Replacing Wallas with electric/alcohol cooktop

[missnevi]

We just proudly took possession of newly-named Miss Nevi, a 2008 classic R-25, hull #76. We would like to replace the Wallace stove/heater with the electric/alcohol cooktop that we see on some other RT photos. The stove works just fine and is surely desirable for its intended cold climates and for use at anchor or underway without need for an inverter or genset, but it's inappropriate for us: it generates unwanted heat for life in SW Florida and is not our preference for cooking.

In our previous Kadey-Krogen 42 we cooked with propane (as we do at home), by far our preference for speed, convenience, and control. But... installation on the dive platform and safety issues discourage our going the propane cooktop route on our R25. Still, we often overnight anchor and would not want to use the genset for cooking with an all-electric cooktop. The dual-function electric/alcohol cooktop seems right for our needs: electric at the slip, alcohol at anchor. Alcohol does burn less hot than propane for cooking and has its own safety issue, although this combo worked OK for us on an earlier Albin 34.

Removal of the Wallas is probably tedious but doable we expect. And the cutout is surely different. Electric hookup should be OK to an existing switch/breaker labeled "Stove" on the AC panel, as I believe the default factory cooktop was electric/alcohol.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge for this replacement? The Wallas model is 85DU, lid 270. We would appreciate any advice or suggestions for doing so.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.

 

[missnevi]

It's finished!

Many thanks to those of you with help and suggestions, in particular Andrew and Richard for removal suggestions and the Kenyon cooktop replacement.

Here's how it went...
Removal of the Wallace was tedious, first figuring out how it was attached to the counter and second dealing with cramped spaces for removing bolts and parts. Thankfully the unit was not set in with adhesive, which apparently some were. See this link for the dis-assembled parts: https://goo.gl/photos/QkbJYfgXYnvzVJVu9

The replacement unit is a Kenyon 120V alcohol burner cooktop with one element (model B61144), costing $490 here:
https://www.appliancesconnection.com/kenyon-b61144.html

The Kenyon is about the same width as the Wallas, but not as long. It's attached with four screws, one each corner. But first I had to glue and screw furring strips under the counter corresponding to each corner of the cooktop, with furring shims to bring their level up to the countertop.

The gaping counter hole behind was then covered with a SS plate and Gorilla glued in place. The plate is 5.5"x12.75"x16G (0.0595") and cost $38 from https://www.stainlesssupply.com, with shipping more than half the price.

I bought marine 120V wire from West Marine and ran it from the Kenyon to the AC breaker already labeled "Stove."

Kenyon cooktop installed: https://goo.gl/photos/eqdFXxM2gvwEBRR38

The removal of the Wallas control on the side of the counter left a hole which I covered with a SS outlet plate, through which I installed a DC outlet socket that connected to the two existing hot wires from the Wallas.

Drop a line or reply if if any of you are thinking of this replacement and I'll try my best to answer any questions you might have.

BTW, a fellow Tugnutter bought the Wallas. It was the most pleasant sale I've ever made.

 

[knotflying]

Looks great Richard! When I get back to Naples I expect a nice cup of coffee prepared on the Kenyon. :lol:

 

[missnevi]

My pleasure Mike, but before or after one of those fab lunch-in-a-bloody-mary at the marina's restaurant?

 

[baz]

Richard: What did you do to decommission the Wallas stove's exhaust line and the hull exhaust port ? Did you simply block the hose to avoid stuff from entering via the hull outside exhaust port ? Did you gain any extra storage room under the new Kenyon stove ? I ask as the Wallas stove had quite a bit of stuff hanging underneath with the exhaust line being the biggest offender.

I had the Wallas on my previous 2010 R-25 Classic and loved it for its cooking abilities and heating with the lid down.... but of course we live in the PNW. 😉 The Wallas NEVER failed me at all. The one issue with the Wallas was that it took considerable time to cool down when switched off.

Well done in making the switch to electric/alcohol. It's always satisfying having completed a task that initially seemed daunting.

 

[missnevi]

Thanks for the compliment, Barry. Yes, did exactly what you mentioned regarding the exhaust hose and through hull exhaust outlet. Left in place and blocked the hose end with a screen to prevent any critters from entering while allowing some extra internal air flow. And removing the Wallas did give some extra head room inside the cabinet.