I've purchased a DBW-2010 Wabasto hydronic boiler and now the fun begins.
I've got the exhaust system worked out but plumbing to the radiators and
blowers is the next step.  I'm considering hePex rather than heater hose.
I've not worked with hePex but from what I read, it's great.  Obviously it
doesn't have the flexibility of heater hose for going around corners, etc.
Comments/suggestions?

Marty Owen
40' Universal
Kodiak, AK

Marty,

I have the Webasto DBW-2015 plumbed with Pex tubing.  There is more bend to
the tubing than you would think.
I prefer it to heater hose for two reasons, I believe it to be more durable
and you can see fluid movement thru the lines.
You will need to use fittings for tight turns.  Make sure to assemble a
manifold with ball valves to and from each radiator
Location, so you can adjust the flow and isolate a leak without shutting
down the entire system.  I've never had a leak but
It's comforting to know that a station can be isolated particularly in the
Pacific NW.

Dave Harris
Selene 48 "PenmansShip"
Bellingham, WA

I've purchased a DBW-2010 Wabasto hydronic boiler and now the fun begins.
I've got the exhaust system worked out but plumbing to the radiators and
blowers is the next step.  I'm considering hePex rather than heater hose.
I've not worked with hePex but from what I read, it's great.  Obviously it
doesn't have the flexibility of heater hose for going around corners, etc.
Comments/suggestions?

Marty Owen
40' Universal
Kodiak, AK

<<I've purchased a DBW-2010 Wabasto hydronic boiler and now the fun begins.
I've got the exhaust system worked out but plumbing to the radiators and
blowers is the next step.  I'm considering hePex rather than heater hose.
I've not worked with hePex but from what I read, it's great.  Obviously it
doesn't have the flexibility of heater hose for going around corners, etc.
Comments/suggestions?>>

Marty,

First, did you buy your system from Sure Marine in Seattle?  If so, they are
very good about providing great advise and help.  About 5 years ago I
installed a 2010 in my boat using Pex tubing.  I decided on Pex because on
previous installations using the rubber hose I always had a unpleasant rubber
smell for a year or so after install.  The smell did go away but Pex tubing
did not have this bad smell problem.  I would estimate that my installation
time probably doubled using Pex and I still had to use some rubber hose where
it would have been impossible for Pex to make a bunch of difficult bends.

I recall that Sure Marine recommends a minimum number of 90 degree bends in
each loop so keep that in mind.  I believe my installation was at or over the
max number but I had no problems.  I think the big problem you may have in
Kodiak, is having access to a supply of all the different fittings that will
be needed.  I did my installation just down the street from Sure Marine at
Shilshole Bay Marina and I was always making a trip to the store to get
something I hadn't thought about the last time I was at their store.

You will also need the special crimping tool for Pex.  Sure Marine lent me
theirs but you will probably have to buy one.  The tool I had did not have any
mechanical advantage so it took all the strength this old man could muster at
times to make a crimp.

Good luck and I loved that Wabasto 2010 heater for the time I owned the boat.

Ron Nelson
Port Orchard, WA