Dickinson Radex Series Heater
- Thread starter RON20406
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I have one on my 05H36. Until the engine (Yanmar 3YM30) is fully up to operating temperature with thermostat open it doesn't do anything.
After that, it adds a nice amount of heat to the cabin, but I wouldn't say one unit would be adequate for your sole source of heat in below freezing temperatures.
The fault is not the heater unit, which is very well made and claims a 12,000 BTU output capacity. You just have to have an engine with a sufficient coolant flow volume and - most importantly - a higher operating temperature than 140F to feed it that many BTUs.
The Yanmar gets my water up to almost the 140F mark, but that's only 6 gal. If I haven't forgotten how to estimate it, I think that's around 3,000 BTUs at most.
(In fairness, I have to admit that 20ft of hose from/to the Yanmar is an issue, too.)
Now if you could plumb it to a diesel hot water heater, rather than the engine cooling circuit, I think you'd have something.
Fair winds,
Al - s/v Persephone
After that, it adds a nice amount of heat to the cabin, but I wouldn't say one unit would be adequate for your sole source of heat in below freezing temperatures.
The fault is not the heater unit, which is very well made and claims a 12,000 BTU output capacity. You just have to have an engine with a sufficient coolant flow volume and - most importantly - a higher operating temperature than 140F to feed it that many BTUs.
The Yanmar gets my water up to almost the 140F mark, but that's only 6 gal. If I haven't forgotten how to estimate it, I think that's around 3,000 BTUs at most.
(In fairness, I have to admit that 20ft of hose from/to the Yanmar is an issue, too.)
Now if you could plumb it to a diesel hot water heater, rather than the engine cooling circuit, I think you'd have something.
Fair winds,
Al - s/v Persephone
I'd point out that no one should rely on a engine-driven hydronic heater for their heat on a boat if they are a liveaboard or long-term cruiser.
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