CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION

The compact unit to the left is the Webasto diesel boiler that will provide the heat to all four radiators on board H3O. As here, these are commonly fitted in the engine bay and run off diesel supplied from the main diesel tank. The feed pipe is the small coiled copper tubing to the right of the photo. The two black hoses connected to the boiler are the feed and return pipes to and from the radiators, the hot water is circulated around the system by a small pump built into the unit. The white pipe is the exhaust that exits through a hull fitting to the starboard side (right) of the boat. This unit is one of the two most popular diesel boilers used on narrowboats (the other is the Eberspacher unit) both can be affected by poor quality red diesel, we may see an end to these issues with the introduction of white road diesel forced upon us by the EU. At least we will see some benefit from the huge hike in taxation..! Rant over!!
The first of the radiators has been fitted. This is the chrome towel radiator pictured opposite in the bathroom. The rest of the radiators in the cabin areas will be of the plain white variety! I was surprised to see that John the fitter prefers to use the traditional copper fittings as opposed to plastic ‘push in’ type that I’ve used in the past. I’ve never had any leaks (touch wood) with the plastic type but I’m sure John hasn’t with the copper, I suppose it’s just personal preference. The radiator circuit is connected into the calorifier (hot water tank) that has also been fitted since my last visit (photo below left). The calorifier has twin coils fitted within the tank, one connected into the radiator circuit and the other into the engine coolant circuit. This provides two different means of heating the contained water surrounding these coils (or elements). Just like domestic tanks the copper cylinder is covered with a blue foam insulation and will keep the water hot overnight and well into the following day. The grey tank on the bulkhead is the header tank for the radiator system. This whole area will be boxed in to provide the stairway from the rear deck. The section above the calorifier and header tank will form a storage cupboard containing the main fuse boxes for both the 12 & 240v supply, hence the wires that have yet to be connected in place.
The majority of the wood work being done by Colecraft is now complete. The two internal doors are in situ. One forming the bathroom area and the other dividing the main bedroom cabin from the rest of the boat. The latter is fully fitted within a frame providing total privacy as on H2O. I’ve seen some dividing doors that have a large gap between the top of the door and cabin roof allowing noise and light into the sleeping area. Fine if you live aboard on your own or with a partner but a greater deal of privacy is normally required on hirer boat. I’ve added an extra photo of the detailing on the woodwork which is not always visible on the
main photos.
Colecraft are now coming to the end of their work on H3O, I hope to back at the yard next week to look at the last of the work before finally taking delivery of the boat the week after!? We hope! That’s when my work starts!
It’s been great to see that we’ve had comments by a couple of our Hirer’s who will be using the boat this year (no pressure then!). As mentioned before please don’t hesitate to leave feedback (keep it clean & positive!) and/or questions about the build.