Parking Heater?????

[Huck]

Long time listener, first time caller.
Has anyone installed a “parking heater” on their Ranger Tug? I know they are mostly used for semi-trucks as cab and berth heater, but could imagine how they could also be used as a diesel heater on our boats. Diesel, 12 volt with ducting and, I THINK, just like Wabasto, Plana, etc, without the huge cost.
I have a 25SC and wonder about mounting locations, duct runs, Kw, etc.
There are many different manufacturers of these for sale on Amazon for under $300.
Any thought appreciated.
Also posted this on Tugnuts Facebook page.

 

[Salty7]

I have a 25SC and it has a Webasto heater installed from the factory doesn't yours? The Webasto works very well on my 25SC.

I think these "parking heaters" you are asking about might be diesel furnaces like the Webasto, Espar, Planar etc sold without the marine installation parts. I did have a Webasto fail on my last boat and installed a Planar to replace it because Webasto could not supply a replacement motor for my furnace. I liked the Planar very well but it came with non-marine mounting brackets and exhaust, likely part of the reason it cost 1/4 the price of a new Webasto. I was able to adapt Webasto parts to work with it. If you have some mechanical skill and a good understanding of materials the Planar is definitely useful for a boat when properly installed. The Planar heater is Russian and built very well, I imagine they need to know how to burn diesel in Siberia for heat. Looking on the internet it appears that the Planar heater has been knocked off by the Chinese (what irony) and the Chinese copies are available for very low prices, I have no idea how good or bad the Chinese copies are. Caveat emptor. Personally, I would stick with Webasto, Espar, Planar or Wallas, they are known reliable and safe furnaces. Also, if you buy a truck or van version of a diesel furnace, remember you are going to need marine parts, the marine exhaust through hull, stainless exhaust, stainless hose clamps, stainless or aluminum mounting bracket(s) to name a few items.

 

[Huck]

Well, no, my 25SC doesn’t have cabin heat unless the motor is running or dockside, hence, I am shopping as we speak.
Do you know which model Webasto was factory installed on your boat and is it enough/too much? Quiet? Watts-BTUs?
Thanks, and have a great holiday season.

 

[knotflying]

I have an R-27 with the Webasto 2000. It heats the boat well and quickly. It can be noisy on startup and then will quiet a bit. The pump will have a ticking sound while pumping and this is typical.

 

[Salty7]

The Webasto on my 25-SC says model 3900. It has three different heat settings and a thermostat to maintain a fairly even temperature. It heats the boat very well, on the high setting I think it would drive me out of the boat with too much heat. There are two ducts from the factory, one on the port side by the dinette and the other in the middle of the v-berth area. The furnace is installed on the forward end of the cave, behind a removable panel. On initial start up the fan is loud, then it progressively slows down and is quiet. I am never bothered by the sound level, there is a slow tick from the fuel pump but that sounds far away, it is located under the step into the cabin.