Diesel Heater Information required

[andy04]

I purchased and had fitted an eberspacher diesel heater some 2 weeks ago and have had in on since it got extremely cold and has been on since however, somebody informed last week that you should never leave them on either attended or unattended - I thought that this was why we have them fitted on boats? I have asked the dealer but still no answer from them, does anyone know the answer?

Thank you

[lockhart]

I don't know the answer but I know a man that does! Try Brian Greenwood (I think that's his name) at Stalham Staithe. His workshop has big green doors and is just yards from the staithe on the way to Tescos. I think its called Marine Services 01692 582239 p.s. we've got an eberspacher on our boat and it was going great until yesterday. What a fine time to break down. We're having to use electric fires and thats very expensive where we are. martin

[Roy]

I've never got on with Wabasto or Eberspacher diesel heaters
in any of the boats we've had.
Ours were always breaking down.

Sorry I cant help on this one Andy
Not sure I would want to leave it running continually when unattended though. (just in case something went wrong)

I would take Martins advice if that was me.    

[paul]

we have webasto heating and never hesitate to leave it running, if need be for the evening while we go out for a meal or whatever. never had a problem doing that. batts might need charging after but thats about it. paul

[andy04]

Thanks for all your answers and yes I will speak to Brian Greenwood walk past there quite often. I do feel safe leaving it on all night unattended but when somebody puts a doubt in your mind you tend to check it out.

So far the eberspacher on our boat is brilliant and keeps the boat extremely warm and it is cheaper to run than electricity - I use about 25 litres over a ten day period (£25 plus) and electric heaters (£3 per day)

Sorry about your heater Martin hope you get it fixed soon and not to expensive - would be interested to know what the problem was though - just in case.

[lockhart]

thanks Andy. The last time it 'broke down' it was because we had stupidly put something on top of it and activated the little cut-off button(won't do that again, had it all out, wires everywhere) but this time I havn't a clue. I supose i'll have to get someone to look at it... more money but, hey, that's boating. martin

[andy04]

Hi all

Yes I did speak to Brian, Martin and he agreed that you can leave the eberspacher on either whilst there or not as this what it is designed for and I have left it running whilst I was away for New Year (3 nights at my daughters) and when I returned all was ok and the boat was boasting a nice temperature of 15 degrees - wonderful. I have just ordered a timer for the heater now so that I can programme to come on and go off whenever.

Thanks all anyway for your thoughts.

[lockhart]

you're welcome. ours is still not working so i'll have to go and see him i suppose.

[Roy]

Pleased you got a good result on your heater Andy..

Got to keep nice and warm this weather..

[lockhart]

Andy, out of iterest , how much fuel did your heater use for those three days? martin

[andy04]

Hi Martin

I use approx 25 litres every ten days with the heater set at 18 degrees which is not too bad during the winter period. It would be a lot more if I still had my house. I am using white diesel from Tesco as because I can get 5 pence a litre off after doing my shopping there which is not much more then red diesel. White diesel is also better and recommended for the Eberspacher.

Glad I did get it though.

Andy

[lockhart]

Thanks Andy., that's not bad at all.I've got ours going again now, it was only the 5amp,19ml glass fuse in the 'Brain' but they are difficult to get hold of, although ours is a very old model. Yours might have the better spade fuses. martin. .... ps. sorry about the jokes.

[lockhart]

We're told that 'White' diesel is better for the engine/heater than 'Red'. Does anyone know if this is really true and if so how bad is red and why?

[Roy]

Jan 26, 2010 12:19:44 GMT lockhart said:

We're told that 'White' diesel is better for the engine/heater than 'Red'. Does anyone know if this is really true and if so how bad is red and why?

Interesting!

Lets start a new thread to look into it..
CLICK HERE for: Red V White Diesel

[andy04]

Hi

I have been informed by many people ("experts") that it is far better to use white diesel than it is to use red diesel, especially marine red diesel as this is by far the worst sort. When I had my eberspacher heater fitted last year and was informed that white was better I have been filling up with white from Tesco with 2x 25L jerrycans and seems to be ok albeit pennies dearer and I shall do the same next winter as it works for me.

Since November when heater fitted I have had the heater on every day all day and have spent £155 which is quite good this also includes running the engine and cruising - when able.

Andy