what heater ? pros n cons please ?
 

looking for some thoughts on which heater to buy for the new iveco.

As far as I can see there's 3 options;

1) diesel space heater eg webasto or eberspecher.
2) diesel water based engine heater with some form of radiant heat plumbed in, eg a small radiator.
3) lpg space heater, for example the one offered by truma. like this : TRUMA E2400 LPG GAS HEATER VW T25/T4/T5 TRANSPORTER CAMPER/CAMPERVAN/VAN on eBay!


I have minimal budget and so looking to buy s/h.

Though favouring the diesel space heaters, there are the issues of altitude, in our experience over 2000metres and they won't work. There is also the issue of the power demand on startup which can be quite considerable.

The engine heater based systems have the advantage of course of their primary function but then how good would they be as a radiant heater? and of course they also have the same altitude and power demand issues.

I have little knowledge of the Truma LPG systems? what are the pros and cons? These appear to be about half the price of a diesel heater but rarely appear second hand.

tossing this idea around in my head andwould really appreciate peoples thoughts / expereinces / advice ???



and; anybody have a second hand unit available ?

phil

www.philflanagan.com

Hi Phil, what about a propex heater, there are lots for sale on ebay and can be run on butane or propane.:thumbup1:

regards
Gren

Phil,

Here are my remarks based on years of tinkering with overland tech projects using Webasto and Eberspacher

1) diesel space heater eg webasto or eberspecher.

Pros: easy to fit, runs on same fuel as engine, rather efficient, no major issues with fuel/current drain, inexpensive, reliable

Cons: noisy in operation, little control over output temperature, not nice to live with in unventilated spaces (due to dehumidification efect)

P.S. Not sure why they should refuse to work at altitudes over 2000 metres

2) diesel water based engine heater with some form of radiant heat plumbed in, eg a small radiator.

Pros: runs on same fuel as engine, in cold climate keeps engine in running order, runs quieter if fitted in the engine compartment, no major issues with fuel/current drain no dehumidification efect

Cons: interferes with the engine cooling circuit, failure may lead to engine problems, more expensive to fit and maintain, plumbing needs insulation, less efficient than 1)

Sorry, no experience with LPG space heaters yet.

Log burner? WOODBURNER OVEN STOVE YURT, HOUSE, CAMPER, BOAT, , CARAVAN, SHEPHERDS HUT ETC | eBay

where you intend traveling is a significant factor , as getting diesel is a lot easier than lpg and suitable adapters etc . The lpg heaters usually generate a lot of moisture , and you need good ventilation if in enclosed area due CO risks . Unless you go indirect and have a radiator type system with blown air optional.
If you are going cold climates the engine heater type are handy as mentioned previous poster, the blown air type do tend to be a bit noisy, but you do get used to it over time, as lorry drivers prove. The high alt should not be a problem certainly on the webasto , not sure on eberspacher . HTSH

Woodburner has plusses as well:cool4:

Actually, they do. I can confirm that having used one in my overland truck.
Availability of free fuel is one (maybe with the exception of the polar caps :cool4: ), and the low tech reliability is another. It can also double as a small cooker and clothes dryer. On the downside, it is bulky, smelly and rather messy to clean and requiries good ventilation. But the biggest problem is that it needs stoking up in the middle of the night because it offers no heat storage at all.

Hi

I didn't mean to be flippant suggesting a logburner. I had written a big reply then binned it, I have an Eberspacher and love it, and you can buy an adapter for altitude. But I'm not sure diesel heating (plus big batteries to run it and decent charging for them) fits into low budget. If you do buy a used one make sure it either has a warranty or you can see it running as parts can add up to a new one :)

Feel the heat
 

Hi Phil

I often use an Eberspacher in the truck and love it. They are in a box usually under the passenger seat or cab and just makes a humming noise which I like, and a bit of whooshing from the fan.

I don't know about start up demand, but can be planned into the battery solar set up? If the thermostat is in the right place the temperature control is fine, and you can duct the heat to anywhere you want.

I have a Webasto water heater for sale if you want one, I have never used it but it was bench tested by Smiths and works. I bought a new fuel pump for it, £100!

Cheers

Bruce

eberspacher it is then
 

Hi Bruce
Just yesterday won an ebay for two eberspachers. It's what we had before and so I know the pros n cons.
We seriously considered the water heater route but decided a dedicated space heater was way to go, too much plumbing and too much 'demand' to have hot water storage.
We've had 7 years experience with 100 litres and a boil it as you need approach. decided to keep it all simple and stay with that.
Thanks for the offer on the webasto.
Are you attending the HUBB meet at end of month?
we are, in a big ugly iveco square box ambulance looking like it's only just started it's conversion !
maybe see you there.

phil.

Possibly you didn't have a particularly good burner ? My old Portway Tortoise used to stay on tickover for around 2 days with good wood, it wasn't big either, about 10" diameter by 26" high, found in a scrapyard and kept me warm through 5 different trucks over 15 years, now it's heating a mates front room.
The best thing about them is the simplicity, they don't break down or require any expense to run other than foraging for wood.....

I have a propex heater running in my LWB high top transit, it has been very reliable and it keeps me nice and cosy. I bought it second hand off thiefbay and phoned up propex for some bits of pipe and advice fitting it. The chap was great, even talked me out of buying the control unit advising that a standard household roomstat would do the trick nicely. I use a big battery I got from a UPS that was being routinely replaced which is on a split charger when the van is running

I normally don't need it when sleeping in the UK any time of year, running it for a while before getting ready for my pit and again in the morning before crawling out of bed again.

I have it ducted to heat just the cab, just the load area or both; great for frosty mornings, I fire it up a while before I go off to work and the van is defrosted and warm. Also nice to have somewhere warm for tea-breaks and lunch when working outside all day.