We have propane heaters. Why no gasoline/petrol heaters?

[Chotu]

Well, I’m back at this. And I have found the WeBasto and Espar gasoline heaters.

Mounting them outside should be OK. In a protected place or a locker. Maybe my explosives locker, although that might not be so smart because it may set off a lot of stuff if it malfunctions.

As for mounting them outside, there’s no reason not to use the conduit for the intake and run that conduit into the cabin. Then run the output into the cabin as well with another conduit.

I had been leaning toward just doing the second tank for diesel, but it’s ridiculous. I’d have to keep track of that. If I were wintering over somewhere it would be annoying because I would have to go get fuel all the time for it. Having 150 gallons of gasoline nearby and burning through it is a good thing. That keeps the gasoline more fresh also. Have you far fewer trips to fill heating fuel.

So I’m definitely doing gasoline. I’m just going to keep it outside. Where it should be. Like it is for everything else I installed.

[rslifkin]

If kept outside I don't see an issue with using the gasoline Webasto, Espar, Planar, etc. units. They do explicitly say not to use them on a boat, but that's likely due to enclosed space concerns. If it's mounted outside, then it's just like a car / truck / bus install.

The gasoline heaters only come in smaller sizes, so you may need more than 1 to get enough heat. And you'll have to decide whether hydronic or forced air is more practical.

[PaulCrawhorn]

Everyone else, just use diesel.

I am not arguing with you, OP

Sounds like you're dead set [emoji39]

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Chotu

Well, I’m back at this. And I have found the WeBasto and Espar gasoline heaters.

Mounting them outside should be OK. In a protected place or a locker. Maybe my explosives locker, although that might not be so smart because it may set off a lot of stuff if it malfunctions.

As for mounting them outside, there’s no reason not to use the conduit for the intake and run that conduit into the cabin. Then run the output into the cabin as well with another conduit.

I had been leaning toward just doing the second tank for diesel, but it’s ridiculous. I’d have to keep track of that. If I were wintering over somewhere it would be annoying because I would have to go get fuel all the time for it. Having 150 gallons of gasoline nearby and burning through it is a good thing. That keeps the gasoline more fresh also. Have you far fewer trips to fill heating fuel.

So I’m definitely doing gasoline. I’m just going to keep it outside. Where it should be. Like it is for everything else I installed.

If you intend to get insurance have your defense ready for the surveyor who may take some convincing.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

If you intend to get insurance have your defense ready for the surveyor who may take some convincing.

OK, I hear you. But I don’t understand one thing. Where are they prohibited? I can’t see any place they are prohibited in the documentation. Especially installed in the open air outside on the deck.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by PaulCrawhorn

Everyone else, just use diesel.

I am not arguing with you, OP

Sounds like you're dead set [emoji39]

Ha ha ha ha. I like this post. A good caution for others. While leaving a little room for crazy people like myself to go nuts.

Yes. I just can’t see having 150 gallons of gasoline sitting there going stale when it should be getting burnt.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Chotu

OK, I hear you. But I don’t understand one thing. Where are they prohibited? I can’t see any place they are prohibited in the documentation. Especially installed in the open air outside on the deck.

PM me an email address. I'll send you the relevant ABYC Standards
that your surveyor will use.

One likely insurmountable one will be mfg' instruction not to install on a boat
as all appliances must be installed according to those instructions

[Chotu]

I mean, these are closed systems. With “failsafe” electronics. If the flame goes out the fuel is shut off. And the combustion is contained in the chamber. The only entrance and exit to the chamber are through tubes. Tubes that bring in the fresh air and expel the exhaust from the combustion.

So what I’m thinking is just using the same installation theory that I have used for everything else. Run an ABYC compliant fuel line to the heater(s) (which have their own fuel pumps) from the fuel switching manifold which is already on deck in my “explosives box.”

So we are talking about a three or 4 foot run of ABYC fuel hose. It will have a fitting for the heater fuel pump and continue to the heater. The fuel pump is only turned on when the heater wants fuel. And that is only in the case that it is starting, or the case that it is running. If the flame goes out the fuel pump goes off. Similar to a propane oven.

I really can’t see much they can go wrong here. Can anyone else? Or is it just fear? I like to approach it logically. Rather than just based on fear.

[rslifkin]

As long as the heater is in a ventilated space with bottom drains (basically treated like propane), I don't see a safety concern (out on deck in a place where fumes wouldn't flow to an open door or hatch is fine too). I wouldn't want to rely on powered ventilation for it or anything, but if the space can't trap fumes, it should be safe. Hydronic may be another step safer than forced air, as you wouldn't be pumping cabin air through the heater and its mounting location.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Chotu

.

Got your PM but without an email address. PM's will not let me respond with pdf's attached.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

If kept outside I don't see an issue with using the gasoline Webasto, Espar, Planar, etc. units. They do explicitly say not to use them on a boat, but that's likely due to enclosed space concerns. If it's mounted outside, then it's just like a car / truck / bus install.

The gasoline heaters only come in smaller sizes, so you may need more than 1 to get enough heat. And you'll have to decide whether hydronic or forced air is more practical.

Yes. I definitely need a pair of them. There’s no doubt. Hoping that’s enough. But I don’t think I’ll be wintering over. I hope not.

I didn’t realize they specifically said not to use them on a boat. I’m sure they are talking about the interior install like most of the picture however. Just like you are saying.

[PaulCrawhorn]

Fear can be based on logic.

I would not want most people* to consider propane or petrol, if safer alternatives are feasible .

* this allows me to claim I'm still not arguing with you and your use case

Wanting to "use up" stale petrol is to me the opposite of a compelling reason.

Whoops...

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by PaulCrawhorn

Fear can be based on logic.

I would not want most people* to consider propane or petrol, if safer alternatives are feasible .

* this allows me to claim I'm still not arguing with you and your use case

Wanting to "use up" stale petrol is to me the opposite of a compelling reason.

Whoops...

You’re fun! Ha ha ha. Good posts.