Eberspacher Diesel Heater

[N&K]

Hi
I am thinking about purchasing a EBERSPACHER DIESEL HEATER. Has anyone retro-fitted one of these themselves or know roughly how much it might be to get one fitted to a motorhome?

Thanks

N&K

 

[Thepips]

I've never fitted one to a motorhome myself but I did fit one of their warm air systems to my boat. They're very simple to fit and wire up. You'll need to sort out a diesel feed but run it from a seperate tank and you can use red diesel. The biggest issue I think you're going to have to sort out is running the 4 inch diameter pipes. It can be a very time consuming task. It took use 3 days to run the pipes in a 30 foot power boat. Although they can be mounted inside and have the exhaust run outside I'd still sleep happier if the heater was mounted in an external locker!

Regards
Doug

 

[Bulletguy]

Hi
I am thinking about purchasing a EBERSPACHER DIESEL HEATER. Has anyone retro-fitted one of these themselves or know roughly how much it might be to get one fitted to a motorhome?

Thanks

N&K

I have one in my Campervan which had been fitted by the previous owner, so no idea of fitting cost. Contact a local diesel specialist as it's not really a garage mechanic job.

These heaters don't come cheap and personally i would rather trust the fitting to a specialist than a 'diy' job. Get something wrong and you could easily be falling asleep with a van full of fumes.

For the record, i was quoted £100 just for a basic service. But they are very efficient heaters and i've never had mine on maximum temp....it gets far too hot in the van! You will not be disappointed with your purchase!

 

[N&K]

Eberspacher Dealers

Hi
Thanks for the responses. Our motorhome already has the vent pipes integrated in but currently connected to a gas heater, i wanted to switch to this heater so that I can leave it running overnight for minimal cost (0.1 litre diesel per hour) and not have to worry about changing gas bottles abroad (in winter)

http://www.eberspacher.com/downloads/dealers/jn98_heating_dealers.pdf

I have called around a few of these places and their knowledge seemed to vary some what. The best place so far is Krueger Portsmouth, I was on the phone for 20 mins, very detailed discussion.

No suprise, but some places wont install second hand kits as the history isnt known. Also the fuel pump required depends largely on your vehicle and installing the wrong pump could limit its life. As you mentioned its the exhaust that is the issue, this can reach 200C apparently and if not fitted properly could be the end of your motorhome.

I do like to do DIY but I might draw the line on installing one of these due to fumes and fire risk

cheers

N&K

 

[Bulletguy]

No suprise, but some places wont install second hand kits as the history isnt known......

Actually it does surprise me!

There would be no warranty anyway as its second hand, but that has nothing to do with the fitting of it.

Buy a second hand gas fire and any Corgi reg plumber will fit it. Infact by law you would not be allowed to 'diy' a gas fire in a house unless finally checked by a Corgi reg. guy.

Seems to me like your diesel specialists are making so much money they can afford to turn jobs away!

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[ingram]

They're very simple to fit and wire up. You'll need to sort out a diesel feed but run it from a seperate tank and you can use red diesel.
Doug

From what I have read recently, this may be problematic. As I understand it, 'red' diesel is now heating oil which is 28 second burning as opposed to 'road' diesel being 35 second. I have read of people ( boat owners mainly) having problems with their Eberspachers sooting up using the 'red' that is available at the boat pumps and being advised by Eberspacher to use 'road' diesel.

I cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy of what I have written here, but if one is considering fitting a separate tank and using 'red', as I was, some research beforehand would be a good idea.

Harvey

 

[Thepips]

From what I have read recently, this may be problematic. As I understand it, 'red' diesel is now heating oil which is 28 second burning as opposed to 'road' diesel being 35 second. I have read of people ( boat owners mainly) having problems with their Eberspachers sooting up using the 'red' that is available at the boat pumps and being advised by Eberspacher to use 'road' diesel.

I cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy of what I have written here, but if one is considering fitting a separate tank and using 'red', as I was, some research beforehand would be a good idea.

Harvey

Hi Harvey,
That's an interesting point. I wonder, would the lower cost of the fuel offset the possible cost of decoking the Eberspacher! I needed to clean the glowplug a couple of times when the heating exhaust started to get visible.

Regards
Doug

 

[Sledgehammer]

Just to add onto this thread rather than start another just for a couple of quick questions, is it okay with an Eberspacher heater (eg, a 2kW model) to have several ducts running from it to different areas of the motorhome (maybe shower/toilet, cab and rear), or do you have to use just one duct?

I expect there would be quite a bit of heat loss on longer ducts if not insulated, so can smaller diameter ducts be substituted for the longer lengths to mitigate losses and create a higher air flow?

Also, if the ducts happened to be closed and someone started the heater, is there a thermal safety switch, or is it likely to start melting ducts etc?

Thanks very much,

Mike