heater in a syncro

[lloydy]

Bidding on two diesel heaters today, one is a hydronic thats heats the coolant and will be fitted in the engine bay. The other is a 'normal' airtronic blown air type that will be under the r&r bed. Is there anything wrong with fitting a hydronic one in a syncro? [ are they waterproof?] Is there any other reasons + & - to go for one type more than the other?
I'm leaning towards the hydronic as it gives more space inside. But most people seem to have the blown air one, is this just a money thing?
Lloyd

[jed the spread]

The coolant heater ones are really good because they, well, heat the coolant. Good as the timer for them basically turns the unit on and after about ten minuets or so when the coolant is hot it kicks in your heaters in your van and it thaws the van out. Also good for sub zero temperatures as your engine is warm before you even start it up. The problem with them is that they are quite involved in the fitting of them and they arnt as efficient as the hot air blower ones.

I would get the air blower one if I were you but they are usually more expensive. Worth noting though before you get caught up in ebay bidding is that the bloke on the 217 who does the BT vans sold me a few for £300 inc 7 day timer, pump, exhausts, ducting etc...

jed

[toomanytoys]

As Jed says, the "wet one" is great as it heats the cooling system giving some engine prewarming too.. but as it uses the interior fan it will suck a lot more power for overnighting and will be a lot noisy...

I have a webasto "wet one" in the doka.. great for defrosting etc...

I'd go for the blown air one for camping really...

[lloydy]

Might well end up going to the one on the 217..
I've found a blown air one that at the moment is 100 euros, out of a T4 with timer exhaust ect. And a hydronic one for the same money with timer exhaust, silencer loom ect. Granted they will probably end up being a lot more money by the end of the day.
Never though about power usage, i suppose the 'wet'one uses starter battery, due to having to use the fans for front and rear heater.
Shame really as i like the idea of the hydronic.
Guess i'll concentrate on blown air one.
If i cant get one on the net for at least half of that £300, i'll go to the guy on the 217, just for peace of mind

[..lee..]

just make sure it working they are expensive to fix.

[lloydy]

Well hopefully got myself a bargain, an eber compact with pump, stat, wiring, exhaust, air ducting and serviced with a new glow plug. Should only need to get a silencer.
£300. Not from the guy on the A217, his are now on ebay for over £300
Lloyd

[guzzi]

If you dont want to use the high elec consumption standard heater fans you can get a little radiator that is powered by a computer fan for a "wet" Eber system: -



You can see it here on the top of the pile in the middle.

Also heed everyone’s advice re complication of fitting, not a 1 day job (although i am making a bit (lot) of a meal of mine!)

[ninja.turtle007]

If you dont want to use the high elec consumption standard heater fans you can get a little radiator that is powered by a computer fan for a "wet" Eber system: -



You can see it here on the top of the pile in the middle.

Also heed everyone’s advice re complication of fitting, not a 1 day job (although i am making a bit (lot) of a meal of mine!)

Tin of toms??

[guzzi]

i would love to say its an integral part of the system, but there for scale only..

I prattle on about fitting it from about here on.......

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=59035&start=225

[lloydy]

If you dont want to use the high elec consumption standard heater fans you can get a little radiator that is powered by a computer fan for a "wet" Eber system: -



You can see it here on the top of the pile in the middle.

Also heed everyone’s advice re complication of fitting, not a 1 day job (although i am making a bit (lot) of a meal of mine!)

Looks a pricey bit of kit! Doesn't look like much change from 2K.
In a perfect world would like something like you've done, but even when you spend big you get problems as i see your getting. Would be ideal to have both. Does yours only run the eber matrix, or do the VW matrix fans come on as well?
You've got a nice bus there, when's the spending stopping/offroading starting? Will be good to see it in the flesh

[guzzi]

yes, i think you have hit the nail on the head, far from a plug and play... although it was sold openly to me as a kit for a very different van so didn’t expect to just chuck it in also, as with just about everything i have done, i often make a rod for my back because i want to do it a certain way, plus i think i like fannying arond with it a bit too much

I think all the big spending has now stopped, which is just as well! but i did go into it with my eyes open (largely speaking.....!)

to be honest i am not really into the going off road for the sake of it thing. I mainly want to be able to camp where a lot of people would find it hard to reach. I love off road bikes though.... i am wonder what the best bike to take with you would be, small and light but capable....

I can run all fans with it which is useful for the demist function but as suggested it would drain the battery fast, to heat the van it won't be necessary if the Eber claims are to be believed. If i wanted to reduce the cost i am sure you could somehow attach a computer fan or two to the standard rear matrix..?

[lloydy]

I mainly want to be able to camp where a lot of people would find it hard to reach.

The exact reason i bought mine. Although having attended the last greenlaning day in surrey, the two do go hand in hand. Just make it a more relaxed affair with plenty of stops for tea/beer and scenery, followed by an overnight stop with friends/family. The tricky bit's can always be avoided