At anchor I've been using a Honda 2000 watt portable generator to heat up the water tank for showers. I'm wondering about the pros and cons of just running to engine to heat up the water. Can the engine be in neutral or needs to be in gear? Is it harmful to run a diesel engine not under load?
Heating water at anchor
- Thread starter Ken Kindrick
- Start date
You don't want to run the engine in load at anchor, 'cuz you could pull the anchor out.
It takes about 45 minutes under load when the engine is hot to heat the hot water. You can't do that at idle.
You can run the engine at idle without harming it. There have been many posts de-bunking this old urban myth.
Keep using your generator. It charges the batteries more efficiently than your alternator, and heats the water.
What's not to like?
It takes about 45 minutes under load when the engine is hot to heat the hot water. You can't do that at idle.
You can run the engine at idle without harming it. There have been many posts de-bunking this old urban myth.
Keep using your generator. It charges the batteries more efficiently than your alternator, and heats the water.
What's not to like?
I plan on installing a propane "on demand" unit on mine. I will be using small one pound disposable bottles that will be mounted outside. My stove is an Origo so no need for a big propane tank that needs a special vented housing for just a water heater.
kito, are you aware of the danger aspects of these units?
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=684957&highlight=on demand heaters
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=684957&highlight=on demand heaters
I usually run the diesel about 2 h per day [hr morning, hr evening], higher than idle speed, when at anchor for battery charging and for generating warmish, if not actually "hot", water. Works fine for us, but we don't use a lot of hot water while on the hook.
A lot of this will depend on your gear (engine and water heater) and personal practices. We often motor in to an anchorage for the last 30 minutes, both to ship-shape the boat before dropping the hook as well as charge batteries and heat water for the night.
If we do not use much the previous evening, our water heater's water will still be warm-ish in the morning. Some quick time running slightly faster than idle in neutral will warm it enough for a shower. As stu notes it is not bad for the engine.
YMMV.
If we do not use much the previous evening, our water heater's water will still be warm-ish in the morning. Some quick time running slightly faster than idle in neutral will warm it enough for a shower. As stu notes it is not bad for the engine.
YMMV.
Extremely bad idea, unless the heater is to be mounted outside with the bottles, then it's only a very bad idea. It's not the bottle that's the problem, but the hoses, connections and venting of the heater that make it dangerous. Even a propane barbeque on the rail can fill the bilge with gas, and cause an explosion under certain circumstances. If you're going to have propane on the boat at all, then AYBC specs for installation and equipment should be followed.
Any appliance with a flame needs to be properly vented to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which is very sneaky and very deadly.
For those many who have propane stoves, how is the stove itself vented? I know the tank needs to be in a vented enclosure. But if the stove needs vented too, how is that done?.....opening a hatch? Shouldn't be any different than a propane fired heater that has adequate ventilation.
The stove is the appliance being served by the fuel, the storage of which is covered by the proper venting & construction of any propane locker. The delivery of the propane by hose is covered under best practices for using proper hose and sealing openings. The solenoid is a local shutoff device. The stove doesn't need to be vented.
Yes, ventilation is always a very good idea. (I keep forgetting that not all boats have dorade vents, so keeping hatches open is always a good idea especially for those without dorades.)
That's why it's different.
We're just trying to warn you about known dangers of using these things.
Best practice
Propane is heavier than air, so it sinks down in your bilge. By the time you smell it, your boat could explode.
The very first electronic item I install on my boats is a propane sniffer with shutoff. I just think it's crazy to have propane on board without it.
Propane is heavier than air, so it sinks down in your bilge. By the time you smell it, your boat could explode.
I beg to differ on this. At 2000W (full load), at best, that generator can put out a maximum of 17AMPS. Per Ohms Law, I=P/E, or AMPS=Watts/Voltage.
2000/115 = 17.39A
That will heat up the hot water, but since any decent alternator can put out 50A, running the engine is the best method to charge the batteries. Unless (or course), your batteries are dead and you can't start the engine [grin].
17 amps at 120 volts is not the same as 50 amps at 13 volts. my inverter/charger will output over 100 amps to my bank in bulk mode and not draw 17 amps.
Since I have an 8 kw genny I charge batteries, heat water and maybe cool off the cabin with the AC at the same time.
Since I have an 8 kw genny I charge batteries, heat water and maybe cool off the cabin with the AC at the same time.
I appreciate your post and warnings. Living in an RV park for five years, where everyone uses propane for heating water and home, I have seen six valve failures in just three properties, mine and my neighbors on each side. One failed to close properly and filled the place with gas through the stove pilots while he was gone for a month. He smelled it as soon as he opened his door, fire department was called, disaster averted. Another failure was so extreme the escaping gas could be heard 50' away. A 15 month old grill on my porch had a regulator failure, sending flames 2' in every direction. My main tank valve failed and leaked. Luckily, all these tanks were located outside in the open air. Had they been in a confined space like a boat, people would have died. There is no such thing as being too cautious when using propane.
I agree
(Forgetting about airco, etc)
The genset outputs AC.
If you use an alternator / inverter combination, you lose at least 15% efficiency on the conversion.
It is more efficient to use a genset for a hot water only application
(Forgetting about airco, etc)
The genset outputs AC.
If you use an alternator / inverter combination, you lose at least 15% efficiency on the conversion.
Re: Best practice
Artboas,
When are you going to publish the details on installing a Piano Hinge on the Nav. Table. I have a 2006 Hunter 45 CC, and want to make the conversion.
Thanks,
Jeff
Artboas,
When are you going to publish the details on installing a Piano Hinge on the Nav. Table. I have a 2006 Hunter 45 CC, and want to make the conversion.
Thanks,
Jeff
Sorry
I have the whole thing written up, and photos taken. I even went out & bought a hinge just for the photos
Problem is, I can't get the hunter site to accept the photos.
I will email this to anyone who sends me their email address.
If they want to re-post to how, then great
So, my email is a.boas@rogers.com
Contact me, and I'll send you the document
I got behind
I have the whole thing written up, and photos taken. I even went out & bought a hinge just for the photos
Problem is, I can't get the hunter site to accept the photos.
I will email this to anyone who sends me their email address.
If they want to re-post to how, then great
So, my email is a.boas@rogers.com
Contact me, and I'll send you the document
