In this system hot water/antifreeze solution is heated and stored in a 15 gal storage
tank and 3" of insulation
The tank is a modified pressure cooker with 10 hose
connectors for 3/4" diameter hose.
The tank is heated by a Webasto diesel boiler which is set to maintain
the storage tank at 170 F
Stores about 10000 BTU
A thermostat is mounted outside the tank under the insulation
Pressure in the tank is neutral and is maintained throughout the
heating cycle with a vented expansion tank
The stored hot water isn't used up, but circulated through heat exchangers
to extract the heat from it at the time of use.
The stored heat is used for:
Domestic hot water
A flat plate heat exchanger is mounted
inside the tank to reduce losses and to provide a limited amount of water to the
sinks without turning on the pump.
Recirculating shower.
The tank's 10,000 BTUs is enough to heat a shower which uses about 150 BTU/min, for
about an hour (less some losses).
The recirculating shower heat exchanger is located under the
sink in the head
Forced hot air for the cabin includes three air handlers located
in the
Head which can also be directed to the wet locker or qtr.
berth
Salon
Fwd. Cabin which can also be directed into the salon
Hot Water Schematic
Octopus
This is the heat storage tank with its insulating lid off. It
is kind of obvious why we call it the octopus.
To Use Cabin Heat
Turn on the heat breaker on the 12v panel
Turn on the system heat
Set the thermostat for desired temperature
Turn on the air handler fans (fans will not go on unless thermostat is
calling for heat)
Set the vents
To Use Hot Water
Turn on the heat breaker on the 12v panel
Turn on the system heat
Wait 5 minutes for water to heat up
Turn on heat exchanger pump (timer switch in head)
Set diverter valve at point of use for hot water
Turn on water pump (timer switch at sink)
Use the diverter valves to select and then prime the hot water
