Webasto Diesel Heater for Idiots

R

rappja

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2024
Messages
108
Location
Benecia, California
Fluid Motion Model
R-31 CB
Vessel Name
Lily Marie II
I have a 2019 Ranger Tug 31 CB luxury edition (A/C, generator, etc.).
Today was our first day living onboard in cold weather, so I tried to turn on the cabin heater.
Warning: I know absolutely nothing about this unit, including that there is no manual for it onboard, and I can't even figure out where it is for sure. I think it may be at the foot of the coffin. Anyway, any instructions you give me should be simple, and starting from the beginning. Assume I know nothing, which may be true. There may not even be a cabin heater on my boat. I'll ask my questions in a list
1) How do you turn it on? There is a circuit breaker on the 12 volt panel labeled Heater. There is a rotary knob at the helm station under the VHF radio labeled Heater on top and Heater Craft on bottom. The knob can be set to off, low, medium and high. I turned on the circuit breaker at the panel, the light came on, then I turned the knob to all the positions. Air started coming out of a vent on the wall across the walkway just before the steps leading down to the main cabin. All the positions worked, but only cold air was blown out. No heat.
2) Is there a thermostat control, and if so where is it? The only thermostats I can find are the 2 for the heat exchanger. BTW, I used that to heat the boat, but of course it is 120 volts ac, not useful without shore power or genny.
3) Where is the heater, and how do I access it? If it is at the foot of the coffin bunk, I did pull the small door, and saw what may be the heater, but there is no way to do anything with it through that small door. Do I have to take off the whole wall, and if so, how.
4) What is the model of the heater, so that I can download a manual?
5) If and when I actually find the heater, is there any maintenance required?
A related question: what is the switch labelled Johnson Pump next to the heater knob referenced above? Is there another pump I don't know about? Is it a switch to arm the high water alarm?
Thanks in advance. I feel like a dunce.
Happy Thanksgiving!
 
A lot of systems on this boat to learn about.

1) The rotary knob at the helm station is for the fan that distributes heat that is generated by the engine

1732890460471.png
 
rappja said:
I have a 2019 Ranger Tug 31 CB luxury edition (A/C, generator, etc.).
Today was our first day living onboard in cold weather, so I tried to turn on the cabin heater.
Warning: I know absolutely nothing about this unit, including that there is no manual for it onboard, and I can't even figure out where it is for sure. I think it may be at the foot of the coffin. Anyway, any instructions you give me should be simple, and starting from the beginning. Assume I know nothing, which may be true. There may not even be a cabin heater on my boat. I'll ask my questions in a list
Click to expand...
I think Maggie Anne answered your questions, but I want to add a few things:

• Use the diesel (Wabasto) heater when you're parked and the engine is turned off. It's incredibly fuel efficient and uses very little DC power. It works great, at least in my boat.

• Use the cabin heater off the engine when under way. That's the only time you'll get heat off that unit. It requires heat from the running engine to heat the cabin.

• I never use both heaters at the same time. (I never need to.)

When I bought my 2019 R-29 CB in 2022, I was similarly frustrated by the lack of systems documentation. Other owners I know -- and apparently Maggie Anne! -- have compiled their notes into boat manuals. I'm working on such a manual now as I prepare to put my boat into a charter fleet. I've got 65 pages (so far) and have been consulting all the manuals I can find online as well as my observations (from living on the boat for 16 months on a Great Loop trip) and information I gather here. I highly recommend that you do the same. Not only will it help you remember the piddly little things you think you only need once, but it'll make a great guide to hand off to the boat's new owner when you eventually sell. (And no, you don't need 65 pages. Just a binder full of organized notes should be enough.

Good luck and stay warm!
 
Maggie Anne said:
3) Regarding your bilge pumps

View attachment 24404
Click to expand...
Maggie Ann Thanks so much for your well illustrated information.
Soon after I posted, I dug in a little deeper, and realized that since I have the LE (luxury edition) with genny and heat exchanger, I don't have the separate Webasto heater, which obviously explains why I couldn't find it, or the control. Duh!
As an aside, I think the LE should still have that heater, at least as an option. Using the genny and heat exchanger is kind of a big deal to generate heat in a little boat.
I have a Ranger Tug manual from the previous owner, but it is not nearly as complete as yours seems to be. I wonder if there is any way you could get me a copy. It's probably too big to post on this forum. Perhaps have it copied and mailed (I would be more than happy to pay for any expenses). There's just so much about this boat that's new to me (it doesn't help that I've been a rag sailor my whole life (this is my first power boat).
Thanks agin!
 
rappja said:
Maggie Ann Thanks so much for your well illustrated information.
Soon after I posted, I dug in a little deeper, and realized that since I have the LE (luxury edition) with genny and heat exchanger, I don't have the separate Webasto heater, which obviously explains why I couldn't find it, or the control. Duh!
As an aside, I think the LE should still have that heater, at least as an option. Using the genny and heat exchanger is kind of a big deal to generate heat in a little boat.
I have a Ranger Tug manual from the previous owner, but it is not nearly as complete as yours seems to be. I wonder if there is any way you could get me a copy. It's probably too big to post on this forum. Perhaps have it copied and mailed (I would be more than happy to pay for any expenses). There's just so much about this boat that's new to me (it doesn't help that I've been a rag sailor my whole life (this is my first power boat).
Thanks agin!
Click to expand...
I forgot to ask if there is an updated manual available from the manufacturer? Since I bought the boat second hand I did not have the orientation, and therefor I have no personal notes.
 
mlanger said:
I think Maggie Anne answered your questions, but I want to add a few things:

• Use the diesel (Wabasto) heater when you're parked and the engine is turned off. It's incredibly fuel efficient and uses very little DC power. It works great, at least in my boat.

• Use the cabin heater off the engine when under way. That's the only time you'll get heat off that unit. It requires heat from the running engine to heat the cabin.

• I never use both heaters at the same time. (I never need to.)

When I bought my 2019 R-29 CB in 2022, I was similarly frustrated by the lack of systems documentation. Other owners I know -- and apparently Maggie Anne! -- have compiled their notes into boat manuals. I'm working on such a manual now as I prepare to put my boat into a charter fleet. I've got 65 pages (so far) and have been consulting all the manuals I can find online as well as my observations (from living on the boat for 16 months on a Great Loop trip) and information I gather here. I highly recommend that you do the same. Not only will it help you remember the piddly little things you think you only need once, but it'll make a great guide to hand off to the boat's new owner when you eventually sell. (And no, you don't need 65 pages. Just a binder full of organized notes should be enough.

Good luck and stay warm!
Click to expand...
Thanks for your info. Please see my reply to Maggie Ann. I'd ask the same question of you about producing a manual. Once again, I'd be happy to bear all expenses
 
Thanks, Bob. I'll send you my email.
I think I also have the factory manual, but it is somewhat generic, as it applies to all boats of that vintage and size that Fluid Motion made, and is often incomplete and sometimes inaccurate. I was hoping for the manual you were putting together for your charter customers.
BTW, are you doing the charters yourself. or throufgh a charter company? I'd love to hear more about it.
Thanks again.
 
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