Just About Sailing April 2019 - Installing a Chinese Diesel Heater, Pt 3 Full operational test run
Very Nearly About Sailing
Just about sailing is simply a light hearted video diary of someone who has wanted a sailing boat for as long as he can remember. Then in 2015 I decided it's now or never. Let the adventures begin! I bought a lovely Mirage 28 which I recently sailed round the South of the UK (check the short series of 13 videos April to May 2017) to a traditional boatyard in Kent for a refit prior to taking her off to venture somewhere warmer. Who knows where the adventure will take me. I would be delighted if you want to tag along with me and comment.
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I needed to do a full operational test run, so I thought I would video it. Not the most interesting video you will ever see, but hopefully useful if you are thinking of installing one of these units.
I was particularly interested in the current draw (amps) so that I can start doing my power audit for sizing batteries and solar panels etc.
In summary;
There is a brief high draw (about 8 amps) on both the start-up and switch off – which is when the glow plug is on.
At full blast it draws about 3.3 amps – this is when both the fan and the fuel pump running at full speed.
At idle (or tickover) this reduces to about 0.6 amps – this is when the diesel is still being burnt and there is some heat coming out, but is basically when the temperature you set on the LCD control panel (thermostat) has been reached.
The thermostat switches the unit from full to idle at 1 C above the temperature you set, and then goes back to full power when the temperature drops to 1 C below the temperature you have set.
This seems just about right to me.
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