Wallas heater - kerosene or diesel

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rsn48

Guru
Joined
Feb 18, 2019
Messages
2,019
Location
Canada
Vessel Name
Capricorn
Vessel Make
Mariner 30 - Sedan Cruiser 1969
First let me begin by saying I'm lazy and always prefer the lazy solution unless reality dictates otherwise.

Secondly my old boat is a stink pot, translation it is gas. I love this as I don't have to deal with the vagaries of fuel polishing and tank cleaning - note my first sentence above.

Thirdly I am having a Wallas heater installed, smaller one as my boat is 29 feet. I just found out I can have a kerosene heater installed instead of diesel. My refitter doesn't want to install any tank over two gallons as he says that amount of diesel, used for heating only, not stove or anything else, will last a long time. He said if I don't use it up, I could end up with sludge in the small tank. He said if I need additional diesel, just bring a small secondary portable tank along, like two gallons.

Then he mentioned kerosene. I know kerosene doesn't age like diesel, doesn't sludge up a tank like diesel. So I'm thinking of using kerosene.

What are your thoughts on this?

If you look at the specifications on this Wallas heater site, you will note it is kerosene:

https://wallas.fi/index.php?id=47
 
rsn48 said:
First let me begin by saying I'm lazy and always prefer the lazy solution unless reality dictates otherwise.

Secondly my old boat is a stink pot, translation it is gas. I love this as I don't have to deal with the vagaries of fuel polishing and tank cleaning - note my first sentence above.

Thirdly I am having a Wallas heater installed, smaller one as my boat is 29 feet. I just found out I can have a kerosene heater installed instead of diesel. My refitter doesn't want to install any tank over two gallons as he says that amount of diesel, used for heating only, not stove or anything else, will last a long time. He said if I don't use it up, I could end up with sludge in the small tank. He said if I need additional diesel, just bring a small secondary portable tank along, like two gallons.

Then he mentioned kerosene. I know kerosene doesn't age like diesel, doesn't sludge up a tank like diesel. So I'm thinking of using kerosene.

What are your thoughts on this?

If you look at the specifications on this Wallas heater site, you will note it is kerosene:

https://wallas.fi/index.php?id=47
Click to expand...

:banghead: In total I am having a bit of concern to the point. Were the post reduced to: "I'm thinking of using kerosene.

What are your thoughts on this?

If you look at the specifications on this Wallas heater site, you will note it is kerosene:

https://wallas.fi/index.php?id=47[/QUOTE]"


Go for it!:whistling::hide:
 
My Wallas 40DT has been used the last 6 years in moderate climes.... 30 - 60 degrees for about 4 months per year.


I have used a 2.5 Gallon oil tank as a fuel tank.


I have to fill that tank every 2-3 days is so with the heater on anything about 1/2 throttle. So I am not sure why he thinks the fuel will not get used.


I do get enough soot on the thermocouple that I need to clean every month or so if using the low heat setting day after day... kerosene may alliviate that, but I am to lazy and cheap to switch fuels.
 
I would think that kerosene would be cleaner than diesel, I know kerosene is used more in Europe, not as much here. Kind of like Efoy, they use it a lot in Europe, not so much here.
 
I had 800hrs on my Wabasto and it got so dirty and chocked up w soot Sure Marine told me kerosene burns very much more cleanly. It does. I’ve been running it for awhile now and it seems excellent.

Buying kero in small quantities is a bit troublesome and not that cheap. And of course one needs a dedicated fuel supply. I have a sorta day tank tank but it’s only 2.5 gallons.

But overall I like the kero.
 
Diesel is available widely where boats will be used. I recommend a diesel appliance, designed for diesel, and fed diesel. If you don’t intend on using it enough to renew the fuel in the tank regularly, perhaps you do not need the appliance? Would a smaller tank allow you to have your appliance and maintain fresh fuel?

We previously owned a Wallas diesel cooktop with heater blower, with a boat attached. It was fairly trouble free, safe, and it worked as designed. I wish I had one in my current boat.

I will close with this - Scan Marine in Seattle was always very forthright with information, incredibly generous with their time on the phone, and prompt with providing ordered parts. Happy customer, no other affiliation. Give them a call, tell them your mission/intended use, listen to what they say.

Good Luck
 
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If sludgy fuel is a concern, perhaps a propane heater might make sense ?? ( especially if you already have a propane grill )
 
I think when I was shopping for a heater I found that propane heaters consumed too much propane. And then there’s the blow yourself up part.
 
IRENE said:
Diesel is available widely where boats will be used. I recommend a diesel appliance, designed for diesel, and fed diesel. If you don’t intend on using it enough to renew the fuel in the tank regularly, perhaps you do not need the appliance? Would a smaller tank allow you to have your appliance and maintain fresh fuel?

We previously owned a Wallas diesel cooktop with heater blower, with a boat attached. It was fairly trouble free, safe, and it worked as designed. I wish I had one in my current boat.

I will close with this - Scan Marine in Seattle was always very forthright with information, incredibly generous with their time on the phone, and prompt with providing ordered parts. Happy customer, no other affiliation. Give them a call, tell them your mission/intended use, listen to what they say.

Good Luck
Click to expand...

The above bolded is right on the mark.

Call Bruce or Doug at Scan Marine- they own the place and will not steer you wrong.
 
Pau Hana said:
The above bolded is right on the mark.

Call Bruce or Doug at Scan Marine- they own the place and will not steer you wrong.
Click to expand...

Double the complements to Scan Marine. Was able to self install with their assistance. Super folks to deal with.
Al- Wallas DT40
 
I will add my praise for Scan Marine! I am a very happy long term customer.

As far as tank size your installer is full of crap. I would put in a 5-20 gallon permanently mounted tank with a proper fill and vent line. This makes it easy to fll and allows a significant run time.

As far as fuel I have found the Wallas stoves to be reliable using #2 diesel. I have tens of thousands of hours on my three Walas furnaces and have not noted any of the typical issues you see with “coking”, which is a significant symptom of some other brands when operated on #2 diesel.

Prior to the Wallas units I had several Eapar furnaces and every one of them would coke up if I used #2 diesel. Not so with the Wallas stoves.

Thats not to say the Wallas stoves are maintenance free. I have replaced plenty of ignitors and flame sensors over the years, but again I have a lot of hours on my three furnaceses.
 
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One solution is burn #1 diesel (home heating oil) in the stove. Commercial fuel docks usually have #1 because many commercial operators use diesel stoves and have a separate tank for stove diesel.
Some farm/tractor supply companies sell kerosene in bulk.
The biocide/catalyst I add to my fuel (Archoil AR6200) has my diesel stove burning clean and gives a mileage boost.



 
I have historically used boats out of season more than most. And my boat will be used more in cold weather than many boats up here. In fact I do have a Newport P9000 propane heater in the V birth/galley area. But as noted above it can go through propane quickly. I am installing the Wallas to be used while underway. Last late September the boat was decidedly damp clammy cold while I was cruising around in the Desolation and Texada area. And I plan some Alaska excursions and I know it can get colder, especially in the evening and when it is raining for an extended period of time.

Propane is harder to get in some of the coastal areas of BC whereas kerosene is used by many off the grid for lights and some back up heating.
 
rsn48 said:
I have historically used boats out of season more than most. And my boat will be used more in cold weather than many boats up here. In fact I do have a Newport P9000 propane heater in the V birth/galley area. But as noted above it can go through propane quickly. I am installing the Wallas to be used while underway. Last late September the boat was decidedly damp clammy cold while I was cruising around in the Desolation and Texada area. And I plan some Alaska excursions and I know it can get colder, especially in the evening and when it is raining for an extended period of time.



For the reasons above I would stick with diesel. It will be available at every fuel dock. Kerosene you may have to go chasing around town to find.

The ULSD available now and the Bio diesel are cleaner burning than the older diesel so the sooting may not be as big a headache.

I have a Dickinson Pacific and use #2 as that is also the boat fuel. There is noticeably less soot, not none, but noticeably less.

For the heater only you might try the Archoil.
Click to expand...
 
Al said:
:banghead: In total I am having a bit of concern to the point. Were the post reduced to: "I'm thinking of using kerosene.

What are your thoughts on this?

If you look at the specifications on this Wallas heater site, you will note it is kerosene:

https://wallas.fi/index.php?id=47
Click to expand...
"


Go for it!:whistling::hide:[/QUOTE]

I support you that kerosene heaters are good. Fuel consumption is low. I changed a lot of this until I tested the kerosene heater. My love is Heatstar By Enerco HS50K
 
I would go with kerosene and purchase 2 six gallon metal outboard metal fuel tanks .

Kero is cheap at the right fuel stop , and switching outboard style fuel connections is a snap.

Most heater hassles come from getting them lit , kero is far easier and cleaner than diesel.
 
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Well, I finally sent the Wallas 30DT furnace in for service.

I got a call from the techncian at Scan Marine and he told me that I had set a record of 27,000 hours for my furnace.

All those hours were on #2 diesel. :blush:

I can safely say that #2 diesel works just fine in a wallas furnace.
 
I have a Wallas heater and cooktop which both run on #2 with no problems.
 
Change of plans, same idea but different product. I will be installing an Espar heating unit that will not only warm up the boat but work with my hot water tank, apparently the Wallas can not.

I've noted some here are saying diesel works just great with their heating unit, never suggested diesel was an inferior burning product. I just know it can be sludgier than kerosene, if not where are all those fuel polisher guys getting their business?
 
ksanders said:
I got a call from the techncian at Scan Marine and he told me that I had set a record of 27,000 hours for my furnace.

All those hours were on #2 diesel. :blush:

I can safely say that #2 diesel works just fine in a wallas furnace.
Click to expand...

I think we're at 24,000 hours on our 40Dt, so we're catching up with you! And we have been using #2 the entire time as well.

BTW, just fired ours up last night for the first time this season. Other than potentially turning it off for extended Thanksgiving and Christmas trips away from the boat, it will most likely run continuously until next May...
 
Moonfish said:
I think we're at 24,000 hours on our 40Dt, so we're catching up with you! And we have been using #2 the entire time as well.

BTW, just fired ours up last night for the first time this season. Other than potentially turning it off for extended Thanksgiving and Christmas trips away from the boat, it will most likely run continuously until next May...
Click to expand...

I replaced our 40DT with the new Wallas Spartan (the 40 was a bit undersized for our boat). Fired it up yesterday from my phone . :D
 
Pau Hana said:
I replaced our 40DT with the new Wallas Spartan (the 40 was a bit undersized for our boat). Fired it up yesterday from my phone . :D
Click to expand...

Yes, we were eyeing that new model at the Seattle Boat Show last year. Some very cool features. We are tempted... I understand it's a bit quieter and puts out more BTUs. Let us know how your experience is!
 
"I just know it can be sludgier than kerosene,"

The problems seem to be from multiple start cycles. The folks dockside with an in room thermostat that demands 5 or 10 starts per hour can gave problems,

The folks that get underway , fire it off and let it run have almost no hassles.

12v at dock from shore charger vs 14v+ underway is part of the answer.
 
Moonfish said:
I think we're at 24,000 hours on our 40Dt, so we're catching up with you! And we have been using #2 the entire time as well.

BTW, just fired ours up last night for the first time this season. Other than potentially turning it off for extended Thanksgiving and Christmas trips away from the boat, it will most likely run continuously until next May...
Click to expand...

Very cool!!!

I felt sorry for my this one and am installing a new Viking Air as a replacement. This 30DT will become a ready spare as there are three Wallas furnaces on the boat.

Mine run like yours. They get turned on in the fall and run till late April.
 
FF said:
"I just know it can be sludgier than kerosene,"

The problems seem to be from multiple start cycles. The folks dockside with an in room thermostat that demands 5 or 10 starts per hour can gave problems,

The folks that get underway , fire it off and let it run have almost no hassles.

12v at dock from shore charger vs 14v+ underway is part of the answer.
Click to expand...

This is the beauty of the Wallas furnaces. They are not designed to cycle on and off. To keep the boat temperature correct, they adjust the heat output.

Thy are also designed to run on #2 diesel.

The challenge with the Espar units and I’ve had a few of them, is as you indicated start/stop cycles, and fuel. They were designed for truck use as a way to keep truck engines warm without idling the truck engine. In cold weather over the road diesel is mixed for jell point, and is really #1 diesel, or kerosene when the weather gets cold.

My experience is that running #2 diesel in a Espar furnace will cause it to coke up over time. The coke impedes air flow and affects the fuel spray pattern resulting in failure.
 
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