Gould 0738 wrote:
I believe I mentioned testing a new "self-install" kit put out by Webasto.
Here's an update on progress so far. Right now, *no* heater, and winter coming
on. Have to get my butt in gear. :-)

Well, we have had our first real test of our Webasto T-90, similar unit.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...42005030smuktF

We had a night in the 40s, with enough wind to chill the boat quickly
after sunset. Checked the coolant level, opened the fuel valves, turned
on the breaker, pushed the "on" button. The unit cycled up, and it was
more noisy than I thought it should be but my wife said it didn't bother
her. I think I may remount the fuel pump so the clacking noise is better
damped.

After running for ten minutes and definitely starting to produce
noticable heat, the unit shut down. I looked in the cabinet and saw the
little digital indicator blinking a trouble light, but I did not get the
code. After muttering a few choice words under my breath, I hit the "on"
button again, hoping for the best. Must have just been a little burp in
the fuel, because it started up again easily and ran all night.

It takes about twelve minutes for the system to get up to full temp (180
F). You can feel heat from the radiators with the fans off, and the boat
is noticably warmer. There are five radiators throughout the boat,
including one in the head (I hate cold showers). Each has a two speed
fan. With the fans on, the temp inside the cabin climbs quickly. The
head heater will make you pop a sweat in short order! The pilot house
heater blows warm air on the helmsman's legs, and another blast under
the dinette table. Our dog settled down with sighs of pleasure in front
of the aft cabin radiator.

This system will add a bit to the battery demand, but should be capable
of running overnight as long as you don't need all the fans on high. It
will be a huge improvement over the 120V heat cubes & the reverse cycle
ac/heater, both of which need either shore power or the genset running.

Fair Skies
Doug King