Experience with Mid-ship Charlie Noble diesel heater install and deck-level exhaust

[Cyrus Safdari]

Speaking from experience how practical are deck level heater exhausts vs stern heater exhausts?

I am considering installing a forced air diesel heater/water heater combo (Wallas Viking Combi) about midships, near the head and shower. The exhaust would have to be relatively close, and the options are limited to through the deck with a closable exhaust fitting. I suppose some sort of extension is needed to further lift the charlie noble higher above deck level as with the Dickinson models

What concerns me is the smoke going back to the cockpit and or messing up sails etc

Any first hand observations appreciated

[Benz]

I saw a good deal of diesel-heated boats this past summer, which never turned the heater off. I'd say if set up correctly, smoke isn't a problem, and soot was pretty minimal--nothing like the smoke and soot for wood-fired heat. While the charlie nobles got warm (enough to warm chilly hands), they were nowhere near hot enough to burn sails or clothes.
The higher you can get the charlie noble, the better.

[Cyrus Safdari]

Thank youv

[hpeer]

No experience on a boat but in a hunting cabin. The taller the stack thr better the air flow. It must be hard to get sufficient height on a boat. The lower the mount the better. We looked at a custom steel arctic research boat with a reflex (sp?) heater, as low as possible.

I find diesel forced air heaters very reasonable and have them on 2 boats. I have lived through cold winters with them. Install a lot less fussy, especially of you don't go nuts with ducting.

[Scubaseas]

Not an issue if you have a dodger. Barely an issue if you don't have one. Depends on how clean your heater burns but for what you are contemplating I wouldn't worry about it. Making the charlie noble higher solves it if it becomes an issue.

[wrwakefield]

The forced air diesel heaters (and I had a Wallas on another boat) also have forced combustion air exhaust, and typically burn very clean.

Because the exhaust is pressurized, there is no need for an extended flue above deck to promote draft like is needed with passive exhaust (chimney effect) diesel heaters. (Non-forced air 'fireplace' style heaters like Dickinson, etc.) (I've had many of those too...)

What I appreciated about the Wallas exhaust system is it is a double flue: exhaust out the middle flue; combustion air drawn from outside and transferred in the outer flue- helping it stay cool (while preheating combustion air- which minimizes combustion chamber corrosion in cold temperatures...)

It looks like the heaters you are considering can use their deck exhaust fitting. It can stay flush on deck with no extensions needed to improve draft, keeping your install clean and neat if you decide not to go through the hull or transom.



Confirm all this with the Wallas dealer and carry on!

Cheers, Bill