Diesel Heater install on H460/466

Captain Mateo

Captain Mateo

.
Jul 31, 2020
33
Hunter 460 Annapolis
I know there are dozens of posts regarding forced air diesel heaters. Webasto vs. Espar vs. Chinese knockoff, etc. This is not a post about which is better. I'm looking for creative ways people installed these heaters and ran ductwork - especially on the H460/466. I'm a fulltime liveabord and need to install one of these now, before I forget and winter gets here. I know, i know, it's only the first day of summer but the admiral is on my case!
Where did you place the unit? Where did you run the ducts? How did you set up the fuel line? Tap into existing tank or add additional? etc etc. Any insight or photos would be helpful as I'm having a hard time picturing how to install this on my boat.
 
sail sfbay

sail sfbay

.
Feb 21, 2013
4,638
Hunter 46 Point Richmond, CA
Captain Mateo..........thanks for posting!! I will be VERY interested in what others post since I was planning the same for my Hunter 46 (same configuration as the 460/466). I was planning to install an Espar Airtronic D5 diesel heater (installation manual attached) in the empty aft starboard lazarette with a diesel fuel line tapped into the existing fuel tank and run ducts from it to the cabins and main salon. My 46 boat has existing vents in each cabin and main salon and some ducting in the main salon. You will like the diesel heater as I have one installed on my powerboat and it heats the 2 cabin and main salon very fast.
 

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Captain Mateo

Captain Mateo

.
Jul 31, 2020
33
Hunter 460 Annapolis
sail sfbay said:
Captain Mateo..........thanks for posting!! I will be VERY interested in what others post since I was planning the same for my Hunter 46 (same configuration as the 460/466). I was planning to install an Espar Airtronic D5 diesel heater (installation manual attached) in the empty aft starboard lazarette with a diesel fuel line tapped into the existing fuel tank and run ducts from it to the cabins and main salon. My 46 boat has existing vents in each cabin and main salon and some ducting in the main salon. You will like the diesel heater as I have one installed on my powerboat and it heats the 2 cabin and main salon very fast.
Click to expand
@sail sfbay Awesome and thanks for the reply. I was looking at that Airtronic as well because i wanted enough "push" to get the heat in the main salon and forward cabin. Were you thinking of putting it in the lazarette all the way aft in between the propane locker and swim ladder? OR in the stbd cockpit lazarette? Thanks again!
 
sail sfbay

sail sfbay

.
Feb 21, 2013
4,638
Hunter 46 Point Richmond, CA
Proposed heater location in the lazarette all the way aft in between the propane locker and swim ladder for ease of installation and maintenance access and no flame, diesel or heater noise in the interior.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,787
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Hi @Captain Mateo. I am not a Hunter 460 owner but I did learn a few concepts when I installed me Wallas heater.
  1. Air flow both heat and return are very important
  2. Install the unit where the noise of the unit will not disturb your sleep
  3. the fuel pump will go tick tick tick as it sucks fuel from your tank.
  4. I installed the unit in the aft lazarett on my boat. Away from all sleeping.
  5. you will need a fresh air return in addition to the return air from the cabin if you want to keep the cabin moisture to a minimum.
  6. insulate your heat supply tubes. In the PacNW it gets cold and no value in heating areas of the boat (like the engine room) with out the skipper or crew in them.
  7. if you have a stronger output from one of the heater out lets, use that one for the longest run from the unit.
  8. minimize the number of ducts an vents to maximize the heat flow into the cabin.
  9. you need a good open air return path (sucking the air from the cabin) if you want optimum heat to flow into the cabin.
  10. insulate your boat to minimize heat loss. There will be a lot of heat loss. Our boats are like open air venues when it comes to heat retention.
I love my Wallas diesel heater. I stay warm even during the coldest nights of winter. And winter nights are longer north of the 45th Parallel.
 
Captain Mateo

Captain Mateo

.
Jul 31, 2020
33
Hunter 460 Annapolis
jssailem said:
Hi @Captain Mateo. I am not a Hunter 460 owner but I did learn a few concepts when I installed me Wallas heater.
  1. Air flow both heat and return are very important
  2. Install the unit where the noise of the unit will not disturb your sleep
  3. the fuel pump will go tick tick tick as it sucks fuel from your tank.
  4. I installed the unit in the aft lazarett on my boat. Away from all sleeping.
  5. you will need a fresh air return in addition to the return air from the cabin if you want to keep the cabin moisture to a minimum.
  6. insulate your heat supply tubes. In the PacNW it gets cold and no value in heating areas of the boat (like the engine room) with out the skipper or crew in them.
  7. if you have a stronger output from one of the heater out lets, use that one for the longest run from the unit.
  8. minimize the number of ducts an vents to maximize the heat flow into the cabin.
  9. you need a good open air return path (sucking the air from the cabin) if you want optimum heat to flow into the cabin.
  10. insulate your boat to minimize heat loss. There will be a lot of heat loss. Our boats are like open air venues when it comes to heat retention.
I love my Wallas diesel heater. I stay warm even during the coldest nights of winter. And winter nights are longer north of the 45th Parallel.
Click to expand
Thank you very much for the thorough reply. Appreciate the tips and hints. I will definitely take them into consideration!
 
jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,787
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Let us know how the project turns out.
Pictures are a great way of saying... Look what I did..:biggrin:
 
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Terry Cox

Terry Cox

.
Dec 25, 2000
5,907
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
Different model boat, but close. Wrote an article about how I installed our Wallas forced air furnace several years ago. Made off-season cruising much more comfortable and have done several winter cruises over the years. That article is here. Hope it is of some help. Hunter 42 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
 
Captain Mateo

Captain Mateo

.
Jul 31, 2020
33
Hunter 460 Annapolis
Terry Cox said:
Different model boat, but close. Wrote an article about how I installed our Wallas forced air furnace several years ago. Made off-season cruising much more comfortable and have done several winter cruises over the years. That article is here. Hope it is of some help. Hunter 42 Owner Modifications and Upgrades
Click to expand
Thanks @Terry Cox I did stumble across that article during my search and printed it out for reference during my instal. Thanks for sending again!
 
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