drumsticksplinter

I have seen an old freezer heat exchanger (the black coils on the back) used in a project : http://blogs.asee.org/engineeringand/solar-thermal-water-heater-for-less-than-5/ Might be worth experimenting with, especially as they can be found in any scrap yard. Adam.

Hello, I've been looking long and hard into different methods of water heating for radiators and hot water. I still cant come to a conclusion as to which would suit my boat (once its finished). Amongst some of my research on heating solutions, solar couldn't be ignored. I'm wondering if anybody on here has successfully installed a system that actually works. I'm aware that we only have strong sunlight for a nominal amount of the year, but if the little we have year round could be used to assist in the heating process, i.e. taking the chill off, then surely that would save on fuel bills and allow existing devices to heat water more quickly? Basically this is just a talking point, I'm interested to hear different people experiences / opinions. Thanks.

Hi Everyone! I've just removed an old Farymann from my boat, due to an extensive restoration project. The engine is a very nice runner and was running up until the day it was removed. The engine number is 28A120344, which I presume is a model 28A made on the 12th of March 1944??? The engine is an air cooled single cylinder diesel with both starter motor and winding handle. The boat was an old working boat, which has had numerous additions over the years, but I'm fairly certain the engine has remained in there for its entirety. I'm hoping someone will be able to make good use of this rare example as I'm sure it will give many more years of good service. Any interested, please feel free to ask away!

Thanks everyone for your input, I think I will look into a solid fuel stove and try and get a webasto as a backup / convenience heater. Shame that the boat I've bought has a morso squirrel that is in disrepair! If anyone is missing any bits from theirs or would like spares then I will have see if I can salvage anything, doors look good, plus few other bits.

Good point! hadn't thought about that, I suppose I should make sure my cables are rated correctly and not too long!

Yeah I spoke to a webasto sales person on a stand of theirs last weekend. They told me that the "marine version" operates below 11 volts, whereas that automotive versions won't. But I'm a bit confused as to what batteries would work below 11v anyway without causing themselves damage? I meant to attend that talk, but I got distracted by the vast amount of other things going on there. I actually met you last weekend too Tony, some very helpful advice might I add too!

Thanks Chalky, Ideally I'd be looking for a unit that didn't require the can bus system at all, but I'm wondering if there is such a beast without it costing a fortune, and which model would I be looking at? Thermo top c?? I'll look into the w-bus system and see if I can make any sense of it. Cheers, Adam.

Hello, I'm probably not the only person to have asked this, but anyway, can the used webasto / Eberspacher heaters from cars etc on ebay be used in a narrowboat? I've read somewhere that some models require communication with the vehicles computer via can bus?? Has anybody had any experience with using one of these units with any success. Basically I'm rebuilding a complete narrowboat, therefore on a tight budget, so would prefer to spend a couple of hundred quid on a standard used heater than over a grand for a "narrowboat version". Any guidance would be gratefully received. Thanks!