1985 Weekender Heating Question

[nojmanloo]

Hello,
New to this forum. Sold my very old Trojan and purchased a newer 1985 Sea Ray Weekender in great condition for a great price!

Had her out for the first time this weekend and all went well except one small issue. I could not get the heater to work. The blower blows out cold air. The previous owner gave me a note book with lots of typed out instructions and his instructions on the Heater is that it will only work when the Starboard engine is running. That makes no sense to me! Who wants to run the engine all night to keep the cuddy warm when sleeping on the boat at the marina?

His instructions show the Air Conditioning unit to work of electrical but not the heater - Is this true?

It was cold this weekend with temps on the lake in michigan in the low 40's. While the wife and I found ways to keep warm :grin: I'm sure she would prefer that I just get the hearter working :huh:

Thanks

 

[Sundancer]

Your heater is a hydronic heater, meaning it works off the hot water from your engine. It's just like the heater in your car. The A/C works only when you are plugged into shore power and won't work off the engine like a car does. The problem with heating while at anchor is that heat requires lots of energy that cannot be stored efficiently in batteries. So you either need to bring a small ceramic heater for those nights on shore power or invest in a diesel heater that can burn using little electricity while on the hook. Your best bet is to pickup a small electric CERAMIC heater that is approved for use on the boat. West Marine and other stores have them and they will make the nights much more fun!