runner]

Well Phes, if you do it RIGHT, everybody can stay warm the other way too (friction) ;D

I'll take that Coleman into consideration. I think the Buddy is around $100.

Blue

[reelapeelin]

Mine is a Coleman, I think we got the same unit...have used mine for years...w/front, side and rear curtains up, there's a REAL difference... ;) :D...

[phester]

you got that right RAP...all closed in, zipped up tight, you are STYLIN now....and BLUE, I've seen the heater buddy for the same price as the Coleman, 69.99, the 100.00 one I think has a higher output and in the cuddy of our boats is perhaps unessesary,IMO. Although I like to think along the lines of....to much horsepower, to much speed, to much heat....ya know what I'm saying?

[Blue_Runner]

I agree, the BIG buddy is a lil overkill probably, but would also work in a large man cave too!

[mirage2521]

So, with a full tank or whatever, how long will that sucker burn? *And how much is the fuel, and where do you buy it?

Thanks
The fuel is just stove alcohol, avail at any boat store, it hold about a gallon, totally spill proof (it soakis into a spongey thing, and I have no idea how long it takes to run out, I never let it happen, Va winters are to cold for that

[phester]

I just used up the first 16 oz. tank....lasted almost 7.5 hours, $2.19 a piece

[Blue_Runner]

Well, I bought the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy :D Its the 3000 - 9000 BTU. No blower and runs anywhere from 3 - 6 hrs per tank. I used it over the weekend. VERY VERY VERY HAPPY AM I! ;D

[Skools Out]

BR where did you go over the weekend that you needed heat? It was 75 Sat and 79 Sun here?

[Blue_Runner]

LOL yes the weather was quite fair. Can't say I "needed" heat. Not just yet anyway. But I did take the boat out on Saturday night until after midnight and fired her up for a couple hours. Not sure what the outside temp was, but I was peelin off clothes inside the enclosure ;D It was probably mid-forties outside or so. Can't wait to try it in some "real" cold weather ;D