Shipmate Cabin Heater Refit Question

[RLewis]

Hi- my '81 sailboat has what I believe to be is a Shipmate brand diesel heater in the cabin. The heater is plumbed to a fuel pump from the main tank and a separate line to the heater. I have found that the soot from the burning is becoming a problem. Very messy on the deck. I have heard that burning kerosene will produce a cleaner exhaust and less soot on the deck- in part because of the type of deisel we use in the US. If this is true what are your thoughts on abandoning the fuel tank line and pump set up and going to a small day tank wtih gravity feed to the cabin heater?
Also the heater works well but only on the #3(high) postion of the dial switch on the unit. The flame goes out if I have it on #1 or #2 (low -med).
Does anyone know how to "tune up " this kind of heater so it can function fully as it was designed? It works well on high and gets the cabin nice and toasty but it would be nice to be able to control it better.
Thanks Randy

[DeepFrz]

Try emailing Dickinson for info. I'm not sure if you need a different valve for kerosene or not.