Diesel Heater Installation

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Hi,

anyone successfully installed a diesel heater in the catalina 34 ?
I'm not sure where to install it and especially where to install the air pipes.

Many thanks
Stefan

[mark_53]

I have not installed it but have one on my boat. It is located in the port side lazarett. Ducking runs forward under the port settee to approximately the mast. Ducting runs under the aft berth and exits facing the doorway. 

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Do you maybe have some images to get a better understanding.
I don't see much space to install the air pipes, but somehow it must be possible 

[Craig Illman]

I know a couple C34 owners that put Espar hydronic heaters in their boats. Running 1/2" or 3/8" PVC is a lot easier than 3" or 4" ducting. I believe they were inspired by a Mainsheet project article a half dozen or so years back for a different size Catalina. The Tech Wiki has an article about plumbing in a HeaterCraft radiator into the hot water heater coolant loop for heat while motoring. Red Dot also makes similar heater units that could be integrated with a diesel boiler.

Sure Marine has a 17000 BTU Webasto kit. http://www.suremarineservice.com/deluxe-webasto-heater-kits.aspx  Their parts list may give you an idea on what bits and pieces you may need for your project.   

BTW, there's considerably more room between the pan and hull on a C34 than on my C30 for either air ducting or coolant plumbing.

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Thank you Craig, I've seen this solution before but I've already got a used Eberspaecher Diesel Heater quite cheap from a friend.
Now i have to install it, somehow 

I've found this project description, which maybe comes close to marks description regarding the ducting.
http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-air-conditioning-2.html

Are there any alternatives ?

[waterdog]

i installed one.    Port side lazarette.   Direct tap down to fuel tank.   Exhaust out transom.   Hinged protective barrier to prevent contact with loose objects in the lazarette.    4 inch duct runs behind bathroom cabinets over the toilet roll holder, through the hanging locker aft of the nav, underneath the nav desk outboard, in the space behind the seats up high and ultimately into the forward cabin behind the drawers.    Used a holesaw to cut the ducts.    Shortened one drawer in the forward cabin.    2 inch feed to the the aft cabin.   4 inch port in main cabin at base of the hanging locker.    Another drop forward cabin.    It is actually not that difficult of install.    Ducts don't take up any useable space

[mainesail]

I've already got a used Eberspaecher Diesel Heater quite cheap from a friend.

Please make sure what you have is a "marine" unit and the marine accessories. LOTS of differences between truck Espar's and boat Espar's including software, plenum, ducting lengths, condensate trap, exhaust lagging and critical things (things that could kill you) such as marine flexible exhaust pipe (not the same a truck exhaust). Please also recognize that even the Espar Marine kit does not meet the minimum marine safety standards with the included "plastic" fuel line. You will need to source metric copper or 2.5 minute burn rate rated metric rubber fuel hose. 

[Paulus]

Stefan, I installed an Espar heater, lots of discussion on this site.  Note Mainsail's advice.  Webasto web site has a good manual for marine installation and they are also very knowledgeable.  I put in an Espar heater and used Webasto ducting  and grill, exhaust etc.  These part were interchangeable and much easier to get thro Webasto. 
Paul

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Thank you again for your advices!
Let's see if can make some photos