webasto, Eberspächer, water heaters, which one to get?

[Iain_U1250]

Standard muffler on the Webasto, it's the grey think on under the silver radiator.

 

[javajoe79]

I use Espar for heating in m y TC,very efficient and low power consumption..didnt know that one can heat drinking water with these???

I have been thinking of this for my build. Using a heat exchanger for a shower. One side plumbed to the heater and one to the on board water tank. I would also have a switching valve to divert heater flow to a radiator for cabin heat.

 

[Iain_U1250]

Pretty common over here in Australia

http://www.glind.com.au/

Make you you get a thermostatic mixing valve, the first blast of 85 Dec C water could really ruin your day.

I have been thinking of this for my build. Using a heat exchanger for a shower. One side plumbed to the heater and one to the on board water tank. I would also have a switching valve to divert heater flow to a radiator for cabin heat.

 

[Joe917]

I have been thinking of this for my build. Using a heat exchanger for a shower. One side plumbed to the heater and one to the on board water tank. I would also have a switching valve to divert heater flow to a radiator for cabin heat.

http://www.isotherm-parts.com/spa-line-water-heaters-c-4_34_107/

As Ian says nothing new here, these systems have been around in the boating world for decades. They work very well and diesel engines are a great source of free heat.

Ian, your muffler looks similar to mine, (mine is not a webasto muffler). Without the muffler it sounds like the airport!

 

[javajoe79]

I suppose having the electric heat option would be nice too but does anyone make one without the electric heater element?

 

[Joe917]

Search Google, I don't think the electric element can add much to the cost and it is a nice option if you stay put for more than a day or so. Of course you can heat the water with your Webasto/Esparcher as well.

 

[javajoe79]

Search Google, I don't think the electric element can add much to the cost and it is a nice option if you stay put for more than a day or so. Of course you can heat the water with your Webasto/Esparcher as well.

What size tank do you run? How fast does it recover if you use all the hot water?

 

[thebigblue]

I suppose having the electric heat option would be nice too but does anyone make one without the electric heater element?

The one I posted in #12 got the option, type ME.... you can get one without the electrical too, type M, see link in post.

 

[Joe917]

What size tank do you run? How fast does it recover if you use all the hot water?

The Spa 20, 5gal. That's enough for 2 showers, we only run out of hot water if we do a load of laundry. I have not noted recovery time but after driving (1hour) there is always hot water.

 

[javajoe79]

Ok good info.. Thanks! I think the 5 gal Spa would be ideal and the electric option is a nice bonus. Do you heat your cabin with the espar? Mine will be pretty small so I was thinking that a small liquid to air heat exchanger would work well to just radiate heat into the cabin

 

[Joe917]

We heat with a Webasto tied into the engine coolant cicuit feeding the heat exchanger in the Spa tank and 2 radiators.
We use this type of rad in the bathroom : http://canada.hudsonreed.com/heating/hydronic-towel-warmers.html
The cabin radiator has a thermostat on the valve, the bathroom is manual. If you heat with the Webasto it keeps the coolant at 70 degrees.