Diesel Fired Heaters

[Bellon]

Its beginning to get that time of the year again, so I thought I would post a thread about my favorite aftermarket device.



Last winter I installed a Webasto diesel fired cab heater on my 2003.



It works GREAT.



The unit comes with an on-dash control unit, so that you can either manually engage the heater, or set it on a timer (three different timer settings). So, if you always leave for work at 6:30am, set the timer to start at 6am. By the time you get out to your truck, it is warmed up.



You can also use the unit as an auxiliary heating system. With my normal drive to work, just about the time I arrive at work my coolant temp would be 180F. But with the heater on, I get about a third of the way to work, and I'm at 180F.



My in-laws live in WI. While visiting them last winter, I had the opportunity to test the system. I ran 12 different tests, with an average starting coolant temperature of 28F. After 30minutes, my coolant temp was over 100F, and the cab was warm.



The unit puts 17,000btus of heat into the cooling system, right before the cab heat exchanger.



The best thing about this, it hardly uses any fuel. That's why Webasto calls it their "Blue Heat" product.



Check it out at www.webasto.us



If you really want the bells and whistles, you can even get the remote start option. Sitting at my desk in the evening, about 30minutes before I leave, I turn the unit on remotely.



Really cool.



Worth every $$.



The graph that I have attached below, shows the Webasto heater data. The horizontal axis is in time. The graph goes from 0 minutes to 60 minutes (sorry I cut off the bottom making the bmp file).

 

[TBrennan]

Just finishing up my install of an Espar coolant heater. It sounds identical to the Webasto unit complete with 3 timer settings on the in cab 7 day timer control. My only concern is battery drainage with this thing and the in cab fan going on a sub zero morning. I'd like to add a third battery just for this thing but finding space under the hood for a third battery is almost impossible.

 

[Slow Six]

Your batteries will be just fine. I am on my second Espar in as many trucks and I have not had much for battery problems except after two weeks of steady use and very short trips. I was also using the heater to keep the truck warm while we were shopping. If your batteries are in good shape and your

espar use is normal you will be good to go. I also turn the cab heater fan speed to a lower setting as this puts less drain on the battery and still warms the cab. Sub zero temperatures up here are often in the minus 30 t0 40 range which put a strain on things.

 

[Bellon]

When I had mine installed, they were clear about the fact that if you used it for an extended period without the engine running, that you should have a trip of at least 30 minutes (to allow the alternator time to re-charge the battery).



I haven't had any problem keeping to this rule.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

All I need is the bracket to hold my Espar on and I'm ready to go. Can't wait. As for batteries I'm installing a second set on the frame rail to power my aux items. Lights, winch, air compressor, inverter ect. So I'll never have to worry about killing the starter batts.

 

[TBrennan]

Cummins Pilot,



A good place to mount the Espar is under the air box. There is a ledge with a hole in it that is part of the body. I made a "L" shaped bracket that uses that stock hole and holds the Espar unit. I have it all installed and didn't drill a single hole (except for two clamps that hold the coolant lines at a bracket at the passenger side battery). If you have a simple MIG welder and a little patience you can make a nice install.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

A good place to mount the Espar is under the air box.

Maybe on a 3rd Gen, but not on a 2nd Gen...



Matt

 

[TBrennan]

HoleshotHolset,



Espar makes a complete kit including mounting bracket specifically for a 2nd gen Dodge. It mounts directly to the frame rail under the engine. Why not use that?

 

[HoleshotHolset]

(I responded in the other thread as well... )



They don't make a bracket for the model I have...



Besides, I don't want to mount it to the frame rail... or anywhere else where it can get damaged from road salt.



Matt

 

[TBrennan]

You have a '94 right? I thought their bracket worked on all 2nd gens. If the bracket was available I'd start with that and then weld some more panels on to close it up if your worried about road salt and such.



I never really looked under the hood of a 2nd gen CTD much but I'm sure you could find somwhere under the hood. With the noise and fumes, I wouldn't dream of putting it in the cab. Another point of consideration is that they recommend you install it lower than any other point in your coolant cicrcuit. Don't know how critical that is for it's proper operation though. Mine is about at the bottom of the engine block.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

The air box area was thought of, but I have a modified airbox so thats no longer an option. I would like to keep the lines as short as possible.

 

[Slow Six]

I have the AFE air box and this location still works. There is quite a bit of room under there.

 

[DLausche]

Espar & interior heat

So, do I understand correctly that these heaters also power the interior heater fan (via relay?) in order to heat the interior? Does this provide heat on the defrost setting only because there is no vacuum to operate the heater duct servos? I guess it's not a big deal and probably is the best way to clear the window if it defaults to defrost setting.



-Deon

 

[Bellon]

My heater does control the interior fan. And depending on the selection at key-off (defrost, feet, main vent), the hot air will come flowing out (as if the fan is at the second setting). If you look at the graph above, you will see the dark blue line is my cab heat.

 

[rover]

Hello:



I am enquiring as I write this about pricing in my S. New Hampshire area for installation on my 2005 Dodge RAM 2500 Cummins. Could you give me an idea of the price for this (installed or not). Any things you would do differently, etc. Thanks for taking the time to share with all of us the information you compiled. I have the remote start on my Dodge and after two trips to the dealer (it keeps stopping the motor after 20 to 30 seconds) I am looking for a different alternative

such as the one you describe. How come you went with the Webasto as opposed to

the Espar unit?



rover

 

[Cummins Pilot]

TBrennan,



I was told from the distributor that Espar no longer makes the engine bracket. Wether this is true or not I'm not sure. I ended up moving the pass battery to the drivers side and mounted the unit there. I should have the project completed by Sat night.



The good part of where I mounted it is that I can work on the Espar if I need to really easily. My buddies has a leak and its a royal PITA to get to on the engine.

 

[nickleinonen]

i'd like to add a third battery just for this thing but finding space under the hood for a third battery is almost impossible.

just remote mount it. that is what i will do when i get/install a espar/webasto preheater. i will remote mount a optima type battery somewhere under the truck [probably where the spare tire use to be] and eventually maybe relocate my factory batteries to where the spare tire was and have like 2-3 optima group 71 [i think they are 71's, maybe they are 31's the big optima with the 3/8" stud for battery connection]

 

[JBlock]

Which model did you purchase, Big trucks etc.



thanks joe