Wabasto Heater Use

[Cessna172]

Very cold here in the Pacific Northwest these couple weeks. My wife and I have been running the Wasbasto heater all through the night.

Just wandering, does anyone else use the unit through the night?

 

[Seaquel]

We have used our Webasto diesel heater throughout the night when boating the shoulder-season the past few years, but often end up cycling on/off because it puts out so much heat. With outside temps around 40 degrees, we’ve enjoyed cozy temps over 70 degrees in the cabin. Really extends the boating season in the PNW!

 

[Cessna172]

We have used our Webasto diesel heater throughout the night when boating the shoulder-season the past few years, but often end up cycling on/off because it puts out so much heat. With outside temps around 40 degrees, we’ve enjoyed cozy temps over 70 degrees in the cabin. Really extends the boating season in the PNW!

Yea, it really does a great job of heating the cabin!

Which begs the question, any idea of fuel consumption?

Thanks,
Gary

 

[Bruce Moore]

Yea, it really does a great job of heating the cabin!

Which begs the question, any idea of fuel consumption?

Thanks,
Gary

We're big fans. From the Webasto website:

Question 4 – How much diesel do the heaters use per hour?
Depending on the heater size, between:
0.12L – 0.24L per hour for the AT 2000STC
0.18L – 0.49L per hour for the AT Evo 40
0.18L – 0.67L per hour for the AT Evo 55
On average a heater needs 100ml diesel per hour, per kW

Cheers,

Bruce

 

[Cessna172]

Thanks Bruce!

Wow, that works out to about a quart of diesel over the entire night (8 hours).

Wish I could heat my house on that...

Gary

 

[baz]

Well, assuming RT did in fact fill my 5 gallon Webasto diesel fuel tank I have to say my fuel use is at least 2 gallons used since Aug 16, 2017..... I've not used my heater for very long at all.... maybe 2 or 3 overnights and periodically while docked over past few months. The heater is supposed to be run once at least every 30 days and I've adhered to that and ran the heater at my slip for some 30 mins over last 4 months; that is 4x 30 min running time.

I have to assume RT did not fill my 5 gallon tank based on what others have posted here.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Question 4 – How much diesel do the heaters use per hour?
Depending on the heater size, between:
0.12L – 0.24L per hour for the AT 2000STC
0.18L – 0.49L per hour for the AT Evo 40
0.18L – 0.67L per hour for the AT Evo 55
On average a heater needs 100ml diesel per hour, per kW
...

We've used a Webasto 2000 series in Alaska for about 10 years now and have found fuel consumption to be consistent with what is stated in the manual. Keep in mind the heater is thermostat controlled and cycles on/off. So the high end of the fuel use indicated in the manual assumes a high setting and is the max usage you will see. We've found that rainy weather puts more demand on the heater than pure cold. Soaking a fiberglass cabin with 45 degree water makes for a pretty good heat sink.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

you guys run the heater all night on the hook on batteries?

 

[Cessna172]

I haven't run the Wabasto all night on batteries (just a couple hours in the evening and morning). I run it often all night on shore power.

Gary

 

[NorthernFocus]

you guys run the heater all night on the hook on batteries?

Yes. It only draws an amp or two. Up north that's offset by not needing cabin lights all summer 😀

 

[Cutwater28GG]

haha yes.

interestingly when I run my webasto when I hear the clicking (I think its the fuel pump) on startup it causes the lights to dim! so there must be quite the current draw with the fuel pump cycle. do you guys get this?

 

[NorthernFocus]

...interestingly when I run my webasto when I hear the clicking (I think its the fuel pump) on startup it causes the lights to dim! so there must be quite the current draw with the fuel pump cycle. do you guys get this?

For the first 30 seconds or so on startup the glow plug is on which does draw significant amps.

 

[Seaquel]

We run the diesel heat all night off the battery, almost never even bring the shore power cable as we anchor almost exclusively. The electronics on the Webasto are very sensitive to low voltage. Initially, the Webasto would sometimes give an error reading (due to low voltage) even when all else functioned fine (cabin lights, Garmin, etc.).

Solved the issue by adding a 3rd house battery, plus adding a switch to further add the dedicated thruster battery to the house bank. So from 2 to 4 house batteries, no more issues running the Webasto all night, on the anchor without shore power (and in relative peace & quiet without the noise of a generator, although the Webasto has its own distinct exhaust sound).