Firemedic181
Active Member
Hello and leaving the boat in an indoor well this year in Michigan and wondering at what water temp will the heat exchanger stop working for the air/heat unit to stop producing heat?
Heating unit on boat
- Thread starter Firemedic181
- Start date
unsalted
Active Member
- Jan 21, 2022
- 264
- Boat Info
- 2001 Sundancer 310
- Engines
- Twin MX 6.2L MPI w/Bravo III Drives
Here is the info from my dometic controller manual:
In Heat Mode, the opposite is true. As the seawater gets colder, there is less heat available, and the heating efficiency is reduced. Full heating capacity is obtained at approximately 55°F (13°C) seawater temperature. Performance drops to about 50% of rated capacity in 40°F (4.4°C) water. Below this, the system pressure can be so low that the unit will shut down on low-pressure fault. This problem is compounded when the cabin is also cold. See the Fault Shutdowns and Error Messages section
In Heat Mode, the opposite is true. As the seawater gets colder, there is less heat available, and the heating efficiency is reduced. Full heating capacity is obtained at approximately 55°F (13°C) seawater temperature. Performance drops to about 50% of rated capacity in 40°F (4.4°C) water. Below this, the system pressure can be so low that the unit will shut down on low-pressure fault. This problem is compounded when the cabin is also cold. See the Fault Shutdowns and Error Messages section
Stee6043
Well-Known Member
I'd personally sleep a lot better with a couple oil filled radiator type heaters onboard, with t-stats. I know my heat pumps can sometimes struggle to make heat when I launch early in the spring. I'd be a nervous wreck of I was relying on those things in winter time.
- Sep 25, 2016
- 1,257
- Boat Info
- 300 Sundancer 1994, trailered tri-axle LoadRite roller
- Engines
- Mercruiser 5.7 260HP Alpha One Gen II, twin
Don’t overlook the engine room too.
Got a bilge heater?
Got a bilge heater?
mrsrobinson
Well-Known Member
To answer your question, what @unsalted said.
I leave them off and use one of these instead: https://www.caframobrands.com/9206cabbx.html
I leave them off and use one of these instead: https://www.caframobrands.com/9206cabbx.html
israellegendary
New Member
- Oct 4, 2022
- 4
- Boat Info
- 300 Sundancer 2000, Raymarine E120 GPS
- Engines
- Bravo III Drives
Typically, the heat exchanger in air/heat units stops working when the water temperature drops below a certain point. It can vary, but usually around 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit. But hey, don't take my word for it! I'd recommend checking the manual or maybe consulting with a professional to get more accurate details for your specific unit. Oh, and by the way, have you ever considered adding some Designer Radiators to your boat? They can give it a really cool and stylish look.
