Gin
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2012
- Messages
- 874
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-31 S
- Vessel Name
- Echo II (2019)
This was one of my more major modifications this fall. It took me some time to muster up the courage to do it, but I rerouted both heating vents from the Webasto heater.
The small, 60 mm vent hose runs off a Y-joint in the duct line and routes to the front of the boat, where it comes out under the bed. The run is so long that the heat that comes out is minimal. Plus we leave the full bed set up all the time, so the vent is deepen in the v-berth area, where it doesn't do much good. That was problem #1 with the way the venting was set up.
Problem #2 is that the 90 mm vent has a really short run from the heater and comes up on the outside of the port side helm seat, where it can quickly overheat anyone sitting near it. During the Christmas Ships parade season, I often have to turn it off so that my passengers aren't roasted out. I can use the heater that runs off the engine, but even with the fan on low, it generates a surprising amount of fan noise -- distractingly so, when I'm listening intently to the parade cross-talk on the VHF. The diesel heat, on the other hand, is all but silent on low.
My solution: I disconnected the 60mm vent running to the front of the v-berth and pulled it entirely out. I bought more 90 mm vent, and a new 60 mm vent cover, one that will let me close off the vent as well as turn it to aim the air flow in any direction. I then set up the Y-connector in the vent line coming off the heater so that I could route a short length of the 60mm line up to the opening where the 90mm vent was before. Now, what used to be the big vent opening to the side of the passenger seat is a smaller 60mm line and vents, and the vent cover is a style that permits it to be swiveled to control the air flow direction or closed entirely.
I then ran the 90mm line so that it vents down to a spot down low in the aisle, below the dinette area, between two teak doors that give access to the under dinette storage. The vent line itself takes up a bit of storage space underneath, but a lot less than I expected. The way I routed it and attached it securely to the dinette wall, I really don't think we will notice that it's there.
While I was at it, I insulated the vent lines. Might as well have the heat be as efficient as possible. It seemed especially worthwhile to insulate the 90mm line to the extent it might touch anything we are storing under the dinette/microwave area.
I didn't take a photo of the new vent to the side of the passenger's seat. But below is a photo of the 90mm vent that now kicks the air out at foot level in the aisle.
I haven't had much of a chance to test it out. But I'll be decorating the boat after Thanksgiving and I plan to keep the cabin warmed up using the diesel heater so I can see how I like the new venting. If anyone is thinking of making a similar modification, feel free to PM me to see how satisfied I am with it.
- Gini
The small, 60 mm vent hose runs off a Y-joint in the duct line and routes to the front of the boat, where it comes out under the bed. The run is so long that the heat that comes out is minimal. Plus we leave the full bed set up all the time, so the vent is deepen in the v-berth area, where it doesn't do much good. That was problem #1 with the way the venting was set up.
Problem #2 is that the 90 mm vent has a really short run from the heater and comes up on the outside of the port side helm seat, where it can quickly overheat anyone sitting near it. During the Christmas Ships parade season, I often have to turn it off so that my passengers aren't roasted out. I can use the heater that runs off the engine, but even with the fan on low, it generates a surprising amount of fan noise -- distractingly so, when I'm listening intently to the parade cross-talk on the VHF. The diesel heat, on the other hand, is all but silent on low.
My solution: I disconnected the 60mm vent running to the front of the v-berth and pulled it entirely out. I bought more 90 mm vent, and a new 60 mm vent cover, one that will let me close off the vent as well as turn it to aim the air flow in any direction. I then set up the Y-connector in the vent line coming off the heater so that I could route a short length of the 60mm line up to the opening where the 90mm vent was before. Now, what used to be the big vent opening to the side of the passenger seat is a smaller 60mm line and vents, and the vent cover is a style that permits it to be swiveled to control the air flow direction or closed entirely.
I then ran the 90mm line so that it vents down to a spot down low in the aisle, below the dinette area, between two teak doors that give access to the under dinette storage. The vent line itself takes up a bit of storage space underneath, but a lot less than I expected. The way I routed it and attached it securely to the dinette wall, I really don't think we will notice that it's there.
While I was at it, I insulated the vent lines. Might as well have the heat be as efficient as possible. It seemed especially worthwhile to insulate the 90mm line to the extent it might touch anything we are storing under the dinette/microwave area.
I didn't take a photo of the new vent to the side of the passenger's seat. But below is a photo of the 90mm vent that now kicks the air out at foot level in the aisle.
I haven't had much of a chance to test it out. But I'll be decorating the boat after Thanksgiving and I plan to keep the cabin warmed up using the diesel heater so I can see how I like the new venting. If anyone is thinking of making a similar modification, feel free to PM me to see how satisfied I am with it.
- Gini