On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 21:41:03 -0500, Larry wrote:


Run wide open, this heater will absorb so much heat from the cooling
system of a 6.2L GM diesel V-8 riding around the city...the thermostat
doesn't open! I can actually make the temperature guage DROP unless the
engine is running over 25 mph!

Do you think I can build something a little less large with a car
heater core and a large muffin fan? My only concern would be to keep
the hose runs managable, meaning I would probably put the heater core
in the galley or in the nav station, blowing out.

Of course, the idea would be (usually) that the boat is semi-warm from
shore-power and ceramic heater cubes, but that warmth can be
maintained while we are underway for crew not actually on deck during
those periods when we are motorsailing.

I'm going for the KISS element here, and am simply blueskying. I know
a guy who uses an immersion element plumbed into the cooling system
that heats up five gallons of water in a pop syrup cylinder, providing
his head and galley with hot pressure water.

Me, I don't need to go quite THAT far, but the warmth from the engine
would help to keep the boat dry(er) until the sun starts to get over
the deck.

R.