buily-in heaters safe ?

jimbo36 · Post by **jimbo36** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:10 am

I have built in heaters that I believe are original factory installs in my 1974 F36 Tri Cabin.

Anyone else here wondering if they are safe?

I think mine are Chromalox. One on the end of the setee in the Salon and one in the aft cabin in the rear bulkhead behind the folding ladder. Jimbo36.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:48 am

Maybe , due to the age and what they live thru a close inspection is in order . The one in my v berth had a short in it ( even when off ) I have removed both of them from the power source and rely on a west Marine heater and a oil filled radiator heater . and block heat for the engines . one of the breakers that was for 1 heater now is for the block heaters and the other is now for the fly bridge power ( incl heat )

rbcool · Post by **rbcool** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 2:28 pm

IMHO I wouldn't trust a built in heater more than 20 years old. Many codes have changed since then.
Paul...... you've mentioned west marine heaters several times, do you like them? I guess I mean, would you go out of your way to get one?

Ron

randyp · Post by **randyp** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:27 pm

I use a good old 120V / 1500 watt space heater purchased at Lowes a couple of years ago. Works fine for the F26 cabin on those early spring and late fall mornings and nights aboard. I agree about not trusting a 20+ year old built in heater.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:40 pm

Ron ,
I like them as the hold up well and they are hard to knock over . and thats a plus on a boat . not the cheapest but worth it in my opion . I use a oil filled radator the heater to keep the cabin from freezing but use the west one when on board and need more . I also use one up on the flybrige for cold weater boating .

rbcool · Post by **rbcool** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 9:49 pm

Definitely gonna get me one

Ron

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:27 pm

http://www.westmarine.com/1/1/25529--po ... eater.html

g36 · Post by **g36** » Thu Feb 03, 2011 9:46 am

mine still work properly but... i only use my originals when i am physically on my boat and not while sleeping. i also have a fear of something being this old. i have found new heaters that will fit in the original wood boxes (if that is what you have also) that will have todays safety features i.e high temp safety features
i havent spent the money on them but have thought seriously about it. that way the original look would still be there but it would be safe