Has anyone installed a Webasto or Espar heater on RAM?

[wernergerman]

Has anybody installed an Espar or Webasto heater on the RAM?

I’ve heared some of you have done it. I propose to put a Webasto water heater in my truck,would like to hear from you, where you’ve mounted the unit,and where have you cut the coolant lines.

I propose to mount it on the left fender wall. inside of the engine compartment,but am not sure,is this a good place,because it’s relative high place,wouldn’t there collect air in the lines.

Thanks for the replies!

 

[JohnE]

I installed an ESPAR on my 97. ESPAR sells a complete kit specifically for the Dodge Ram. The heater unit is mounted on the left frame rail under the brake master cyliner unit. Coolant is taken fom a port on the engine block behind the fuel filter.

The return is tapped into the cab heater lines.



I know WEBASTO has a similar sized heater, but I do not know if a custom mounting kit is available.



Good luck

-John

 

[Dbonzi]

JohnE:

Where did yo get your Espar? and What did it cost you?

I called my local dealer in Mankato and they told me they would have to call espar and find out, as they have never sold one for a pickup. Did you get the hydronic 4? Do you like it?

 

[illflem]

From what I've gathered an Espar is a much easier install, they have one to custom fit a Ram with directions specific to it. With an Webasto every one is a custom fit by you, you have to fabricate a few of your own mounting brackets and and tap into wires, plugins for the electrical don't come with them. Upside with the Webasto is that they are cheaper and more trouble free. Webasto is what most big rigs use and is by far the most common engine heater sold.

 

[JohnE]

Dbonzi;

I purchased my ESPAR D4W Ram kit from <a href=http://www.istate.com target=_blank>Interstate Detroit Diesel</a>.

<ol type=1>I love the unit, but have had problems.

<li>The installation instructions were good, but could be better.

<li>My 5 year old batteries couldn't handle the drain of running the ESPAR <b>AND</b> starting the Cummins.

<li>I just removed the unit today. I get an overheat code when I run the unit without the Cummins running. It appears the internal circulation pump is faulty</ol>



Bill (illfelm) and LLiepina;

The ESPAR is not an easy installation even with the premade mounting brackets and detailed instructions. I think ESPAR has been making the compact units longer than Webasto. Webasto is the king in truck units over both ESPAR and ProHeat.



My unit is going back to Interstate on Monday. It was a bugger to remove, too. I suppose the mild 20&deg; F temps and blowing snow didn't help with my mood? Yes, I did it outside!



-John

 

[wernergerman]

John E my condolences to you,for the heroic deed in the snow,hope you’ll get it back soon. I have had these devices over a period of 12 years,if it was only without the Cummins running,it must be a circulation pump.

One more advice: get a free time battery ( one,which is made for the light etc,not one for the starts)it lasts longer,and a relay for the charging. I had the same problem,when slept in my VOLVO in winter. It lasted only for some 10 hours with a normal starting battery.

I have installed a couple of them in different vehicles and don’t need a special kits,I’ll make them all myself. Besides they are pretty similar Webasto & Espar,Espar is only a trade name for America,in Germany they are sold under the name Eberspecher,and parts are exchangeable between it and Webasto. I have a Webasto unit and a remote control from Eberspecher,they are compatible,All from the same kitchen. There were small faults,but it has worked a long time impeccably ,and now it’ll come into my goat.

Has it produced enough heat for the cab,how long time it needed to warm the engine up?

How much they cost in the USA?

Is it easy to access it mounted on the frame rail,from the top or the bottom?

 

[Alaskaskiff]

I have heard of fellas up in Canada using larger units than the D4w (4kw) ones, but I would think that at some point room is going to be a problem. I have the dodge specially made kit and to me it is worth it for the bracket alone. It uses a space under the steering shaft that I could not engineer without a lot of aggravation. The unit in its final location is HARD to get to from either side, but easier from the bottom by pulling the starter and front shaft. The wiring uses factory connections, is the right length and plugs right in. At -15 C it takes about an hour and 10 minutes to have comfortable cab heat (thermostat set at 115 C) before blower circuit kicks in. Best price I found was from ESPAR of Michigan at 1800-837-3900.

 

[Mactruck]

I talked to CPFF the other day while I was getting some Amsoil products and I guess he is becoming a dealer for the Webasto heaters.

He should be installing one soon on his rig. He had also mentioned the possibility of getting a price break for multiple units. I'm waiting to see how the Webasto performs with our Rigs.

 

[JohnE]

araiha;

Access to the ESPAR is much better from the bottom IF you have the tools at hand to pull the starter. I have a 2wd so an axleshaft is no problem.



LLiepina;

I am very familiar with Webasto products as that is what we install in our buses. This includes fuel powered and CNG powered units. Preventative maintenance is the key to ALL performance woes. I chose ESPAR or Eberspecher as they have Engineered a package for the Dodge Ram application. Webasto has a compact heater, but does not offer a Dodge application the USA.



The output of the ESPAR goes to the cab heater first. It produces an excess of cab heat IMO (In My Honest Opinion). I ran my unit for 60 minutes and the cab and engine were both very warm. This was at approximately 20&deg; F. After the first initial runs, my batteries did not last.



In North America (NA) the three battery ratings are Cranking Amps (CA); Cold Cranking Amps (CCA); and Reserve Amperage (RA). A good diesel battery combines all three properties.



ALL:

I changed to synthetic 5W-30 engine oil last week. For moderate winter conditions, I would suggest that route instead of a supplemental heater (ESPAR, Webasto). It really helps the cold starts.



-John