All electric heaters run at 100% efficiency, since they don't employ a chimney or vent that pump heat outside.
Two 1500 W appliances would load a 30 A, 110 V system pretty much to max, but not quite over. If it's a 220 V, 30A shore power system, the two appliances will only load it to 50%
Yep that's what we figured. 220 is obviously better in many regards and is what we're used to from Europe.
You could run two by running on the lower setting which only pulls 750 watts. It still heats it up nicely.
The Espar you linked to, looks like its just the diesel heater itself (they get fitted onto sleeper trucks/cabs). They work on a boat but you need a marine kit to retrofit it (exhaust pipe, and a few other things). You might also have to buy additional piping for the heat to travel (the length provided may just not be enough).
We have an Espar on our boat (dry docked right now) and it's amazing - works great, even when dry docked.
Instead of the forced air heater, you should consider a diesel fired stove. They use almost no electricity compared to 2amps for the espar/webasto.
Don't play with the terracotta pots idea - too much risk from carbon monoxide!
insulation , insulation we use sheepswool (it doesn't make you itch and it even becomes more efficient if it gets a little damp!) awesome invention! example products we use are slabs 50mm thick which will easily squeeze into place here http://www.celticsustainables.co.uk/thermafleece-tf35-high-density-wool-slabs-insulation/?gclid=COm_kMCTg7sCFUbKtAodTzEAUQ , no doubt the usa has similar options eg a few slabs of that stuff will make you warm and cosy!
I would also suggest getting some air bubblers on either side of your boat to prevent icing/water freezing
around the hull area
Hi Alex & Taru,
Probably not on the program just to survive one winter before heading back to the palm trees, but most serious full time cold weather cruisers and fishermen choose pot burner style heaters (Dickinson or Reflex) instead of forced air systems like the Espar. No electrical draw, much lower long term maintenance, and much lower initial cost. With the addition of a heat exchanger coil you have full time hot water and can pipe the hot water to inexpensive industrial grade radiators elsewhere in the boat.
Looks like the first real winter is upon you now, so you'll find out if the 30 amp service is adequate. But do use caution especially when pushing the AC wiring to the limit!
Hi Taru
The fan heater uses a little bit more electricity that the Oil filled electric heater, because an electric motor is used to blow air over the heating coils. Electric heating is clean and safe in confined spaces because it doesn't burn up the Oxygen in the room, on the other hand, flames need oxygen to keep going, so unless air is coming into the cabin from outside, it's your breathing air that it's going to use. But air coming into the cabin from outside is cold and you're going to use valuable heat warming it up!
Whilst it is necessary to heat the cabin up, it is just as important to stop that heat from getting away, so treat insulation with the same level of importance as the heating.
On the use of electricity, always remember the following simple maths....
Amps X Volts = Watts
Therefore if you know what the volts are, and you know how many Watts it is (from the label)....then....
Amps = Watts divided by Volts.
Lastly, the human body is a good heater in itself, so eat food with a higher calorific value. Remember "calorie" comes from the Latin word for heat!
Best of luck.
Just my two cents worth but when you said you needed to find some good base/insulating layers i couldn't recommend ice breaker merino wool thermals more! They are amazing, made from 100% natural merino sheep's wool from New Zealand and are incredibly warm. I wear them all winter skiing and they don't let me down, they wick away moisture and keep you warm, give them a try. http://uk.icebreaker.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-IB-UK-Site/default/Home-Show
Keep warm and enjoy! Alice
Found a Force 10 for sale on Craigslist: http://newlondon.craigslist.org/boa/4105265618.html Don't wait if you're interested. Make sure you get the flue parts if he still has them, they can get expensive quick.
You can run the flue through a hatch, using a plywood square replacing the hatch cover, then on up through your shrink-wrap cover.
Check out http://www.zipcar.com - great for running errands you can't get to on the T.
Best cold weather gear you can buy from socks to long johns, but pricey, is from CC Filsons. Their stuff will last a lifetime as well. Www.filson.com. With 20 years of hunting in the cold, it's worth the $$.
Stay warm!