Diesel Heating  --  Determining Type and Size

Hydronic

        

(Hot Water)

Water is heated by the diesel fired burner system and circulated through a closed loop of tubing or hoses to the area requiring heat.

In the area to be heated you can install convection type radiators* or the most common installation is the fan forced radiator system similar to the heating system in your car.

The fans on each heat exchanger can be controlled with a room thermostat to give you automatic zone controlled heating or with manual fan speed control switch.

These units can also be installed with special heat exchanger units to heat domestic hot water for showers or the galley.

Another option is to install a water to water heat exchanger between the main engine and the heating loop. This arrangement can allow the boat to be heated by the main engine when underway. Using the Boat Electric designed control system the operation is totally automatic.

When the engine cooling system has excess heat available it will provide heat and the Espar unit will go to standby. Other systems may take too much heat away from the engine, this could result in less efficient operation.

To see more information on specific Espar models, just click on the model number
Model Btu output Amp Draw 12v Approximate
Maximum Boat Size
      POWER SAIL
 Hydronic 4 13,700 Boost
11,300 High
5,500 Low		 3.3 Boost
2.9 High
1.5 Low		 27 32
 Hydronic 5 17,000 High
8,200 Low		 4.4 High
1.9 Low		 30 40
Hydronic 10 32,400 Boost
25,600 High
10,900 Medium
5,100 Low		 4.5 Boost
2.4 High
1.4 Medium
1.2 Low		 44 50
Hydronic 16 54,600 2.1** 24V
4.4** 12V		 48 60
Hydronic 24 82,000 3.3** (24V Only) 55 70
Hydronic 30 102,000 3.95** (24V Only) 68 80
Hydronic 35 120,000 5.0**(24V Only) 72 90

Note:  
B = Boost Output (intermittent rating) 
H = High Output (continuous rating) 
M = Medium Output (when maximum is too much & low is not enough)
L = Low (Minimum Output)
* Convection type radiators are large and are not practical on most boat installations
** Heater only + Pump Current

  Forced Air

Air is heated by the diesel fired burner system and carried via high temperature flexible ducting to the areas requiring heat.

The distribution of heat is controlled by using various duct sizes and in some areas adjustable heat registers may be useable to regulate hot air flow.

The forced air systems utilize one centrally located thermostat to control the operation of the heater, very similar to a forced air system in a home.
Model

Btu output rating

Amp Draw 12v

 Approximate
Boat Size in Feet in
the Northwest
POWER SAIL
Airtronic 2

7,500 Boost
6,150 High
4,100 Medium
2,900 Low

2.8 Boost
1.9 High
1.0 Medium
0.7 Low

 24 30
Airtronic 4

13,650 Maximum
10,200 High
 6,800 Medium
 3,400 Low

3.3 Boost
2.0 High
1.1 Medium
0.6 Low

 27 36
Airtronic 5
New 2006 Model

18,800 Boost
16,400 High
 9,200 Medium
 4,100 Low

6.7 Boost
6.7 High
3.3 Medium
3.3 Low

 33 40
D8LC

27,300

9.6

41 50

Note: 
Boost = Intermittent rating. 
High = continuous rating  
Medium = when maximum is too much & low is not enough
Low = Lowest Output (If the temperature continues to increase at low the heater will cycle off to standby.)
(All hot air models turn off when no heat is required to maintain cabin temperature)

                                                    West Coast Espar Dealer List

Sizing Guide for your application

Method 1

Cubic Foot Area to be heated - Measure the boat interior and use the guide below to determine your multiplier.

Caution - when using this method of estimating the heat requirements, it is important to 

Accurately measure the INTERIOR VOLUME to be heated.
     Do not measure the box that the boat came in.
     Do not measure the space taken up by cabinets, bunks or other permanent structure.

Geographic Location

Limited Winter
Use

btu's per cubic foot

Winter
Cruising 

btu's per cubic foot

Live Aboard
All Year 

btu's per cubic foot
Southern California 7 8 9
Northern California 9 10 11
Oregon & Washington 11 12 13
South East Alaska 14 15 16
Alaska 19 20 21


Example: cubic foot area to be heated = 1000 
 Live aboard in Washington = 11 

Estimated btu's: 1,000 x 11 = 11,000 -   Heater size = Airtronic D4 hot air or D4W hydronic

 


This link will take you to a side by side explanation of  the different version choices
or
click on the specific links below

Espar Grand Mariner Heaters

 Espar Mariner Heaters

CAN I INSTALL IT MYSELF?

 Yes!!  Boat Electric has configured Espar's universal models for easy marine installation.

With the simplified instructions installation is easier then ever, requiring only basic mechanical skills.

If you have a question your local dealer is just a phone call away.

West Coast Espar Dealer List

Specific installation instructions are not currently provided on our web site.

e-mail us with your requirements (using the sizing guides) and we can furnish you with 
current pricing for your heating system requirements.

West Coast Espar Dealer List

King - Stainless Steel Electric Heaters

MSR - Water to Air Heater Exchangers

Heater Craft - Heat from Your Engine
 

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