Electric Heating while at the Dock

LHFixer · Post by **LHFixer** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:17 pm

Howdy boys. It's been a while. I have been neglecting the boat for a bit. I guess my question stems from that. I want to extend the usage of my boat, at least the cabin space, into the winter. I have two breakers that run the A/C sitting at 15A each (I think). I have four empty slots on that line for expansion. Do you think I can draw enough juice to have effective heating in the main cabin and sleeping quarters?

You can check my math:

I have 2X30A lines from the dock, one of which powers the A/C, so basically I have 30A to play with.

I was thinking of using these:
http://www.heatersplus.com/fdi.htm
or these:
http://www.heatersplus.com/gfr.htm

They are fairly compact and I can adjust the output. (If the breakers start blowing)

The high setting is 1500W at 120V, (I=P/E) =12.5A

I know that it is rated at 30A but can I expect the breakers to withstand a 25A draw? Will two, be enough in Maryland?

Am I re-inventing the wheel? Anybody got a better idea?

Thanks,

Eric

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 5:34 pm

I've used a small space heater down to 35 degrees ... and kep it fairly warm, but a good sleeping bag really did the trick.

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Wed Dec 16, 2009 9:54 pm

I bought an inexpensive space heater and it does fine. Just be sure to get one with the switch that turns it off if it tips over. Then we usually run a small fan on low to keep the heat from becoming stratified, all the hot air by the ceiling and the floor freezing.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:29 am

I don't think I would use the floor heater not to many places to mount it safely do to gas fumes below the floor (bilge area)

jwrape · Post by **jwrape** » Thu Dec 17, 2009 9:07 am

I have 3 built in heaters from Trojan that resemble this but older
http://www.heatersplus.com/gfr.htm

But mine are the 1974 version.
They work great and run on 15amp breakers. I run all three at once and they will run you out of the cabin. We had to almost turn them off in 28degree weather last winter.

We stay on our boat during the winter all the time. We are going out this weekend and it's supposed to snow.