cockpit heater?

[Y Knot]

I have a "heater" that has a vent on the drivers side windshield and under the steering wheel. I can't figure out how to make it hot. The blower switch works but no heat. (not that i need it now, i'm just planning ahead.
Any ideas?:huh:

 

[Nehalennia]

I have a "heater" that has a vent on the drivers side windshield and under the steering wheel. I can't figure out how to make it hot. The blower switch works but no heat. (not that i need it now, i'm just planning ahead.
Any ideas?:huh:

Have you turned it on after the engine is at temperature?
If so it's a hydronic heater which works like a car, off of the engine coolant.

 

[fc3]

The cockpit heater on Just Ducky has two controls. One for the blower speed and the other for a solenoid valve in the engine coolant line. The heater operates with hot engine coolant from the starboard engine. Do you have a switch near the blower speed control?

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Hampton]

My 250 had one of these - it was great (1997 model). There was no volume control, just a 3-speed fan switch. Run the boat, turn on the switch. If no heat, open the engine hatch and check for a ball valve which may shut the system off altogether. Mine came off a "Y" next to the water heater. If that's not the problem, remove the supply line and check for blockage. Run water from a hose through it. You may consider momentarily cranking the motor with this hose off to check for flow.

If your boat has been operated in shallow water, the really, really long water hose may have sand/silt blocking it. If not, if it's been in salt water, the heat exchanger could be completely blocked by salt (or sand/silt). Once you get it working, consider rinsing your engines with fresh water at 1000 RPM instead of idle to rinse the cockpit heater heat exchanger and water lines thoroughly. If you're in fresh water, or don't rinse, or whatever, disregard those items. I'm not sure of your situation.

 

[Y Knot]

I have the 3 speed switch only, i'll check for the "Y" valve. thanks for your help!:smt038

 

[Cocktail Time]

I have the same system on my 95' 300. The system works just like described above. Your engine temp will warm the blown air, so it takes a little time to get up to operating temp. The dash vent works particularly well to de-fog the windshield after a cool night on the hook. It also works well in the summer as a vent, until the engine heats up the airflow. Used mine yesterday...Dan

 

[Nehalennia]

Have you tried running the boat first then turning it on? My system doesn't have the solenoid valve or "Y" valves Frank and John mentioned.

 

[Y Knot]

i haven't tried it at running temp yet. I'm going to the boat this friday (hurricane remains depending) and i'm going to look for the y valve. It must make for warm winter time cruising with the canvass up!

 

[Against The Wind]

The " shutoff valve" on my '96 290 was on the port side near the hot water tank, yellow handle on the valve. With canvas up at night it kept the person in frt of the steering wheel a little warm, but didnt do much for the rest of the cockpit.

 

[Hampton]

Please don't get confused. There isn't a Y-valve. The hose that carries hot water away from the engine to the hot water heater has a "Y" or "T" fitting that allows the water to go to the hot water heater and the cockpit heater. There may be a ball valve there to shut it off. Make sure that is open.

 

[fc3]

If y'all have twins, there probably isn't a Tee. One engine probably is plumbed to the water heater and the other engine is plumbed to the cockpit heater. Simplier that way.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Hampton]

Wow! Good point!