Has anyone utilized your forced air diesel heater for a clothes dryer?

[Sam Woodbridge]

Capt Jaw and ArmyD !

Tennis ball is a great idea!

Thank you

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by Sam Woodbridge

Capt Jaw and ArmyD !

Tennis ball is a great idea!

Thank you

You are very welcome!

[ArmyDaveNY]

Originally Posted by capt jgw

We use those at home. Actually fabric balls made for the dryer, but they look like tennis balls. Put a couple large safety pins in them and they will short out any static electricity that builds up. Sounds weird but it works. Replaces dryer sheets and fabric softener.

That actually makes a lot of sense! Thanks for that tip!

[Boatwright]

I would approach this idea very cautiously. Forced air diesel heaters are designed with a high velocity airflow transferring heat from a small hot combustion can. This airflow must remain unrestricted or high heat-outlet temperatures can happen.

I have twice melted plastic items placed too close: a wastebasket and a vacuum cleaner hose, and have learned to be very careful with our heater.

What is wrong with a clothesline? Two alternatives that both follow the KISS rule (which also means we don't really need all the comforts of an urban home to go sailing): If it's cold out, in the cabin near but not blocking the heat-outlet. If it's warm out, clipped to the lifelines like thousands before you have found works just fine. We cruise three seasons in the northern Great Lakes and have found we can do hand laundry if needed and use these drying methods with no problems.

We love our heater. It takes the chill out of Spring and Fall mornings, and I work on inside the cabin projects all winter. But it's not designed to be a clothes dryer.

[Sam Woodbridge]

Boatwright, thank you for the suggestions and the word of caution

Sam

[Boatwright]

More:

If you are the sort determined to invent something new, real clothes dryers have fail safe temp controls.

1) Thermostat to control drum temp

2) A back-up high-limit switch

More than tennis balls to safely power dry clothing.

[Sam Woodbridge]

Boatwright, thank you for your consideration. I do appreciate your posts and I will bear in mind the fail safe temp controls.

Thanks again Sam

[Boatwright]

[MultiCountryDon]

Originally Posted by Sam Woodbridge

Boatwright, thank you for your consideration. I do appreciate your posts and I will bear in mind the fail safe temp controls.

Thanks again Sam

You sir, are a very polite poster.
Many posters are very rude to anyone who suggests that they may be going the wrong way with their idea. You have considered, and thanked EVERYONE .
Great to see a proper person on the forum.

[Sam Woodbridge]

Originally Posted by MultiCountryDon

You sir, are a very polite poster.
Many posters are very rude to anyone who suggests that they may be going the wrong way with their idea. You have considered, and thanked EVERYONE .
Great to see a proper person on the forum.

Hello MultiCountryDon,

Thank you for your kind words. It’s very considerate of you and I do appreciate it. I agree with you also pertaining to the rudeness that occurs on the forums. I usually chalk it up as “people can be whoever they want over the internet”.

But! Throughout everyone’s comments. I’ve came to the conclusion of placing a T inline with the Webasto 3inch ducting that crosses through the toilet room of the boat. I’ll open the T which should allow a lot of heat into the toilet room and use a clothes line along with a open window.

I sure did appreciate everyone’s comments!

Got love those tennis balls too.

Sam

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Hermia II

Sam, this I've done many many times. But you don't need to tumble. If you have a snug or not so snug toilet where you can open a hatch or a window, pull your ducting to it and you have a perfect dryer.

Good idea! In fact, I have always installed a small powered vent in the head.

[Sam Woodbridge]

Originally Posted by thinwater

Good idea! In fact, I have always installed a small powered vent in the head.

ThinWater, thank you for the reply. I sure do like the idea of a small powered vent! The extra circulation seems like it could be ideal.

Thanks again - Sam

[Pete7]

Sam, doesn't quite answer the question, but we routed the air hose through the wet locker on its way to the saloon. There wasn't much alternative. With vents at the top it does a passable job of drying wet weather gear">foul weather gear, something we are accustomed to in England

[Sam Woodbridge]

Thank you Pete7 for the post.

What I plan to do is similar to what your doing.

I like ThinWater’s idea of having a small powered vent for the extra circulation.