Coolant Heaters powered by diesel fuel

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

We use the Espar Airtronic D2 just for heating the sleeper, we have quite a few running with a lot of hours - they work fantastic and are easy to diagnose and repair. I would think the Hydronic versions aren't too much different.

 

[Jihn]

Thank-you very much for the help, I will save over $200.00 buy taking the advice and not buying a fancy control.
That same money will go for installation which helps me out a whole lot, and I may take you up on the help Ozy, I will post which one I buy (probably the Espar) and a china made remote, and if I can I'll see about pictures if the install is good.

Jihn

 

[Ozymandias]

Thank-you very much for the help, I will save over $200.00 buy taking the advice and not buying a fancy control.
That same money will go for installation which helps me out a whole lot, and I may take you up on the help Ozy, I will post which one I buy (probably the Espar) and a china made remote, and if I can I'll see about pictures if the install is good.

Jihn

Thats fine, like @mwilson said, ESPAR has an install manual for your specific vehicle and an install kit, so the heater itself is an easy install.
And the Remote are just 3 wires to connect, I'll guide you then.

 

[Ozymandias]

I found your part# from ESPAR >25 2800 10 05 35< Kit for Ram 6.7 2008. Its the D5, the same as me.
All included.

 

[slowmover]

Known to one and all as “bunk heaters” diesel-fired warmth has transformed what it is to be a truck driver: no more year-round idling of the main engine. A quiet, non-vibrating truck is a pleasure to come awake in.

Mine is mounted under the double-bed on the street side behind a panel. (Open the side box, there it is. Or lift the bed). The controls are on the wall above and easily accessed. Set temp, wait a few minutes, and the level of warmth you want.

Got a new bag from Wiggys this year. Found the overbag and bivy bag at a Colorado surplus house, pretty much unused. Keep them in the stuff bags. (Yeah, I really like Lamilite). What conditions encountered, whether the main engine will work, if power is lost to the bunk heater . . . the range of adaptations to cold is now that much greater.

This 2019 Peterbilt 579 EPIQ is also fitted with Smart Aire, battery-powered AC system. Triple-thick curtains to the sleeper from the cab, extra insulation in walks and floors, all work well. The second benefit is sound isolation. (I’m told — but haven’t verified — that SA is a $25k option).

If a grimy old reefer unit kicks on in the adjacent parking space, I can use Smart Aire as white noise to cover most of the problem.

The truck also features as part of these systems an Automatic Engine Start. With both an Engine and separate House set of batteries (different types) I can monitor both banks from the drivers seat. There WILL come a point 10-12 hours onwards with AC use under ambient 100F where discharge produces a start and around 1.5-2.0 hours of Mains run-time at 950-rpm to bring percentages back above 95%.

Insulation. Bedding. Curtains. Controls. Monitors. Keep them all in mind. (I’ve added custom-fit reflective insulated window shades. Blackout. After years of using REFLECTIX).

(To run the Main overnight with $3/gal diesel is $40-$50. I’m out of the truck maybe 3-nights/month, so that’s easily $1,000 of fuel each month to keep the truck interior safe & comfortable).

This is by far the heaviest tractor I’ve been assigned (13L Paccar with Paccar 12-AMT. Love it. Shifting is for the Third World). Its outfitted like a Cadillac. Drop & Hook operation. 20,400-lbs with max fuel — 220/gals — and driver plus his gear (most of that 400#). This isn’t commodity bulk hauling that I got out of. Those tractors rarely hit 19k. Trailers also lighter. TARE at 27-28k. Here, with 53’ dry box it’s 34,000.

So, while I may not load 48k plus, I can still sneak just above 45k (most loads are less; some are half or less). The Steer Axle has a heavy enough rating I can snug that box closer than the magic 30” gap.

And unlike those tankers, I’m not running 1,100-rpm to load or unload for several hours per trip. Thus, no more trip planning at 5-mpg.

I have TO WORK AT IT to get my average below 8-mpg. Instead of fueling daily, it’s every few days. No worries, and my choice of location. 1,400-miles usually, and stretch to 1,800 if need be.

First trip as a new hire I stretched the range to a hair shy of 2,000 miles. A wind change in the Texas Panhandle changed the desire to top 2k on a refill (still took on 221-gallons that day). There’ve been loads of 30k or more where I stay in double digits. Think on that as I round your lumbering 4WD Fiver combo where my Load is greater than your Gross . . . at the same mpg (Detroit continues to **** you). (“Language Rules”, ha! From guys who go out in public in their underwear with tattoos and Crocs. Right).

Boys, this has been long. But it was to impress you with HAVING THE SAME FUEL AVAILABLE when I shut down as now when I’m getting ready to leave. My whole day can be different with having to work in a fuel stop.

Them little bunkie heaters just use a few tablespoons overnight.

(Now the important part: Run the heater EVERY MONTH for 15-20/minutes. Not appealing in 105F Texas. But necessary).

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