ceramic heater recommendation?

[Bruce Moore]

The first time I saw a Ranger Tug was on the water in Lake Union at the last Seattle Boat Show. It was pretty cold. The R25 had a ceramic heater which made it very cozy onboard.

The temperatures are dropping, and we're planning on buying a heater to use when we're on shore power.

Any recommendations.

Thanks,

Bruce

 

[captd]

Bruce,
The Peloris ceramic heaters are pretty good heaters. We have had two for years. I have one on the boat right now while it is setting in the shed. I have one in the camper as well. Good safe heaters that draw 15 amps max. Thermostat or manual control with variable fan. Kind of spendy though. Camper world or any camper supply should have them.
captd

 

[Trinity]

It doesn't take much to make the inside of these tugs warm and cozy. We have used the cheapest heater we could find and now a more spendy one from West Marine. Both work fine and do the job. I would recommend you take a look at how quiet it is. Our first fan was a bit noisy for sleeping on the tug during those winter nights. I also like a longer cord as I like to direct the heat to certain areas of the tug during the winter, ie the port berth or head.

Nancy

 

[rupunzal]

What model are you recommending? I checked the internet and there are several models that have two heat settings, offer 90 degree Oscillation and can be thermostatically controlled.

rupunzal

 

[Dene]

I have two heaters in my trawler. The West Marine ceramic heater and this dandy Optimus quartz heater which is $27 through Amazon. We use the ceramic heater to warm the cabin up quickly. Once warmed, we use the quartz heater the rest of the time. It's silent and has a 400 and 800 watt setting, which is great when using an inverter. We've found that the 400w setting will maintain the temperature nicely, especially overnight. I was so impressed with this heater that we bought two more, one for out 22' Campion and the other for the RV. No fan....no cycling through the night.

-Greg

 

[rupunzal]

I have been reading the posts and will buying a heater for the tug in the near future. What are the model numbers that are being recommended? Optimus and Peloris have many, many models. Which model are you suggesting, having good luck with?

Rupunzal

 

[Dene]

Optimus H-5210. Just input it into Amazon and review it.

-Greg

 

[eNORMous]

Optimus Infrared Quartz Radiant Heater, Model# H-5210
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/...9239?cm_mmc=Housefile-_-SHIPPED-_-1206-_-CONF

I just went through an in-depth review of portable ceramic infra-red heaters for my C-Dory 25' Cruiser. I purchased two of the above heaters from Northern Tool. They arrived yesterday and I plugged them in to see how they fly. The safety (tip-over) device is excellent - it's located on the bottom. If it tips over, it shuts off - that's very good. The two 400W & 800W settings appear to be almost perfect for the size of the cabin interior on the 25' Cruiser - 800W will heat it up quickly w/in the hour; then the 400W will maintain it. No thermostat - but let's face it - I don't own a multi-million dollar Hatteras either.

These devices work very well and are very economical.

Good luck with your choice and purchase!
Norm

 

[Bruce Moore]

Thanks all for your recommendations. I value your experience and willingness to share.

Anyone else?

 

[IdleUp]

What ever heater you decide on, it should have an all-metal case that can survive the heat of the element in the "likely " event the fan should quit. Even though most of these heaters have a thermal switch should the unit get too hot, they don't always work.

There are a few "all metal" heaters available - the one I like best is the Honeywell which sells for around $19-25. As a test, I always jam the fan and run it for a few hours to make sure in the event the fan should quit, the heater case can dissipate the heat without the fan running.

Another safe heater for an unattended boat is the radiator type which uses oil in the fins to dissipate the heat. However, they are top heavy and will require some type of stabilization should the boat rock.

This is the oil filled type:
http://store.high-techoffice.com/hohzeloilfir.html

This is the one I have (all metal)
http://cgi.ebay.com/Honeywell-Power-Hea ... dZViewItem