Eberspacher heater - what / how to fit?

[Verity]

Hi all

I'd like to fit an Eberspacher heater in my 1971 Type 2 Dormobile. Have been looking into what's on offer and am sorting out a leisure battery at the mo. I'd like to fit the heater myself as I'm told it's fairly straightforward??? and I am confident with wiring etc

However, am in two minds as to whether to fit a diesel or a petrol. Eberspachere suppliers tell me that Diesel is more efficient than petrol and safer. Of course, if I fit a diesel heater, I'll need an extra fuel tank.

Also, I'm planning to fit the heater and auxilliary tank under the bench seat.

So, can anyone tell me:

1) If above is true and I should run a diesel instead of the petrol. Has anyone got this setup?
2) If this setup would be safe considering I'd have a tank under the bench seat...
3) How to best get the exhaust and intake outlets/inlets of the unit integrated
4) Experiences on getting the wiring through to the engine bay to the leisure battery.

Look forward to hearing your comments.

Cheers

[Paedrig]

I think the hardest part would be the filling and venting of the fuel tank since both would need to be to the exterior of the van...otherwise any fuel leakage/spillage within the van will make it reek as well as being a fire hazard.

Are you set on having an Eberspacher heater as against a Propex?

Going from memory the Dormobile layout, pre 75, gives sufficient space for winkling in another gas bottle to feed a Propex in the void under the bench seat with the fresh air side venting through the kickboard and the combustion side through the floor. I put one in a 78 Bay in a side cupboard and partly under the cold box, again the combustion side plumbing going through the floor.

[Verity]

I think the hardest part would be the filling and venting of the fuel tank since both would need to be to the exterior of the van...otherwise any fuel leakage/spillage within the van will make it reek as well as being a fire hazard.

Are you set on having an Eberspacher heater as against a Propex?

Going from memory the Dormobile layout, pre 75, gives sufficient space for winkling in another gas bottle to feed a Propex in the void under the bench seat with the fresh air side venting through the kickboard and the combustion side through the floor. I put one in a 78 Bay in a side cupboard and partly under the cold box, again the combustion side plumbing going through the floor.

Hi, thanks for your thoughts. Yes, good point about the fuel smell / risk and it is a concern. I don't want the van stinking of fuel. Main reason for going for Eberspacher was the reputation, economy and the fact that everyone seems to rate them. I had considered Propex (from Bluebird - Heatsource runs on Propane or Butane) but haven't found out a whole lot about them yet. Concerns with this set up are:

1) condensation?
2) power. Would the propex keep the van as warm. I don't want to be sweating, but it'd need to deliver enough warmth to take me all the year round.
3) fuel consumption. Concerned that a propex would be more expensive to run and hungrier on fuel.


What do you think?

I've already got butane on board for a gas hob.

The van's been converted recently so may not be the original Dormobile layout....but I'm sure I would find room. There's plenty of space under the seat and some cupboard space that isn't being taken up by water bottle and butane gas.

Cheers, Patrick

[Paedrig]

1/ Condensation.... since the primary heat source is in an external loop which exhausts outside the usual by-product of condensation is vented outside also. Any condensation appearing inside the vehicle is that produced by the warming up of any damp clothing or similar.
2/ Power...I've found that mine takes about 15minutes on average to really warm the van through....since I never got around to fitting a thermostat I usually turn it off after half an hour or so otherwise the van gets too warm. Electrical power consumption....beyond saying fit the largest leisure battery you can. These heaters have a safety cut-out if the operating voltage drops too low. Gas consumption... not actually measured it but I carry two 6Kg Calor bottles anyway, one in use one standby. The In Use bottle feeds a manifold which amongst other things has a dedicated isolating tap for the Propex.
Propex by all accounts have an excellent Technical support/Advice line....must admit I've never had to use it but I am aware of it through posts on other forums.....incidentally I believe Propex also sell factory refurbished units as well

[shandy]

I have fitted a Eberspacher D2 heater into a (dirty word) Vito van.

Was easy to do, i dident fit another fuel tank, i decided to cut into the fuel return line, MB recomend this.

The unit has to be vented outside, and pull in the combustion air from outside, so you will have to cut two holes in the van floor (around 22mm).

Easy to regulate temp, just use the stat or temp knob and the unit wil cut out when it reaches temp, then cut back in again like central heating.

Full instructions can be downloaded from eberspachers website

[joanlittle]

I'd like to fit an Eberspacher heater in my 1971 Type 2 Dormobile. Have been looking into what's on offer and am sorting out a leisure battery at the mo. I'd like to fit the heater myself as I'm told it's fairly straightforward??? and I am confident with wiring etc


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[elenahusky]

Hey guys I am new to this post, So I don't have any much idea about this so give me some useful information about this so even I can be the part of this post by posting my reviews over here.

Thanks in advance.