Eberspacher - Choosing/installing a system

Post by **smokeyjon** » 04 Aug 2008, 12:25

Not sure why I'm thinking about eberspachers in the middle of the summer but hey...

I'd quite like to fit one to my syncro panel van which features my own DIY interior. My van's diesel so that's helpful, but beyond that I'm not sure which one to go for, and more importantly (as I'll be scouring fleabay) what I need to set up a full and functional system:

- what bits do I need (actual unit, exhaust etc, thermostat)?
- where's the best place to mount them (Are they noisy etc? Any space saving ideas - I think I read somewhere that Mocki suggested under the dash for a D1LC)?
- what systems do the well known conversions (Westy etc) have?
- any lessons learned that I shouldn't repeat?!!
- any units cheaper than others (probably not the one's I'd want knowing my luck)
etc etc

Any advice would be welcome. I've read the WIKI and done searches, but found nothing giving general guidance about starting from scratch

Cheers in advance,
John

Post by **amazingdave** » 04 Aug 2008, 13:27

Hiya,

Find a D2 on ebay, most modern unit, loads about as they're fitted into lots of work vans...

Mines fitted to the floor under back seat (door side). The exhaust is taken from the door side over the prop shaft to a silencer pointing backwards on the opposite side to the sliding door (all so you can point the vent into the awning through the open door without getting fumes back in). The exhaust obviously gets very hot so it needs insulation where it passes coolant pipes etc.

Download the fiiting instructions from espar/ eberspacher and obey all the rules about fitting angles for the fuel pump... Also make sure the fuel pump has a rubber isolating mount for fitting as the ticking it makes can be a tad irritating otherwise.

The silencer is optional but you will really p*ss off your neighbours when camping if you haven't got one.

I bought a 7 day timer of flea bay with a built in thermostat, makes it easily controllable and you can set it to fire the heating before you go to work if the forecast is really cold....

I love my eberspacher...... even used it to dry someones dizzy cap last week.

Dave

Post by **R0B** » 04 Aug 2008, 13:29

a lot of us have the d1lc.they are small and compact.and a good few of us have them mounted under the glovebox...

Post by **Krisis** » 05 Aug 2008, 16:25

D1lc mounted in the passenger foot/floor well, saves on valuable storage space

Tap off the main diesel tank, saves on more storage space

Exhaust piped of one way air intake in the opposite, saves you from choking yourself

Control dial fitted into the dash, just above the glove box

Ooh the heat transfered to the rear by a bit of flexi pipe (heat rated) and the table leg slid in for an extension

Have fun

Post by **ringo** » 05 Aug 2008, 17:35

I sacrificed a bit of storage space by sticking my DL1C under the rock and roll bed. The controls are right where i want them and i dont have to get out of bed to switch it on

Ringo

Post by **slobbo** » 05 Aug 2008, 21:32

If you can get everything cheap then great otherwise get a Propex Heatsource. You can buy a new unit for circa £300 whereas a used Eber will set you back less to buy but you'll still need to buy bits and pieces. Also if the eber breaks your up for big bucks for parts. A fuel pump is around £80 if I remember correctly.

I bought an Eber then sold it again when I tallied up the price of the extra bits I needed. I then bought the Propex and would do again. It's brilliant.

Post by **smokeyjon** » 05 Aug 2008, 22:03

Cheers all. I'm loving the idea of a 7-day timer amazing dave. That sounds toastier than our central heating!

I like the idea of the D1Lc mounted under the dash somewhere as I need all the space under the r n r for all the camping stuff, toys and other rubbish we carry around everywhere with us (I also fear it would get damaged when brutally wrenching out the windbreak or similar). I suppose I could try to mount one behind one of the side (rear wheel arch) panels if they're small enough, but I'm not sure what I'd do with the gases then..

If I mount one in the cab (eg glovebox area), does that mean that the controls, thermostat etc have to be mounted there or can I control it remotely? I think I read somewhere that the loom shouldn't be extended due to voltage drop so I assume that rules this out?

If mounted near the glovebox, can the inlet exhaust be through the bulkhead (perhaps behind the grill) or is it better to go through the floor?
Cheers again
John

Post by **amazingdave** » 06 Aug 2008, 06:56

You can fit any of the units under the glovebox, I'm pretty sure the D2 is smaller...

The controls can be mounted remotely. The only cables to worry about are the earth and feed to the main unit, the earth can always be nice and short, the positive should be in heavy cable to avoid voltage drop.

My controls are about 3 metres from the unit (only about 1 metre as the crow flies) I extended the loom with 1mm2 equipment wire. My Eber is about 3 metres of cable away from my battery (heavy gauge alternator cable).

I covered ours with the metal enclosure it came with to stop the windbreak scenario (out of a BT van).

There's no way you'd fit one into the rear panels, unless you mean in a cupboard?

Dave

Post by **smokeyjon** » 06 Aug 2008, 16:13

OK Dave cheers. I shall keep an eye out for both D1LCs and D2s on ebay and see what comes up. I expect the dimensions of both will be on the eberspacher site (it seems to be comprehensive)

I'd rather go for an eber rather than gas as I've heard that propexs have their own issues (needing ventilation etc) and I already carry a big tank full of diesel

Cheers all for the advice, I now have an idea what to look for. Price is ALWAYS an issue so I'll see what I can find out there!
John