Webasto tsl 17

[stwendl]

Has anyone installed the hot water version webasto tsl17 on a ranger tug and if so any advice, preferred locations, integration with engine and yor water tank, etc

 

[NorthernFocus]

Since you asked for advice, I wouldn't do it. I considered it but after considering the design complexity, cost, and any additional benefit vs forced air it just didn't make sense. Generally speaking, on boats simple systems are mobedda.

 

[stwendl]

I actually have a spare unit sitting around and it is not that complicated of a design. The advantage of the water as heat carrier is that it is easier to get routed in smaller spaces as compared to large air ducts. And additionally it will heat your water. So if one was to use the boat on the trailer as well heat and hot water would be available as one could not run the engine. Furthermore, running a genset is not only noisy, one would need a larger unit to run heater and water heater at the same time plus any extra consumers. Having done the gen set solution before in my Rv and sailboat I wouldn't do it again.

At this point I am interested in installation options and experiences. Currently the engines feeds the hot water and heat exchanger. How can a webasto tsl17 coexist or would the engine need to be isolated from that circulation in regard to circulating coolant max temperatures by the engine and the webasto. Best installation location for heating unit and expansion tank

 

[NorthernFocus]

Yeah I wasn't considering the on-trailer usage. We don't do that for more than a night or two at a time so don't have the need.

My plan was to mount it in the starboard lazarette or aft in the engine compartment (where I removed the holding tank). I was also planning to have an option to heat the engine block to facilitate starting in cold conditions. But then the engine would need to be isolated when running to avoid adding heat load from the heater. Either that or only run either heater or engine but not both together. That's where things start getting complicated. If you isolate the heater unit and water heater to be heated only by the Webasto and skip the engine heating, then it is pretty straight forward.

You're right that running tubing is easier than air ducting. But you have to have heat exchangers/fans at the point where you want the heat. In my experience the fans at point of entry are much noisier than a centralized forced air unit. Unless you plan on using a static heat exchanger. Which isn't a bad idea either.

Funny, for me the shoe was on the other foot. I dropped the liquid cooling mainly because I already had a forced air unit and it was the path of least resistance. Anyway, hope it works out well for you.