Scottfree
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2013
- Messages
- 150
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-288 C
- Vessel Name
- Scottfree
I'm glad to see this discussion. After some research and debate with my friend, a diesel marine mechanic, I am going to install an Espar a hydronic system. He has installed dozens of these systems in the past 20 years with no issue. I have the engine coolant loop in the hot water tank which I will reuse strictly for the Espar system. My understanding is that boiler coolant has different characteristics than engine glycol and are not compatible. I don't see a need for engine preheat unless your starting it well below freezing. I will install a fan coil in the engine bay though which would assist starting of the engine, generator and keep batteries warm. I plan on a separate heating loop for the forward cabin and head; and a loop for the main cabin. Optional loop might be for the cave. A thought we discussed while motivated by several beers was to use the abandoned engine lines from the hot water tank for a windshield defrost system. I'm not sure I would want extend my engine coolant system beyond the engine bay, if it was too leak I'm sure it would be somewhere inconvenient!
All loops will be routed off a main manifold and be valued. In warm weather all loops except the hot water could be turned off. Or any combinations could be used.
Hydronic heat can take about 30 minutes from cold to start producing heat and the fans make a small amount of noise. I like the ability to zone your heat and use it without shore power or a generator. My estimated installation cost is $4500 if I do it myself. I agree that difficulty will be in the 7-8 range. I'm grateful for the added wine cellar in my boat, I expect I'll need several glasses to complete this project!
All loops will be routed off a main manifold and be valued. In warm weather all loops except the hot water could be turned off. Or any combinations could be used.
Hydronic heat can take about 30 minutes from cold to start producing heat and the fans make a small amount of noise. I like the ability to zone your heat and use it without shore power or a generator. My estimated installation cost is $4500 if I do it myself. I agree that difficulty will be in the 7-8 range. I'm grateful for the added wine cellar in my boat, I expect I'll need several glasses to complete this project!