A warm distant glow
Eberspächer heating remote control and new silencer
Eberspächer has launched a brand new noise-reduction pack for its dieselfired central heating systems. Fitted as standard to all new Eberspächer systems, it comprises a fully insulated flexible silenced exhaust, combustion air silencer, silenced fuel system and (where required) sound-deadening rubber mounts for heaters and components. I must admit I’ve never found Eberspächer systems to be particularly loud, but anything that reduces noise both inside and outside of boats, particularly in marinas, has to be a good thing.
However, while certainly laudable, it’s not the most exciting innovation – what is, is Eberspächer’s new remote heater control system. When I were a lad, the iconic Eberspächer control was one of the most gloriously simple devices on the planet. It had one three-way switch (off, fan only and heat) and a dial (the thermostat). Even I could operate one. Options were necessarily limited however – switch it on, switch it off and make it go warmer or cooler was about your lot. Some while later, the company introduced a timer control. Complete with buttons and a digital display, it allowed you to at least set a timer so that you didn’t need to venture out of your warm bunk and pad across a freezing cold saloon to prod the unit into life in the morning. It did, however, look as easy to operate as the timer of a 1990s video recorder (something no one over the age of 20 ever mastered).
Now, Eberspächer has launched itself into the 21stcentury world of apps and mobile devices with a system you can operate remotely from anywhere. The most obvious application is to fire up the central heating half an hour before you arrive at the marina to be greeted by a warm and toasty boat – fantastic! But it also allows you to feed in some warmth from a distance during winter cold snaps. Compatible with IOS, Windows and Android devices as well as laptop computers, it works via an in-built roaming SIM card that requires a £22.50 per year subscription, but that will work anywhere in the world. You can even zone control cabins, so you can heat the saloon but opt for cooler sleeping areas for example, and is backward compatible with most Eberspächer units, meaning that you can still benefit even if you already have a system installed. From £375 including VAT.
www.eberspacher.com
isten carefully. Was that a slight change in the engine note you heard? Could there be a plastic bag blocking your raw water strainers or a stray length of rope wrapped around your props? Unless you can hear it, you may not know it’s happened until the damage is done.
This is just one of the many reasons why boaters rely on their hearing, whether that’s listening out for problems before they occur, enabling clear communication with your crew or simply enjoying the sound of water lapping against the hull in a secluded anchorage.
Unfortunately, many boat owners also suffer from hearing loss, either due to the natural ageing process or from repeated exposure to loud noises at work or leisure. Ironically, the very pastime we love most may even have contributed to the problem, especially if you started your boating career with a two-stroke outboard screaming in your ears or an old diesel engine rattling the teeth in your head.
The important thing is not to suffer in silence. In the same way that poor eyesight can easily be rectified with made-to-measure spectacles or contact lenses, partial hearing loss can be fixed with the correct hearing aid. The new generation of high-tech hearing aids are smaller, smarter and more discreet than ever before, allowing you to hear every type of sound with absolute clarity.
The latest Unique 440 range of hearing aids from Danish manufacturer Widex is particularly well suited to the marine environment. Not only does it feature the most advanced digital technology to reduce unwanted wind noise when powering across the sea at 25 knots, but it also recognises the external soundscape and automatically adjusts to one of nine pre-set programmes so you can hear soft sounds just as clearly as loud ones. You can even link it to your smartphone so you can stream phone calls and music direct to your earpiece.
bloom™ hearing specialists understand that hearing well is vital to enjoying life’s pleasures. Their aim is to find the right solution for everyone by helping to choose the best possible hearing aid for your needs. That process starts with a free assessment, either in one of their many branches or at your own home, followed by a two-week no-obligation trial. If you chose to keep hold of it, they’re so confident you’ll be happy that they also offer a 60-day money-back guarantee as well. So make an appointment with bloom™ hearing specialists today and once again enjoy the sweet sound of your boat cruising through calm seas.