MacGregorSailors.com

Has anyone tried any of the Coleman propane heaters. There seems to be a good selection on Colemans website.

Wasn't sure if one was better than another. Do not think they have temp controls on them (On/Off) and have different output etc.



Is it a good idea for the mac? Pros/Cons?

Thanks

Only have occasional need for heat, but the one you picture is probably the one I'd try. All usual propane cautions apply ... use it only while awake, turn off before going to sleep. Don't stow it in the cabin. Place it in the galley sink so that any minor propane leak might drop outboard through the sink drain(?)

My wish list also shows the Zodi combo shower/tent heater. It blows hot air through a hose, so the propane and the burner can remain securely mounted (?) outside in the cockpit. I imagine I'd add a round deck plate (cabin bulkhead or lower hatch) for access of the heater hose. Zodi's full product range shows on their home page.

Frank C wrote:Only have occasional need for heat, but the one you picture is probably the one I'd try. All usual propane cautions apply ... use it only while awake, turn off before going to sleep. Don't stow it in the cabin. Place it in the galley sink so that any minor propane leak might drop outboard through the sink drain(?)

Don't know if the propane would drain out, as (at least in our boat) there is a trap of water in the drain.

So they work OK? Not that expensive, which is good. But the cost of propane could get out of hand if it stays cold

Paul

Good point, but I have no water trap. Don't want water sitting in there.

Logic tells me that the propane bottle won't leak if it's lit. And I'd stow it outside when unlit . . . so maybe the sink drain is moot anyway.

GreatLooperDave wrote: . . . Note that the retailer echos Frank's safety admonition. . . .
All usual propane cautions apply . . . use it only while awake, turn off before going to sleep. Don't stow it in the cabin. . . . .

1. Yes, the Black Cat is cheaper, but Power Cat includes a battery fan to help move the heat around. At the meager heat rating, I'd spend more for the fan model.

2. Both models are usually available new on eBay at much lower prices.

3. I'd candidly rather take credit as the echo.

GreatLooperDave wrote:

Frank C wrote: the Black Cat is cheaper, but Power Cat includes a battery fan to help move the heat around. At the meager heat rating, I'd spend more for the fan model.

Based upon the number of larger, more efficient fans I see in Mac owners' interior shots, many have already addressed the issue of air circulation within the cabin. This, of course, relegates the builtin fan to redundancy & wasting batteries.

Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things right.

Choosing the more effective model would obviously be a matter of circumstance, personal taste & energy awareness.

See you on eBay,
David

I like the idea of an all-in-one unit. Heat and blow it around. I wish that the units had a temp control. From what I understand they are either on or off. So if it gets too warm, you have to shut it off, then turn it on when it gets cold again. Still better than rattling your teeth

Batteries are so cheap. I buy them at Costco in bulk anyway. Cost/waste is not a huge issue. (please don't start on a tree hugging, earth day tangent on the evils of waste)

The only thing I was starting to think about is ... with the grill and potential heater purchase... we will be going through a lot of propane. Can we buy the little propane bottles cheap (or in bulk) somewhere (walmart, etc). Kills me to pay retail

Paul

Paul,
Hiya from Britain!
I use a 'Wallas' cooker and cabin heater combination. It is a 2 ring burner but with the lid down, becomes a blow heater.
It is powered by paraffin - don't know what the same stuff is in the States (is it kerosine??).
MUCH safer - no risk of explosion (or very little).
Another advantage is that the heat is 'dry' - therefore no condensation!
Max

Anyone recall the detail on what fuel the wallace is supposed to use in the US?

I seem to recall a thread a while back that something specific was supposed to be used to reduce plugging potential. SOemthing about water white or clear kerosene really not being as clear as it used to be years ago?


Thanks

We used the Coleman platinum catalytic heater last year. We put it in the sink for the overboard drainage mentioned previously and because the heater was secure there.

Since it is a flameless catalytic heater I did not mind letting it run all night. It used half a bottle per night.

I have a propane heater I bought on Ebay for $50, sells for about $80-90 at Outdoor World here in Nashville. I use it regularly when it gets cold and it does an excellent job. Go Ebay and save some money!

Steve

The most common Wallas heater for the Mac is the 800 with the 210 blower lid. The fuel used in the US is 100% mineral spirits. We use the Ace Hardware brand, but others will work. The distributor is Scan Marine and quite a few of these heater/stoves are installed by BWY.

http://www.scanmarineusa.com/W800.htm

I use an Origo Heat Pal alcohol marine space heater available @ Holland Marine,Toronto,Canada. It's approx.180 CAN.$ I find it to be safe and effective-in the Great White North!

Thanks for the memory jogger. I thought it might have been mineral spirits but wasn't sure. I use this in my lantern now after reading about it on the trailer sailer board. Seems to burn very clean in my old dietz kerosene lantern and be a big improvement over amp oil or kerosene. (even though the can says not to be used as a fuel). What's the deal with that I wonder?

The heater is nearly 6" longer than the 800. Would need to measure the counter top to make sure that it fit. The extra 2000 BTU would be nice on our New Year's Eve cruise.

HI all,

I have a 98 MAC 26 X. I installed an electric heater on board and it works very well. The heater is 12 Volt and runs off the house battery which is 120 amps. No problems found with it.