[C320-list] Cabin Heat /// Interesting Proposal!

[Rick Sulewski]

Gary,

We use a 16K BTU AC/Heat unit while at the dock, but your idea has merit for
those who anchor out or for those who stay below during colder weather
passages when an engine could be monitored at idle speed while sailing. 

You have identified a very interesting concept, not unlike what truckers do
when they pull over their rig to rest for the night while keeping their
engines or diesel generators at idle speed to provide heat and/or
electricity for their sleeper cabins. If the hot engine water could be
by-passed from the heat exchanger to a truck type heat coil with a fan
located in a cold air return air box that would serve to dissipate the heat
into the main cabin, that could be enough heat relief to use the main cabin
at anchor when temperatures dip into the low 40s or upper 30s for early
spring or late fall sailing trips. The low amount of fuel consumed at idle
would certainly cover the cost-benefit ratio of having heat, even if enough
heat could be generated for the only the main cabin.

I wonder if Catalina has ever considered such an aftermarket innovation? It
strikes me that the heat coil and fan (acting as a radiator) could be
mounted under the Nav station to gain simple access to run the water lines
from the hot water tank while also bypassing heat exchanger with a simple
valve to ensure all of the heat is directed to the cabin heater coil. The
hot air could then be directed to the main cabin with a variable 12 volt
fan...

Rick
My-Ria # 277

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Brad Kuether
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 7:17 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Cabin Heat

100 degrees in Baltimore.  Not thinking heat right now....  :)

-Brad, Mary, Monica, and Jarod
"Independence"
2004 Catalina 320 Hull 1006
Middle River, MD
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Magnuson's Time A Weigh" <gary.magnuson at frontier.com>
To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2011 12:05 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Cabin Heat


> Has anyone considered splicing into the heat exchanger coolant loop 
> between the engine and the water heater, with an automotive type heater 
> core and a 12 volt fan to generate cabin heat while under way?  If a 
> circulating pump were added, could it also generate cabin heat from the 
> water tank heater while on shore power.  It seems like it could be mounted

> behind the sink cabinet drawers.   A three way valve could cut it out of 
> the loop when it is not required.  Comments?
>
> Gary # 205
>