Installing an Espar without hooking up to engine plumbing

[bj3nk5]

Hi,

Has anyone hooked up an Espar without tapping into the engine coolant system?

I don't have a huge need to preheat the engine. I'm using the Espar for hot water and a heat-exchange cabin heater, so I want the Espar all the way in the back of the van. Seems much easier to just use a local coolant tank for it to pull from.

Any idea how big of a coolant tank should I have for it?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[fluffyprinceton]

Not tapping into the engine coolant circuit is common & makes the install easier. There's a minimum volume required - it's in the specs but the larger the coolant volume the less short cycling you'll have so the bigger the better up to a point...I've got a 5 gal tank in addition to a 2gal expansion tank + whatever volume in my 4 circuits so roughly 8-9 gallons. That's not too much - the only (very minor) downside is the size of the tank.Moe

 

[bj3nk5]

Not tapping into the engine coolant circuit is common & makes the install easier. There's a minimum volume required - it's in the specs but the larger the coolant volume the less short cycling you'll have so the bigger the better up to a point...I've got a 5 gal tank in addition to a 2gal expansion tank + whatever volume in my 4 circuits so roughly 8-9 gallons. That's not too much - the only (very minor) downside is the size of the tank.Moe

Yikes. that's a lot of Volume. Maybe I'll just tap into the coolant afterall. I don't have a place to put another 7 gallons in my van. And if I did, i'd take more fresh water

Guess that answered the question.

Thank you!!!

 

[fluffyprinceton]

Guess that answered the question.

Actually no it doesn't...My Webasto TL17 when mounted independently (not plumbed into the engine cooling system) requires just 3 gallons as a minimum. So you have to find the volume required by your specific model. Moe