Espar Heaters!

[moon]

Anyone using the Espar Diesel fired heaters on the Ram Diesels,Espar makes a unit that fits the Ram just like the one they use in semis.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I am going on the 3rd winter with my Espar. It has worked flawlessly. No complaints.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

WHEATIES!!!!!!!

 

[Wheaties]

Yes, I have an Espar too. They are wonderful, come in a very complete kit, sip about a cup of fuel an hour, will warm the engine's head to about 130 degrees, and warm the cabin enough to drive you right out (if you let it). Your SO will love your truck even more than she already does when you take her shopping--something about returning from the mall in a vehicle that has kept itself warm really turns women on.



My personally favorite moment is walking out of work into an ice glazed parking lot and watching others scrape their windows while steam comes off mine. I'm thinking I need to hang a Pentangle or some other evil talisman off the rear view mirror to help explain my truck's demonic possession.



They aren't cheap, they are a bear to install, but they are worth it!



Matt

 

[HC]

Those with manual transmissions should also consider "the poor man's ESPAR" - an exhaust brake.



It won't pre-warm your truck, but it will allow it to warm up very quickly once started, and keep it warm during extended idling. I suspect it causes you to burn more fuel than an ESPAR would use for the same amount of heat. On the plus side, the exhaust brake is an "all year long" feature that saves you on brake repairs.



If money is not an issue for you, having BOTH would be the way to go!

 

[nickleinonen]

webasto also makes small engine preheaters. not a complete kit, but with some custom plumbing, it will work well too...



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http://www.webasto-thermo.com/

 

[Turbo Horseman]

How about Proheat? Anyone tried their product?

 

[illflem]

I checked out Proheat a couple of years ago, their stuff is way too big for our trucks http://www.proheat.com/



Pretty much decided if I ever had the need I'd go with a Webasto, most popular in the world and cheaper than an Espar.

 

[98rammer]

Originally posted by Wheaties

something about returning from the mall in a vehicle that has kept itself warm really turns women on.

Oh?? I'll keep that in mind...

 

[SOOT]

Wabasto's are a really good product. We use them on our fleet of over 250 units. They warm everything from a C-10 Cat to our 3512 Cats (V12 twin turbo, puts out 2250 HP) and 16V-149 2-stroke Detroits (puts out 1800 HP)

 

[JohnE]

me me me

Yep, I got an Espar, too. I love it!

<blockquote><em>as Wheaties said:

&quot;They aren't cheap, they are a bear to install, but they are worth it!&quot;</em> </blockquote>

Matt forgot one thing, they are tough on batteries, especially if you go with an aftermarket brand that is not equivalent to OEM in reserve capacity (RC). I stuck in a pair of Exides as I got them cheap and they barely handle the current draw of the Espar and then starting the Cummins at -30&deg;F. I froze them a couple times before I learned to be more careful on the recharge cycle.



My first unit died after a month (not from the batteries). Matthew at Espar helped me troubleshoot until we confirmed, for some reason, the coolant circulating pump impeller came loose. Replaced the entire unit and no more troubles. In fact, I was a bad boy and didn't run the unit this summer. I finally fired it up in one Saturday in September and it ran perfect. (Maintenance manual says to run it monthly. )



I often use it when the Cummins is running, especially if the family is shopping and we're jumping from area to area and temps are sub-zero. I often let it run after shutting off the Cummins, too. Sometimes, I let them both run while shoping. It really keeps things warm.



The Espar control unit (timer) will accept a trigger from your alarm system, too. Really handy if you don't want to let it run while you are gone or forget to set the timer.



You can get most heaters in gasoline or fuel powered units. Webasto is most popular in North America, but I think Espar has the edge in the European market.



The post about an exhaust brake is very valid. PowerStrokes have an exhaust valve (not a brake) for helping the engine warm. My brother has a 2002 and I am really impressed with the short amount of time it takes to get up to operating temperature. He says it warms faster than his Explorer.



One more drawback, if you live in a very cold climate (me) you must either blend the fuel or use lots of snake oil to prevent gelling. The Cummins doesn't care. The Espar has to sip fuel through an 1/8" line. It does care.



Another thing that is free and really helps winter driving. Remove your radiator fan.



diesel on (warmly)

-John



PS

sorry for the long post.



<small>edit; corrected grammar and spelling</small>

 

[Wheaties]

JohnE,



Good information. I didn't know the Espar would do that to Exides. We had a very mild winter here in CT, so I can't say the batteries were really put through their paces. I'm not sure, but I think the current draw is pretty low, 5-15amps if I recall. But even a dome light over a long enough time will really drain down a battery. I've also seen posted here on the TDR that you should make sure the heater fan in the cabin is set on low. It will suck down the juice too.



My father had a heater on a 36' sailboat, not sure which one, but he swore up and down the Espar was a better heater than the Webasto. Either he wished he'd spent the money and had one, or he was very glad he did... (?)



I got the remote for it a little later, and I have to say, it isn't what they show in the owner's manual. If I had to guess, I'd say the manual reflects what they sell in Europe, the FCC probably has other ideas about frequency and strength a remote should have, so you end up with a generic American model.



I got my exhaust brake this summer so I haven't been able to use it for warm up yet. I agree that it helps get things up to temp sooner, but so does putting the Cummins to work. That's still the fasted way to warm the engine. The exhaust brake puts a light load on the engine at idle, making it call for more fuel, so there's more heat getting made.



The thing to avoid if you want your engine to last 'forever' is wash-down of the cylinder walls as fuel condenses onto that cold surface. My guess is that, while the exhaust brake will minimize that time, the pre-heating will eliminate it.



Matt

 

[JHansen]

Add me to the list of the Espar club members . Mine's been in now for over a year... ... pretty much all trouble free. I had one instance of a no-start... can't even remember the code that came up but it was right after driving in a bunch of new fluffy snow so I suspect either the combustion air or exhaust tubes were plugged. Next start it worked and has worked flawlessly ever since. I use mine every day to bring the engine up to temperature before starting! I have the remote as well-its range is not great but it does work well once you get close enough. I would second the comments the others have made about batteries... . I still have the factory batteries and did manage to pull them down enough 1 day with a couple of 2 hour Espar runs to have it shut down on low battery voltage.



Also have an exhaust brake that I use for warmup in extremely cold temps. Both together are a nice package-they do help to take the edge of Canadian winter!



Jason

 

[JohnE]

Cylinder wall wash? Oh yeah, that over valved thing... .



I didn't elaborate very well on the remote feature.

If you have an alarm system with an extra channel you can trigger the Espar unit. It works the same as the remote unit you purchase from Espar. You simply provide a ground to pin XX (don't remember which pin) in the timer module for a remote trip. It will cycle it on or off.



I see Webasto and Proheat in the 40k BTU size at work. I tried to get a Webasto compact unit, but at the time they were just hitting the US market. I got the Espar for a really really good price, too.



I got about half the install documented on my diesel website at

NW Bombers



If you have any questions, please email or PM.



-John

 

[KWentling]

This is my fourth year with the Espar. It's great! I have had a few problems, though. First had to learn that you have to keep additives in when it's down to about 15 degrees or below. Like was said above, the Cummins doesn't care, but the Espar does. Last year I had to replace the glow pin, about $40 with postage and an hour or so to replace. Just this past Thursday, I got a no start and a code (F30) for a frozen combustion air blower. I don't have the time to mess with it now as I'm trying to get my new shop dried in. (Then I'll have a place to do it out of the weather!) I haven't inquired as to the price of a new blower yet. I'll just go ahead and replace it rather than try to free it up. I'll call Interstate Diesel Monday and order one. They had the glow pin for me in two days. Sure do miss it. I had to scrape frost for the first time in a long time Saturday morning. I wouldn't have a diesel (or maybe even a gasser) with out one. Sure does spoil you.



Kim

 

[ACoyle]

Add me to the Espar list. Just wanted to add afew things. I have had a no start too. the code is something like F23. It means no fuel. The pickup in the tank does not go to the bottom. It will not draw fuel below 1/4 tank. Since I like to fuel up when I am as low as possible this takes some getting used to. The unit supposedly monitors the battery and leaves you a start. My worst case to date was a 1 1/2 hour run then drove about 10 miles and another 1 1/2 hour run. It then faithfully started.



Love my Espar unit.

 

[Wheaties]

Yes, I was getting an F23 just about anytime the tank was below half. Then I got smart and installed the fuel sender that came with the kit into the tank where it belongs. I know I told everyone they could use the auxiliary nipple built into the cap on the tank--it just isn't true--you need to drill the hole on the new ones, and put that metal tube down in!!!



Matt

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by 98rammer

Oh?? I'll keep that in mind...

:-laf :-laf

 

[jcbrown]

Timer Backlighting...

How many have installed (connected) this feature? Need to order pin from Espar and connect to running lights. Nice feature.



If you need extra backlighting bulb, e-mail -- email address removed --. I made the mistake of ordering two and received two bags of five each!

 

[JohnE]

jcbrown



Where did you mount the timer to take avantage of the backlighting. I tucked mine away on the glovebox (my wife doesn't keep <em>gloves</em> in there) shelf.



I'm trying to find the make and P/N of the contacts in the timer. Where did I put that file..... ?



-John