webasto heater 280/315 sundancer 2004

[jon and michie]

Hi - could anyone tell me what specifications and details of the webasto heating was installed on the 280/315?

maybe looking at fitting a heater but trying to go original fitment as much as possible as my 315 didn't come with that optional extra.

Many thanks in advance

jon

 

[Henry Boyd]

You’re probably going to have to provide more details. Heating on the 280s sold in the US is handled through a reverse cycle air conditioning system. The brand is Cruiseair. Is Webasto a brand name or type of heater?

H

 

[jon and michie]

Hi Henry - Yes I think you are correct.
I think it was a reverse cycle system - I think the original sea ray option was fitted under the galley seat with the vent fitted as seen here.

Webasto is a make that I have seen on a thermostat control on a sea ray hence why I think the whole system was manufactured by webasto.

Jon

 

[Henry Boyd]

Jon,

Gotcha, man that looks identical to our old 280.

European electricity is 220 single phase vs our 110. So there might be a different air con control system. The us OEM control was a Dometic SMX-II.

The us system involved:
1. Bronze through hull and strainer, 1” ID if memory serves,
2. AC circulating pump, with clutched impeller,
3. Self contained under seat reverse cycle ac unit,
4. Above waterline marelon polymer through hull,
5. Above mentioned SMX-II
6. Plumbing to connect raw water cooling for air con condenser.

Both the circulation pump and compressor motor could be converted to 220 by re assigning the armature and core wiring, so the us ac unit could be the same, but for motor re- wiring. But the control system might need to be replaced. That might be why you have seen a Webasto controller. But I think the SMX should work. You might have seen a system made up from local parts.

On the us models the control was designated SMX-II. These aren’t made by Dometic anymore. However, a company in Pennsylvania, Flight Systems, now builds a replacement. You might contact them to see if their control will work in a 220 environment.

US marine AC wiring calls for double pole switching, so running two hots to create 220, so existing wiring would work. More importantly the AC breaker that fits in the Sea Ray electrical panel will work, although you might need two?

that brings us to wiring. Do you have the Sea Ray owners manual and parts manual? The owners manual has all the wiring diagrams you need, as well as part numbers for air con unit. I know the euro version wiring was included in mine. If you don’t, let me know I think I still have a pdf copy I could send you.

ducting is pretty simple. The air return is under the seat. The cabinet forms a plenum, note the slots under the Tambor door shelf, as well as in the top of the port side Vee berth cupboard/closet. There is a vent on the other side of the galley seating under the mid berth curtain.

I did a detailed posting on the ducting a while ago for CSR member Melida. If you search on our names you should find it. He lives in Turkey and at the time also had a euro 280.
Best of luck & keep us updated with your progress,
H

 

[bahamabreisus]

We have replaced our units with Webasto reverse cycle systems. They are far superior to the Dometic units Sea Ray used. Webasto is much more efficient and less noise. If you are looking for specs, try there web site or look on the unit, there will be a fair amount of info on the plate.

 

[jon and michie]

Thank you for the replies.
I don't know why but I am now thinking of maybe installing a diesel heater.
This would keep the area under the galley seat clear and is good storage space - also the unit would be placed out of the cabin so very minimal noise.

Jon

 

[Henry Boyd]

Thank you for the replies.
I don't know why but I am now thinking of maybe installing a diesel heater.
This would keep the area under the galley seat clear and is good storage space - also the unit would be placed out of the cabin so very minimal noise.

Jon

I’m kind of at a loss for where a heater could be located and still be accessible enough to get heat into the cabin. Could you provide more detail?

When you say diesel heater, do you mean a heater that would burn the diesel oil, or an actual Diesel engine that would run to produce heat? The reason I ask is that a few years ago I read an article on a high efficiency home design that used a diesel powered generator to produce electricity, where the waste heat from the engine was then used to heat radiant heating elements. It would be cool if it were the latter.

H

 

[jon and michie]

Hi Henry - I am thinking under the cockpit sink in the locker area then running the heat pipe under the helm into the cabin area.
The heater is similar to what is used in trucks - etc like this one

There is the russian made Planar make and the chinese made ones - both models a fraction of the price of a webasto and the eberspacher ones.
on another forum the users on there are more than happy to use the chinese ones as they cost approx $200 and have outlasted the eberspacher equivilent by years
yes there has been plenty of statements as in quality of build etc.
but eberspacher and webasto has been fined by a european court for price fixing.
anyway back to the subject I am still only thinking about it as UK it gets a lot colder than it does warmer hence not too fussed about the air conditioning I am focusing more on heat for the winter periods.
fuel consumption would be approx 1 litre or 0.264 us gallons for every 4hrs usage - in other words pennies to run.

jon

 

[Henry Boyd]

Jon,

If the heater is similar to the one in the vid I’d suggest locating it under port aft facing seat. Intake air could be drawn from the cockpit. This location would put you in a better position to get into the cabin with the output. The OEM system runs down the port side and other than ducting, there are a couple built in plenums in the port side cabinetry.

The big trick will be venting the exhaust gas safely. The exhaust system temps really concern me. You probably would need to insulate, or double wall the exhaust piping so as not to damage/burn the Fiberglas. It of course would have to be high enough above the water to prevent water intrusion.

Under the bar is a good location for electronics, but getting heating ducting into the cabin would be a real challenge. It also is a good storage spot of which there are very few on the 280.

Sounds like a neat project. Keep us updated with how it goes.

H

 

[bahamabreisus]

Does your existing system not have heat. Ours does, and will run you out it gets so warm.

 

[jon and michie]

Jon,

If the heater is similar to the one in the vid I’d suggest locating it under port aft facing seat. Intake air could be drawn from the cockpit. This location would put you in a better position to get into the cabin with the output. The OEM system runs down the port side and other than ducting, there are a couple built in plenums in the port side cabinetry.

The big trick will be venting the exhaust gas safely. The exhaust system temps really concern me. You probably would need to insulate, or double wall the exhaust piping so as not to damage/burn the Fiberglas. It of course would have to be high enough above the water to prevent water intrusion.

Under the bar is a good location for electronics, but getting heating ducting into the cabin would be a real challenge. It also is a good storage spot of which there are very few on the 280.

Sounds like a neat project. Keep us updated with how it goes.

H

thank you form your reply these are only ideas at the moment as I am nowhere near the boat to plan the install properly.
the exhaust will have exhaust band wrapped around it to prevent high heat and fires the outlet will have this thru hull fitting which is manufactured for exhaust https://www.ebay.co.uk/i/1426849239...MIgrX4_4Sm5QIVhrHtCh0HQwPrEAQYBSABEgKhP_D_BwE

I will update probably in a months time when I have seen and planned and hopefully in install one

jon

 

[jon and michie]

Does your existing system not have heat. Ours does, and will run you out it gets so warm.

Unfortunately not - I would assume the american market would have ac as standard as most parts of america is warm where as the u.k gets pleasantly warm in the summer but cold in the winter so it was only offered as an option

jon