Ordered Espar

[JPM]

I ordered a Espar heater to be installed Tuesday by an outfit in Davenport Iowa. I figured what the hey, way too much money but if I waited it would be spring before I'd have my tax refund, and I would'nt need it then. Whip out the plastic ,its the American way, Mastercard!! They said the model specific kits are no longer available and only the universal ones can be ordered. That and the price went up! Is there anything I should know about the install?

 

[AGrubbs]

If you don't mind my asking, how much did they quote for the install? I called a shop in Omaha and they said they had not done one on a '03, and would check into it and never got back to me. I called a place in Souix Falls, said they have not done one, would check into it but expected about $750. 00 for the install!



I said no thanks...



Saw a guy who sells oil and bypass filters and other things for diesel who said $250. 00 to install on the web page. . Lube specialists He's in Indianna, which would be a bit of a drive, but for $500 diff. it would almost be worth it for me to drive there, if it was not winter already. .





Drive ON!

 

[Big Wheel]

I live in Michigan near the place that makes them and sells them thay quoted me $1700. 00 installed I justed laughed and told them no thank you.

 

[JakeGMCHD]

Guys

The Espar heaters are not that hard to install. I bought the universal kit and installed it myself. I would do it all over again.

 

[Metalaram]

ESPAR

i just had an espar D5 installed two weeks ago in my 03 and for the most part i love it. the only problem im having is with the fan controls. the truck heater fan does not work when the espar is on and when it is off and the truck is running it only works on high. the shop is working on the problem and im sure it will be fixed they did get a new heater control from dodge but it did not fix it. other than that it works sweet! i go out to my truck about an hour before i leave work push the button and when i leave the temp Gage is at about 170 and the heat is instant. much better than plugging it in and it takes half the time. the D5 was 1550. 00 plus you need a 47 dollar part with it and installed it was 2117. 00 they quoted me 10 hours of labor but it took them more than 20. but they stuck to the quoted price. the guy who said he did his own must be a mechanic or a rocket scientist (hats off to you though) but i would not try it. it is German made and built and though they make great stuff it is quite technical and complicated. good luck!

 

[Alaskaskiff]

I would be interested in knowing where you folks have mounted the espar on your trucks and also where you plugged into the coolant system.



I have my D4 that I am migrating from my 96 to my 2004 truck and will have to 'universal' the install to work.



Thanks

 

[JPM]

I hope I don't have any problems, its waaay too much money. It was quoted $1500 plus the extra $50 for the universal kit and taxes. So about $1600 out the door.

 

[Metalaram]

mine is mounted on the outside of the frame under the passenger door you can just see a little bit of the exhaust pipe coming out of it from the side of the truck. it splices between the back of the motor and the heater core hoses. just be careful with the electrical connections i have herd from more than one good source that the 3rd gen wiring is a lot more complicated than in the past. most likely the fan may not be able to come on with the heater(truck off) its not a huge deal as soon as you start it the heat and defrog are warm and it takes no time to get warm in side. i am going to ***** at espar though since that is a part of the advertising that the truck is warm when you get in. in the mean time no cold starts for the motor makes me feel a lot better.

 

[nickleinonen]

likely the fan may not be able to come on with the heater(truck off)

i am thinking of installing an espar or webasto in the spring or summer to be ready for the next winter. however, i don't see why the heater core blower fan can't be made to run with the truck off... a few diodes and some transistors or relays and it won't be a problem at all... you just need to splice right into the fans power leads, not into the control circuits. have a diode inline from the factory controlled power sourse to stop back flow when the fan is powered/controlled by the preheater. have an other diode inline with the preheaters control line to prevent back flow from the factory heater controls when the truck is running, and have a NC relay controlling the power from the preheater to the fan, so when the truck is turned on, the relay opens cutting off the control power from the preheater to the fan, so only the factory controls will power the fan...



it sounds like a lot of work, but i don't think it is too much. now it would be nice to have it controlled by the preheater unit right from the factory, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal to make it work if you are not scared of some creative wiring...

 

[Alaskaskiff]

The older set-up plugged right into the wiring harness for the heater blower. This happened real close to the blower motor and went around the majority of the circuitry by providing an independent power source run thru the espar control



I have attached a link of a previous espar discussion that I started some time back as well



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85218&highlight=espar

 

[dan.poitras]

JPM

I have been mounting them under the pass floor up against the frame. Be sure it's mounted inside an accessory box to enclose it,

otherwise road / salt spray will cause the controller an early failure (ask me how I know?)

Also make sure they order the special harness for cab heater operation. It simply taps in "at " the heater motor.

Wiring diagrams etc are available on their web site

I've installed many espars and they improve on them every year.

 

[scotty1]

I can get a good deal on these.

I put a sale on these on the DTR site.



How does under 1200 USD with the timer sound?



If I am in violation of any rules, just let me know how to present this formally or properly.



email me for details.



We need a few more guys to get the group buy.



Scotty