Diesel Heaters (1 Viewer)

durhamahoy

Free Member
Jun 11, 2012
241
116
Durham
Funster No
21,434
MH
A class
Exp
Since 2011
Hi,
Have any funsters had experience of diesel heaters?
Are they good at the job? what is the cost of running these?
Any major problems encountered?

Sorry for all the questions, should ask the dealer but prefer to get feedback from funsters who have lived with them.

Cheers
Steve
 

greygit

Free Member
Aug 11, 2009
273
225
Forest of Dean, Glos, France and Spain
Funster No
7,922
MH
C Class
Exp
22
Hi,
Have any funsters had experience of diesel heaters?
Are they good at the job? what is the cost of running these?
Any major problems encountered?

Sorry for all the questions, should ask the dealer but prefer to get feedback from funsters who have lived with them.

Cheers
Steve

Yes but not good I'm afraid, we bought a new van last year and had lots of problems with it so the dealer had it back and fixed everything under warranty then two days later the diesel heater packed up and the dealer said they were not capable of repairing it and it would have to be taken to a specialist 70 miles from us. That was the final straw we got rid of that van and went back to a Rapido with gas /electric heating.
I should also say that we found the diesel heater very noisy ! :Sad:
 

Snowbird

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 24, 2009
11,818
22,345
Liverpool.
Funster No
6,422
MH
Fifth wheel.
Exp
Since 11-05-2000
If you want HEAT then you want an Aberspacher. I have had them in trucks for years and have one in my camper. Cheap to run and give out loads of heat. They can be a bit noisy outside the van, but if its cold enough outside to have a Aberspacher switch on inside, does it matter. A great bit of kit and a must for winter van users.

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Nov 30, 2009
6,543
148,326
Pickering
Funster No
9,521
MH
PVC the PUG
Exp
Since 2009 with motorhomes several caravans then tents before that.
We wouldn't be without our Webasto. It's not noisy , it's cheap , and it's very warm. No cold spots in our motorhome even in the depths of winter. The whole vehicle can be warm when you drive , if you want. Not just the cab. Ours isn't a dual top. It's the other version.
When you turn it off it continues going and you can hear it then , but that's it servicing itself , I'm told. Also you hear the fan on start up , then it's silent. You can hear a ticking noise outside , but it's not loud .
We didn't know , when we bought the van , how good it would be. But compared to the gas Truma ? Heaters we've had in caravans, no comparison at all.....
When we eventually downsize to our PVC before we retire, we shall make sure we have diesel heating again. Until then we shall keep the first motorhome we have bought, because luckily for us , we got it right 1st time. :thumb:
It ticks all our boxes.
Unless we have unforeseen circumstances :whatthe: we shall have our mizzi a long time.
 

duane0001

Free Member
Jan 18, 2013
792
778
East Coast, North Yorks
Funster No
24,332
MH
Expedition 67 soon!
Exp
2021 This time
I too have a webasto in my van, I would never heat my van with gas as its too expensive, if you are using your diesel for heating your gas bottles can last months :thumb:
As for diesel usage, I use about a litre per night, my webasto uses 0.08 litres per hour, and this is only when actually heating, they have thermo stats so they aren't running diesel through all the time
 
Mar 3, 2013
1,477
6,077
Poole
Funster No
24,937
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
2002
We have an Eberspacher diesel heater, it is fantastic. Turn up high to start, yes a little bit noisy but then turn it down to maintain the right heat and you don't notice it. Very effective. Haven't worked out the costs as yet.

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duane0001

Free Member
Jan 18, 2013
792
778
East Coast, North Yorks
Funster No
24,332
MH
Expedition 67 soon!
Exp
2021 This time
Air Top 2000 ST
Heating power (kW) 0,9 – 2,0
Fuel Diesel
Fuel consumption (l/h) 0.13 - 0.27
Rated voltage (V) 12
Operating voltage range (V) 10 - 15
Rated power consumption (W) 14 - 29
Dimensions L x W x H (mm) 311 x 120 x 121
Weight (kg) 2.6
 

Terry

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 27, 2007
11,904
8,969
Lincolnshire
Funster No
1,075
MH
A class
Exp
Can't remember ;)
Have had a couple of eberspacher and was very happy with them running costs minamal,noise as already been said by others :winky:Presently got a gas truma e2400 blown air heater and quite happy with that as well.Also had a propex which is not as good the Truma did it's job and keept us warm ::bigsmile:Noise does not really bother me while I am asleep so no problems there :Smile:When on hook up we have a thermostacicaly controled fan heater that compaired to all the above IS noisey but I take heart that I hear it switch on and off ::bigsmile:When I don't hear it may be the time to worry or not as the case may be ::bigsmile:
terry
 
Sep 16, 2013
4
0
Devon
Funster No
28,135
MH
A Class
Exp
Since 1994
Not sure if i should post a new thread for this but I have an Eberspacher Hydronic D5WS fitted as original equipment on a Mercedes Rapido. It warms up the Alde heating in the van really quickly via a heat exchanger. Not sure how economical it is yet but the only problem is that it only works when the engine is running. (difficult to tell how noisy....) Does anybody know if it is possible to re-configure this to run without the engine? Thanks

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pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,206
48,801
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Not sure if i should post a new thread for this but I have an Eberspacher Hydronic D5WS fitted as original equipment on a Mercedes Rapido. It warms up the Alde heating in the van really quickly via a heat exchanger. Not sure how economical it is yet but the only problem is that it only works when the engine is running. (difficult to tell how noisy....) Does anybody know if it is possible to re-configure this to run without the engine? Thanks

should be possible with a decent sized battery Alan.

running current is just over 3 amps (37 watts)
startup current is just under 10amps (110 watts)
water pump current is 1.25amps (16 watts)....but is included in the running current

probably no more or even less than running a conventional blown air system.

google these words exactly..... Eberspacher Hydronic D5WS specifications

click on the first result, download the PDF and scroll to page 13...Technical data for diesel heaters

gives all current and voltage data.

why it has been connected to the engine electrics is a mystery unless the installer connected to the fridge supply.
 

Snowbird

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 24, 2009
11,818
22,345
Liverpool.
Funster No
6,422
MH
Fifth wheel.
Exp
Since 11-05-2000
Strangely my Eberspacher is connected to the engine battery and will only go through the startup program if the engine is running or if on hookup. Once the startup program is complete I can switch off the engine and it runs fine.

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jonandshell

Free Member
Dec 12, 2010
5,476
8,299
Norfolk
Funster No
14,648
MH
Not got one!
Exp
Since 2006
We'll never go back to gas.

Ours is a Webasto Dualtop. Hot water and van, even on the move. No worries about exchanging gas bottles or looking for autogas.
Good batteries are a must for off-hookup use though, as with any blown air heating.:thumb:
 

mikebeaches

LIFE MEMBER
Feb 22, 2010
5,346
8,469
Bristol
Funster No
10,377
MH
Rapido V68 Van Conversion
Exp
Since 2009
We have an Eberspacher diesel heater, it is fantastic. Turn up high to start, yes a little bit noisy but then turn it down to maintain the right heat and you don't notice it. Very effective. Haven't worked out the costs as yet.

Our experience pretty much reflects the above. And whilst we have not properly calculated the running costs, we feel it's pretty economical. Never notice the diesel going down in the tank as a result of having used the heater.

One point we have to remember, however, and I'm not sure if others are the same - apparently, we need to have at least a quarter of a tank of fuel or otherwise it will not operate. Designed to avoid the risk of running the diesel dry and not being able to start the van.

One other thing, we notice the lights flicker somewhat whilst the heater is 'firing up' - no doubt due to the heavy current drain. Perfectly, OK once up and running. Guess you need plenty of umph in the leisure battery, or alternatively run the engine to get the heater started, although we've never needed to do that.

And as mentioned by others, our gas lasts for ages and ages as we're not using it for space heating. :thumb:

Mike
 

jonandshell

Free Member
Dec 12, 2010
5,476
8,299
Norfolk
Funster No
14,648
MH
Not got one!
Exp
Since 2006
Our experience pretty much reflects the above. And whilst we have not properly calculated the running costs, we feel it's pretty economical. Never notice the diesel going down in the tank as a result of having used the heater.

One point we have to remember, however, and I'm not sure if others are the same - apparently, we need to have at least a quarter of a tank of fuel or otherwise it will not operate. Designed to avoid the risk of running the diesel dry and not being able to start the van.

One other thing, we notice the lights flicker somewhat whilst the heater is 'firing up' - no doubt due to the heavy current drain. Perfectly, OK once up and running. Guess you need plenty of umph in the leisure battery, or alternatively run the engine to get the heater started, although we've never needed to do that.

And as mentioned by others, our gas lasts for ages and ages as we're not using it for space heating. :thumb:

Mike

It might be worth rewiring the supply to your heater to stop the flickering lights.
On ours, the entire left side of the van used a single neg connection. This continually eroded and loosened due to the excess current.
A new supply, directly from the battery connection at the CBE panel, got rid of the flickering.
This has been the case on at least one other Chausson I know of. A low voltage heater fault can occur because of this too.

Hope this helps.:thumb:
 

FULL TIMER

Free Member
May 31, 2012
795
717
NORWICH
Funster No
21,259
MH
SELF BUILT IVECO 75E17
Exp
BEEN BUILDING THEM FOR 32 years
my main experience of the various diesel heaters is Eberspacher airtronics D2 / D4 models as fitted loads of them in the patient transport vehicles we built for East of England NHS, they are very economical in use but must be wired up correctly ( as in wire sizes) to prevent voltage drop. Most people say they are noisy but this can be drastically reduced with the use of an exhaust silencer, for an even quieter heater the best improvement is to put a silencer on the combustion air inlet pipe as well http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Eberspach...-Combustion-Air-Intake-Silencer-/290858854094
Link Removed

have also used webasto in the past also very good, and Mikuni MY30's again very good,
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,206
48,801
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Our experience pretty much reflects the above. And whilst we have not properly calculated the running costs, we feel it's pretty economical. Never notice the diesel going down in the tank as a result of having used the heater.

One point we have to remember, however, and I'm not sure if others are the same - apparently, we need to have at least a quarter of a tank of fuel or otherwise it will not operate. Designed to avoid the risk of running the diesel dry and not being able to start the van.

One other thing, we notice the lights flicker somewhat whilst the heater is 'firing up' - no doubt due to the heavy current drain. Perfectly, OK once up and running. Guess you need plenty of umph in the leisure battery, or alternatively run the engine to get the heater started, although we've never needed to do that.

And as mentioned by others, our gas lasts for ages and ages as we're not using it for space heating. :thumb:

Mike

5kw = 0.62ltrs/hr

2.4kw = 0.27ltrs/hr

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FULL TIMER

Free Member
May 31, 2012
795
717
NORWICH
Funster No
21,259
MH
SELF BUILT IVECO 75E17
Exp
BEEN BUILDING THEM FOR 32 years
Eberspacher D2 = 2.2 KW = Fuel Consumption average 0.15 L/Hr
D4 = 4.0 KW = Fuel Consumption average 0.25 L/Hr
D5 = Heat Output: 1600 / 2700 / 4800 / 5500 Watt
0.20 / 0.34 / 0.58 / 0.66 l/hour
 

Ed Excel

Free Member
Nov 27, 2012
870
547
Ribble Valley
Funster No
23,815
MH
Coach built
Exp
Started 2007
I'm a Webasto fan. Very economical heater. Very efficient. Only noisy if you stand outside in the cold??? And that's just during the start-up period when its achieving thermostat setting. Once it's done that it's silent.
 

daisy mae

Free Member
Mar 12, 2013
675
597
Leicestershire
Funster No
25,079
MH
C class Coachbuilt
Exp
I`m a newbie, now 1 year
I had an Eberspacher in my Topaz, very effeficient, soon had to turn it down as it was too warm, was advised , when first switching on to do so when the engine was running, , as the fan takes a lot out of the leisure battery. changed MH yesterday so now have the gas/electric heater.

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Jan 19, 2012
628
612
Leicester
Funster No
19,488
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2012
+1 for diesel. nothing much to add to other positive comments, except that it meant we only used one 6kg gas bottle all last year. And we do a lot of cooking in van.
 

Snowbird

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 24, 2009
11,818
22,345
Liverpool.
Funster No
6,422
MH
Fifth wheel.
Exp
Since 11-05-2000
+1 for diesel. nothing much to add to other positive comments, except that it meant we only used one 6kg gas bottle all last year. And we do a lot of cooking in van.

Yep, and forget all that running around for foreign gas bottles and regulators.
 
Aug 30, 2012
4,270
11,303
Home of the war horse
Funster No
22,676
MH
burstnar T640
Exp
2010
suggestions please

I have thought of adding a diesel heater as a back up to gas
Suggestions please for a small economic model easy to fit

You expert opinions are needed and appreciated:thumb:

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Organplayer

Free Member
Dec 11, 2011
110
38
Berkshire
Funster No
19,164
MH
C class
Exp
Sept. 1995
Organplayer

Our previous three m/hmes had dsl heaters, 2 Eberspacher and 1 Webasto. Our present van came with Truma gas/elec heating and being a devotee of dsl heating, had a Webasto Air Top unit fitted by Vanbitz. This might seem a bit over the top, but can"t abide being cold and this Webasto really heats the van up far quicker than the Truma set up. Also no worries on using the gas when we are "off this island". The Webasto is very much quieter than the Eberspacher, which in our previous vans also heated the water, whereas the Webasto we have now does not. However the issue of heating the water by dsl heater was of no concern to us. To ensure that we have power when off elec h/up, we have also had a Sterling Battery to Battery charger installed, again by Vanbitz. There are three models of the Webasto Air Top available and we opted for the middle one. Hope this is of info is of use to you
 

Don Quixote

Free Member
Jul 29, 2012
2,966
5,257
Lost in La Mancha, Spain
Funster No
22,171
MH
VW T6 Campervan
Exp
Not long enough, but a little common sense helps..........
Well living in Spain we don't have much call for a heater, however in Mar/Apr this year we where back in UK and off EHU at 2 "funister" meets and used the Webasto heater for real........ All I can say is first class system and warm as toast. Fuel wise hardly noticed and battery wise big drain when starting up after that no problems.
 

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