What is an Eberspracher?

[pipster]

My multivan has got a (slightly wobbly and non-working) Eberspracher unit on the front console and the passengers have got control dials I'm assuming it's a heater of sorts but have a few questions:
1. is it a heater unit?
2. If it is then what does it do that my actual heater unit can't?
3. If it isn't then what is it?
4. Is it worth getting fixed?
5. Anything else I should know?

thanks for your time,
Pipster

[California Dreamin]

My multivan has got a (slightly wobbly and non-working) Eberspracher unit on the front console and the passengers have got control dials I'm assuming it's a heater of sorts but have a few questions:
1. is it a heater unit?
2. If it is then what does it do that my actual heater unit can't?
3. If it isn't then what is it?
4. Is it worth getting fixed?
5. Anything else I should know?

thanks for your time,
Pipster

1) It is a blow heater (heats up and blows hot air into the vehicle).
2) Your 'actual' heater rely's on your engine to be running as it uses the engines coolant 'hot water' as the heat source. Your Eberspacher burns petrol or diesel fuel (depending on your engine type) to produce heat to warm up the air, so works without the engine running.
3) It is
4) Yes but parts can be expensive.
5) The Ebber needs at least 11 volts to work so the leisure battery really needs to be in good condition...check the fuses in the fuse box mounted on the nearside (pavement side) 'B' pillar...near the seat belt reel. The Ebber has the RED 25amp fuse..make sure it is intact and tight in the fuse holder. When it starts 'blowing' from the vent, it goes through a warm up cycle so usually takes 2 - 3 minutes to start blowing warm.
You will hear a ticking noise as the fuel pump starts to work...like I say, after a minute or so into it's warm up cycle.
If it's like mine...then turn the rotory dial to 6-7 and click the rocker switch backwards towards the seat. (backwards is hot air, middle position is off, forwards is cold air only)

Not wishing to complicate things here...but some vans do have TWO 'normal' heater controls...by normal I mean two heater matrix's and vent controls to the rear of the cab...this is completely seperate to 'An Ebberspacher'.

Martin

[pipster]

Thanks Martin,
The box on the front console that has the word 'Eberspracher' has (would have if working) a digital display. It's a small plastic box that resembles the digital clock you used to be able to buy so stick on...only slightly more complex. It could be that it controls a unit that doesn't exist any more as the van has had LPG fitted under the bed. P'raps the Ebber used to be there?
I'll do some more snooping,
thanks for the help
Pipster.

[California Dreamin]

The Ebber is usually mounted externally under the sliding door if it's a left hooker.
Big black rectangular box.

Martin