Quality Electric Heater

[cburger]

I currently own a small Kenwood brand oil filled radiator type electric heater. I am looking to add another heater and have read that the radiator type heaters are not all that safe. Who makes a high quality, high output, safe, energy efficient electric heater. The boat is 32' and insulated, space is at a premium so I don't want the unit to be too large.

[Sailor Robius]

Hi output and energy efficient are not exactly friends. I would look for a ceramic disc type for best results as the ceramic element holds the heat created better than metal but it is a power suck. A temp control thermostat is a must. One that oscillates is good for heating multiple separated cabins if the doors are left open. There are also 360 deg models that blow
Everywhere at once. Look at Honeywell, polanis, and other well known names.

[foggysail]

BTUs in always equals BTUs out with all the electric heaters that I know of. And all electric heaters are 100% efficient if you measure efficiency by BTUs in against out. There is no free lunch.

Oil filled heaters--- Yes, I know they exist but I have no clue why. Imagine an oil leak along with a thermostat failure.

I cannot give advise regarding which heater to purchase other than you want something safe. I would not want to be looking at glowing nichrome wire that could cause fire if anything came in touch with it.

[Stray-Cat]

Agree with foggysail
You don't want a glowing wire type
If lint or dust collects ,there is a danger of fire
And passive heaters don't circulate heat ,you need a fan type
Here is a safe type portable heater
Caframo - Ecofans, specialty fans and heaters, overhead stirrers

I have King brand built-in heaters
The marine type King are safe
KING ELECTRIC - Electric Heaters - Marine - PAW SERIES WALL ELECTRIC HEATER PIC-A-WATT MARINE - Manufacturer of Electric Heaters and Thermostats, buy electric heater, buy thermostat, wholesale electric heaters, wholesale thermostats, retail electric

[River Cruiser]

+1 on the calframo & the king both work very good & are dependable & safe. I have three king 1000 watt that are built-ins that are 25 years old & a calframo that I've used for 13 years without problem. 1 king & the calframo will keep my 38' boat comfortable in the galley & salon, & the king in the forward berth does the same for it & the forward head. The calframo will operate at 400, 900 or 1500 watt. On 400 depending on the thermostat setting it runs all the time keeping air circulating & is economical, it's a little smaller than a shoe box.

[cburger]

Can you expand a little more on the economy of the Coframo, the approximate cost of the unit and maybe were to buy, thanks.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by cburger

Can you expand a little more on the economy of the Coframo, the approximate cost of the unit and maybe were to buy, thanks.

The Caframo heater is one of those products that West Marine has slapped its own brand name on for its own distribution.

WEST MARINE Portable Cabin Heater at West Marine

[River Cruiser]

Originally Posted by cburger

Can you expand a little more on the economy of the Coframo, the approximate cost of the unit and maybe were to buy, thanks.

IMHO being able to operate at 400, 900 or 1500 watts is better than some of the units that only operate at 1500. I've had the Calframo since 2001 & have had 2 oil heaters that lasted about 3 years each before I bought a 2nd calframo. Here's a eBay link:
Caframo True North Electric Space Heater 9206CA-BBX Home Boat RV 120 Volt New

[Trekka]

I'm a big fan of the disc element ceramic's by companies like Pelonis, sometimes called "heat machines". These are heavy and put out a lot of very warm air. But they are safe in that even a phosphor tipped match wil not ignite if placed against the elements. And as they get hotter the current is reduced. So if the fan fails, or airflow is blocked, the unit will reduce its current down to nothing. But as long as the air flows and draws heat away from the elements they will keep on producing warm air.

I also like Caframo/West mentioned upstream. FWIW I prefer to have more heaters running at lower current settings as it spreads out the warmth.

Be sure to check your connections often! Put your hand around the plugs. A bit warm is ok. Very warm is cause for concern. Hot is a shrieking alarm. It is not just too much current that can cause heating of the connections and cables, but also corrosion or other factors resulting in a poor connection. Such can cause heating up to melting w/o tripping a circuit breaker.

[GaryMayo]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...2Cgarden%2C527


The current best technology is infrared space heaters. Unlike traditional space heaters that use heated coils, or heated ceramics, infrared heaters more gently heat the air. These do not zap the life out the air in a room, like most portable room heaters do.

The first ones were edenpure brand, and cost more than copycat brands out now.

These heaters put off a cooler heat, safe for kids and pets.

We love ours, and would highly recommend one.

[swabbmob]

The West Marine Caframo have been the simplest and least expensive for us. The oil heater we had was pretty useless - and took up a lot of space.

[cburger]

Thanks for the good imput all.