Taylors 065 cylindrical paraffin heater

[sailor_ed]

The big problem with these kero burners is that the pressure in the tank varies so much as the fuel is consumed. This causes the flame to vary from very hot to almost out (and smoky!). Pumping frequently is tedious.

To get around this I made a "ballast" tank out of 18 or so inches of schedule 40 4 inch pipe with glued on end caps. It was fitted with a bicycle style pump fitting and a pipe fitting outlet that led to a pressure regulator from Home Depot. This was piped to the main kero tank (above the full level) .

I was able to pump this tank to 50 or 60 psi (before I got nervous), set the regulator to 15 to 20 (a bit fiddly) to get a stable flame that would burn 4 hours or more (overnight?) without attention.

Not being nervous sorts and not having any other option we did sleep with this on though often getting up once to adjust it. We did not leave it unattended.. Ever!!

This rig saw us through 6 New England winters and a total of 10 years living aboard.

PS We considered a fan mounted above the heater to be essential.

[Jdeuel]

Originally Posted by sailor_ed

PS We considered a fan mounted above the heater to be essential.

Ever consider an eco-fan? They don't use power and instead use some sort of heat voodoo to spin the blade. A friend has one on his woodstove, and it actually moves some air around.

[sailor_ed]

Originally Posted by Jdeuel

Ever consider an eco-fan? They don't use power and instead use some sort of heat voodoo to spin the blade. A friend has one on his woodstove, and it actually moves some air around.

Yes, tried one but it was too anemic.