Dickinson cabin heater flue cap in storms?

[bwindrope]

We are gearing up to eventually replace our old Force 10 kerosene heater with a new Dickinson model. What gives me pause is the size and shape of the flue cap. That thing sticks up so high, and looks designed to be ripped right off the deck by a decent wave. We don't often get green water in force over our deck, but plenty of 40 knot wind and hard driven water spray.

Anyone here have any experience with having a diesel heater and dealing with the exhaust flue cap? Plenty of people must have these who cruise rough waters and cross oceans? I'm seeking either reassurance or a different way to approach the problem and appreciate insights!

[sv_pelagia]

Ours stays on pretty tightly (H type). But also very easy to take off and replace with small cap. We don't typically sail with our Dickinson heating.

[bwindrope]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

Ours stays on pretty tightly (H type). But also very easy to take off and replace with small cap. We don't typically sail with our Dickinson heating.

Can you say what sort of cap you use? Any links? That would be a good solution. when you say you don't sail with it, do you mean you don't sail while using it? That would be true of us too. Only for use at anchorage.

[Jim Cate]

For our Fab-All (similar to Dickenson) we have a deck level connection between flue and Charley Noble. At sea we remove the CN and place a PVC pipe cap of appropriate size (helped along with some inner tube rubber inside the cap). This has worked for many tens of thousands of miles for us with zero leakage.

Jim

[bwindrope]

I'm learning that people don't use or keep the flue cap on during travel. That makes sense, though I hadn't thought of that. Our current heater cap is only a 1" pipe and the cap is merely a hat like lid to the exhaust pipe. I cover the whole thing in a sunbrella cap I made for the job. Would be great to see a photo of your setups!

[Svsumurun]

Our Dickerson propane heater has a bell shaped flue cap ( well more of an upside down bowl maybe) .. works fine , no issues with water - and believe me it's had water go over it and really not a trip hazard any more than anything else on the deck !

[sv_pelagia]

We have had the furnace going while sailing but normally do not, just in case it goes out (while motoring, our engine heats boat through heat exchanger & radiators).

Rain cap for 3" pipe
https://ca.binnacle.com/m91/Dickinso...duct_info.html



PS Propane heater cap mentioned above very different from diesel.

[bwindrope]

Originally Posted by sv_pelagia

We have had the furnace going while sailing but normally do not, just in case it goes out (while motoring, our engine heats boat through heat exchanger & radiators).

Rain cap for 3" pipe
https://ca.binnacle.com/m91/Dickinso...duct_info.html



PS Propane heater cap mentioned above very different from diesel.

This is a great link as my prior searching had not turned up a cap like this from Dickinson. I suppose this cap, or a PVC cap, would do the job. Holding it on in rough conditions will require some kind of good friction like the inner tube idea above. That will depend on tolerances. Easy to figure out. Thanks!

[sv_pelagia]

Originally Posted by bwindrope

This is a great link as my prior searching had not turned up a cap like this from Dickinson. I suppose this cap, or a PVC cap, would do the job. Holding it on in rough conditions will require some kind of good friction like the inner tube idea above. That will depend on tolerances. Easy to figure out. Thanks!

Contact Dickinson directly (email or phone; they are very responsive), as the cap comes from them. Very tight fitting so nothing else required to keep it on.

PVC cap would work too; much cheaper but perhaps not as nice looking.


PS Binnacle has a USA site: https://us.binnacle.com/index.php?ip2web=1

[peter loveridge]

I've had a Dickinson propane heater for two decades. Like you it replaced a force 10. ( I was concerned about carbon monoxide) The cap has never concerned me and it is very robust