Hi Joel I was looking at a replacement for my Espar last winter and was able to find someone to rebuild/repair my existing system and "fix" some of the problems inherent in the original installation. Too many ducts were installed for the system and none forward of the rear stateroom received adequate heat. This overloaded the system and it was prone to "coking". I did a lot of searching and although the Espar heaters show up on ebay as a "marine" heater, I think the legit installation folks will tell you it's a push by the time you fully "marinize" the truck system. I do agree that by using the existing ducting you will save many problems and cost! Don't be tempted to buy a system that calls for larger duct system as they are designed to only push so much air. Be brutally honest about how you are going to use the system. We lived aboard and used the Espar to warm the boat on cold mornings assisting the dockside electric heaters. Apparently you want these diesel systems to work near their specified performance at all times. They are designed for that, but not to idle along keeping you massively comfortable.
The Espar air and the Webastos are both very nice systems. Sometimes the brand choice relies on the support you receive from the distributor. Mine (3DL) is a monster now with 2 of 4 ducts eliminated. Hope that helps Rick Tacoma, WA Paikea 37+ On Tue, Apr 25, 2017 at 5:43 PM, Andrew Means via CnC-List < cnc-list@cnc-list.com> wrote: > Hey all - > > Does anybody have experience with buying/installing/using a Diesel Air > Heater (a-la Webasto, Eberspacher, Planar) in lieu of a > propane/diesel/solid fuel fireplace-type heater? > > The Safari (1977 C&C 34) currently has an ancient forced-air kerosene > vaporizing heater that has nearly caught itself on fire multiple times when > guests (and less-informed owners) have neglected to read the impossibly > complex startup and shutdown procedure. It’s also battleship grey, weirdly > shaped, and mounted on a bulkhead out in the open. And it takes 25 minutes > to give full heat. > > Originally we were thinking of replacing it with a propane or diesel > fireplace type heater a-lal Dickenson or Sig, but somebody pointed me to > Diesel Air Heaters like Webasto, Eberspaecher and Planar, and they seem > like they could be a great fit. We have plenty of room to mount one in the > engine compartment, we get near instant heat, we already have (some) > ductwork run, and it would run off our existing diesel fuel supply. > > Presently I’m leaning towards the Eberspaecher/Espar Airtronic 12V ( > http://www.heatso.com/eberspacher-airtronic-d2-12v-2-2kw-heater-kit/ > <http://www.ebay.com/itm/EBERSPACHER-AIRTRONIC-M-D4-24v-DIESEL-NIGHT-AIR-HEATER-TRUCK-BOAT-KIT-NEW-/352027242684>) > - it’s nearly half the price of the Webasto models. Planar seems like > another lower cost option, but apparently it’s from Russia and that makes > me nervous. > > Anybody used any of these? Why are Webastos $2700 and the Espars are $800? > > Andrew > > -- > Andrew Means > S.V. Safari - 1977 C&C 34 Mk I > Seattle, WA > > _______________________________________________ > > This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you > wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: > https://www.paypal.me/stumurray > > All Contributions are greatly appreciated! > >
_______________________________________________ This list is supported by the generous donations of our members. If you wish to make a contribution to offset our costs, please go to: https://www.paypal.me/stumurray All Contributions are greatly appreciated!
