Should I be afraid of BlueHeat?

[DHayden]

I have tried quite a few places to try and get a blue heat thermo heater and they are adamant about not selling them outright. They say it has to be installed by a certified Webasto installer because of the fire risk.

I somewhat understand but espar will sell a heater outright, are they not worried there unit will catch your truck on fire? I have 16 years of helicopter maintenance experience and if I can't figure out a truck heater I'm in trouble.

I guess it just worries me that they won't ship them out, that they HAVE to be installed by their certified dealer. I have found one person who may ship me out a unit but he hasn't called me back yet.

It's not so much I am defiant about having it installed, there just aren't any dealers in my state or surroundings.

 

[Signal73]

PM Torque This. He is in the process of installing one as we speak.

 

[rbattelle]

That's interesting. I was looking at the BlueHeat as well, but I absolutely refuse to let anyone else install anything on my fuel system (it's custom).



-Ryan

 

[DHayden]

I don't think it would interfere with your fuel system. They drill a whole in the top of your tank and run its own fuel pick up and lines.

 

[rbattelle]

I don't think it would interfere with your fuel system. They drill a whole in the top of your tank and run its own fuel pick up and lines.

My fuel system is pre-plumbed to accept a heating unit, but I'm the only person on Earth qualified to do the work.



-Ryan

 

[GLanduyt]

Not to bad mouth Webasto but they are old technology compared to Espar. Anyone with any mechanical ability can install these heaters. The Webasto guys just want to get into your pocket a little deeper.



I would recommend the Espar Hydronic D5S, same btu rating but half the size of a regular D5SC and much easier to install because its smaller. The boiler, fuel and water pump are all separate on the S model instead of all in one package.



On 2003 models and newer we put the boiler under the passenger side battery and mount the water pump on the firewall very close to heater core. The fuel pump we mount on a cross member right by the fuel tank.



No matter waht heat you use drop the tank and put the pickup in it. Much more realable than putting a tee in the fuel line. I have been there and done that.



Greg

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Well, I should have it up and running tomorrow. It is an easy install, just very time consuming. The directions are very vague and are for a 12 valve motor. But it is going pretty smooth. I have about 10 hours into the install. Probably another 2 tomorrow and that should do it.

The fuel tank does come down and a pick up for the Webasto is installed in the vent line. To drop the tank you need to drop the drive shaft also.

It is taking more time than I expected, but I am also removing my PE4200 and installing a FASS pump. Removing some old wiring, tank, compressor from an air horn, and a few other odds and ends to clean up and install.

I got the heater from Fred at FishingCreek Transportation in PA.

 

[DMcLeod]

Greg-After hearing your response "old technology" for the second time, I must respond. I have not yet purchased a heater and am considering Webasto vs Espar. The way I see it they both use the same technology. Pumps, timers, burners... In fact it is very surprising how similar they are! They are almost identical. I'll tell you that Webasto's are more common in Alaska where folks really depend on these heaters. None of them look fun to install. I'd like to see an honest comparison of the two. I'll keep looking.

 

[DHayden]

I'd like to know how the technology is different also. Not knocking either one but Espar is the one I heard about the most over the years, which also means its the one I have seen the most complaints about. Mainly with the wik or it not starting. The blue heat looks straight and I guess since this is the first I had seen of it that it was "newer". Obviously that may not be the case. The thing I liked about the blue heat is it burns less fuel then the Espar at the same BTU level. Does the Espar come with a key fob to remote start it?

 

[TORQUE THIS]

The Espar I have seen looks basically the same in apperance, size and weight as the Espar.

The Webasto has a external mounted coolant pump, and fuel pump. The Espar is all encased in one unit.

I did not get the key remote, just the daily timer. I am going to have my remote start / keyless entry remote wired to the controller for the Webasto. I have 4 functions that are not being used.

One thing with the Webasto is that you can select between heating and ventilation or both. Not sure with the Espar.

Got it up and running yesterday, WORKS GREAT!!!! No bugs...

 

[DHayden]

What did you pay for your BlueHeat if you don't mind my asking? You can pm me if you rather.

 

[GLanduyt]

Just look at the connectors on the Webasto. Unless they have changed in the last year or two they are not weather tight, that leads to corrosion and trouble. Also the broads on the Webasto are not built nearly as well. Espars are embedded in epoxy so vibration and moisture is not sure an issue. We sell tons of the Espar and they just run and run without a hitch.

 

[nickleinonen]

No matter waht heat you use drop the tank and put the pickup in it. Much more realable than putting a tee in the fuel line. I have been there and done that.

exactally why i have a few different bulkhead fittings sitting at home. when the tank drops for the tank vent, there will be one for the vent, and one with a pickup tube welded to it. a -10 fitting might be a little large for the heater pickup, but later when i up the HP, i can swap the engine pickup to the -10 and move the heater pickup to the stock piping



[unless i still decide to run a small tank inline with the engine fuel system return piping to fill the tank for the heaters fuel... would get filled up every time the truck runs]

 

[DHayden]

A small seperate tank would be a decent idea. A ten or 15 gallon tank (about the size of an air tank) you could put the off road fuel in and save quite a bit of $ if you used it allot.

 

[GLanduyt]

I think one of the neatest tanks I have seen are used with 4 wheel atv's. They are only a couple of inches thick and about 18 by 30 or so inches. Would pack away very nice in the bed of the truck.



Greg